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Hypnosis Information

Christopher Orr, MA, LMHP, PC, CHT
Certified Hypnotherapist

 Christopher Orr

Definition

According to Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness and heightened responsiveness to suggestion; it may be induced in normal persons by a variety of methods and has been used occasionally in medical and psychiatric treatment.  Most frequently hypnosis is brought about through the actions of an operator, the hypnotist, who engages the attention of a subject and assigns certain tasks to him or her while uttering monotonous, repetitive verbal commands; such tasks may include muscle relaxation, eye fixation, and arm levitation.

How it works

The best way to view hypnosis is as a state of intense relaxation and concentration.  According to Olafur Palsson (Clinical Hypnosis:  "Something for you?"), hypnosis is not sleep, and yet is not really a waking state either; it depends on attention and concentration, and still is most often characterized by letting go and relaxing. 

The American School of Hypnosis states that in this relaxed state, the subconscious part of the mind is best able to respond creatively to suggestion and imagery.  It can focus on the things you wish to change and on the ways you can best do so, free from analytical or anxious thoughts.  You are not asleep, nor are you unconscious.  You let things happen through your subconscious mind rather than trying to make them happen with your conscious mind.  Because you are deeply relaxed, the suggestions given to you by the hypnotist will be acted upon more easily by the subconscious.  Posthypnotic suggestions are those that will be carried out by you when you come out of the hypnotic state.

Conscious vs. Subconscious Mind

The conscious part of the human mind can only deal with a few things at any one time and is easily overloaded.  The subconscious part of the mind  works on auto pilot, reacting to the pleasure principle in that it seeks to avoid pain and obtain pleasure and survival, regardless of external considerations. 

Conscious Mind Left Right Subconscious Mind
  • Logic
  • Reason
  • Mathematics
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Language
  • Analysis
  • Ego
 a brain
  • Recognition
  • Rhythm
  • Visual
  • Imagery
  • Creativity
  • Dreams
  • Symbols
  • Emotion

Frequently Asked Questions

History of Hypnosis

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