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Definition: Hypnosis (hypnotism)

There is no agreed definition for the state of hypnosis, indeed some people have questioned whether or not hypnosis exists as a separate state from normal, waking experience. Hypnosis is normally defined as a state where there is a narrowing of focus. It is also referred to as 'trance' or 'hypnotic trance'. Hypnosis is a naturally occuring state and is commonly experienced in a number of ways, so called 'symptomatic trances' where a person becomes focussed on a problem, for example people with depression may become anxious and focus only the things they are anxious about, or an angry person is focussed on the target of their anger, missing out on the rest of the world around them. The hypnotic state is also noticed in for example top sports performers when peforming at their peak, 'in the zone' or in flow, when their sole focus of attention is on the task in hand, and they lose awareness of other distractions such as the crowd.

Milton Erickson, often called the 'father of modern hypnosis' defined trance as the 'loss of the multiplicity of focii of attention'

Hypnosis is also used for therapeutic purposes in hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy has been shown to be the most effective form of complementary therapy, because it works with the mind's natural way of changing and creating instinctive responses.

Further information

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*Hypnosis.me.uk - Hypnosis and hypnotherapy in the UK - resources, information and websites