History of hypnotherapy
Its origin goes back to many, many years ago. Many ancient cultures and civilizations knew of hypnosis and used it as a therapeutic device. Documents from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Indians, Chinese, Persians and Sumerians show extensive studies in hypnosis and
altered states of consciousness. Hypnosis was considered as a cure for many physical and emotional ailments and disorders.
In the 18th century the most influential figure in the development of hypnosis was Dr Frantz Anton Mesmer, an Austrian physician who used magnets and metal frames to perform "passes" over the patient to remove "blockages" (i.e. the causes of diseases) in the magnetic forces in the body and
to induce a trance-like state.
He soon discovered that he could reach equally successful results by passing his hands over the patient which he did for hours at times, he named this method "animal magnetism".
In 1841 a Scottish optometrist, Dr James Braid discovered by accident that a person fixating on
an object could easily reach a trance state without the help of the mesmeric passes advocated by
Dr Mesmer. He published his findings, refuted Mesmer's work and inaccurately named his discovery "hypnotism" based on the Greek word "hypnos" which means "sleep"; it was a total misnomer as hypnosis is not sleep; yet the name remained and mesmerism became hypnotism.
Sigmund Freud, was known to be the father of psycho-analysis. He used hypnosis in his early work but soon became disillusioned by the concept. It is believed he did not have the patience necessary for hypnosis and was not a good hypnotist. As we know he focused his attention on analysis and free association. In many ways his "defection" was damaging to hypnosis particularly in the context of psychology as it created enduring prejudices and misconceptions which have only started to fade in recent times.
With the development of psychoanalysis and the use of anesthetics, the interest in hypnosis somewhat declined; however in the beginning of the 20th century a Russian scientist worked on
the concepts and mechanisms of hypnosis. Ivan P. Pavlov is best known for his discovery of the conditioned reflex. After World War 1, hypnosis and its therapeutic uses experienced a revival when psychiatrists realized that soldiers suffering traumas (paralysis and amnesia) of a psychological rather than physical origin, they responded well to hypnosis and were rapidly cured.
Milton H. Erickson was a psychotherapist who made intensive use of hypnosis in his work.
He was a great and fast observer of people and could rapidly build rapport with his clients. Metaphors, imagery, confusing statements, surprise and humor were part of his arsenal of therapeutic tools.
