Hypnosis, or the act of achieving altered states of consciousness, can be dated back thousands of years to early cultures where chanting and dancing were used as healing rituals. Healing through the hypnotic state can even be traced back as far as the Druids, who referred to the altered state as “magic sleep.”

The name hypnosis originates from the word “hypnos” – meaning the Greek god of sleep. It was the British physician, James Braid, who coined the term “hypnotism.” After a number of years, he began to realize that hypnosis was not just another form of sleep. But, by the time he realized this fact, the term “hypnosis” was too widespread to change.

By the mid-19th century, the current methods of capturing a patient’s total concentration were finally established. Even then, when Freud decided not to use hypnosis in the field of psychoanalysis, it took many years before hypnosis as a tool for healing was again taken seriously.

Milton Erickson

Milton Erickson (1901-1980) was a psychiatrist and clinical hypnotherapist, and was the founding president of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He is noted for his unorthodox methods of therapy, and his influence in the field of psychiatry, psychology, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and hypnotherapy. He deserves special mention here not only for his influence in many fields, but also for the way he fought against his own adversities.

At a young age, Erickson, both dyslexic and color blind, started following in his father’s footsteps of becoming a farmer. However, all that changed when he contracted polio at the age of 17.

Milton Erickson: “I had polio, and I was totally paralyzed, and the inflammation was so great that I had a sensory paralysis too. I could move my eyes and my hearing was undisturbed. I got very lonesome lying in bed, unable to move anything except my eyeballs. I was quarantined on the farm with seven sisters, one brother, two parents, and a practical nurse. And how could I entertain myself? I started watching people and my environment. I soon learned that my sisters could say “no” when they meant “yes.” And they could say “yes” and mean “no” at the same time. They could offer another sister an apple and hold it back. And I began studying nonverbal language and body language. I had a baby sister who had begun to learn to creep. I would have to learn to stand up and walk. And you can imagine the intensity with which I watched as my baby sister grew from creeping to learning how to stand up.”

Erickson was not beaten. He decided to fight back. One day he was sitting by the window, looking longingly outside. As he sat there imagining being outside, he noticed that the chair began to rock slightly. Excited, he attempted to make it happen again, willing himself to move, but he could not move no matter how hard he tried. Eventually, he gave up and sank back into his daydreams, again imagining playing outside. Once more the chair began to rock. He realized that it was his vivid imagination that was producing a response in his body. Inspired by this discovery, he taught himself to walk again He spent a lot of time observing his baby sister growing up and learning to walk. He began to recall “body memories” of the muscular activity of his own body. By concentrating on these memories and using visualization, Erickson started to regain control of parts of his body. Eventually, although still unable to walk, he decided to train his body even more by embarking on a thousand mile canoe trip. After this grueling trip, he was able to walk with a cane.

Despite this, Erickson realized that he simply did not have the strength to become a farmer. At the age of 21, he decided to become a doctor instead. While at medical school, Erickson found that he was still very interested in the human mind. So, once again, his life path changed and he pursued a second degree, this one  in psychology.

In the years that followed, Erickson used his education and background to become one of the most influential psychotherapists and clinical hypnotherapists of all time. He had a very practical approach to his therapy sessions, often telling stories, using metaphors, and a whole array of unorthodox therapeutic methods should the situation demand it.

For example, Erickson treated a married man who had a fear of moving elevators by persuading a young girl to repeatedly ask the man to kiss her while they were in the elevator. This not only “cured” the man, but he wanted the elevator to move quickly so he could get away from the girl before his wife found him.

Later in life, Erickson developed post-polio syndrome due to the overuse of partially paralyzed muscles. This condition again left him severely paralyzed. But, because of his previous experience, he knew how to rehabilitate himself. However, because he was much older this time, he was still confined to a wheelchair, and suffered from chronic pain. Instead of lying down, he learned how to manage his pain with self-hypnosis, and became an expert at treating others who also suffered from chronic pain.

Erickson’s life and work have been a source of inspiration for many therapists and patients in many disciplines. He turned his disadvantages around, learned from them, and used them to help others. While most people would have given up, Erickson kept going and became an inspiration and illustration that almost anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a vivid imagination.

Professional Endorsements:

In 1955, the British Medical Association (BMA) formally endorsed the practice of teaching hypnosis in medical schools. They approved it as a recognized form of medical practice.

This was followed in 1958 by the American Psychological Association forming a specialty in hypnosis. This professional association established a certifying board of examiners in both clinical and experimental hypnosis.

At a formal meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1959, hypnosis was granted “official status” of an “adjunctive tool” in medicine. As such, it completed the professional acceptance of hypnosis and raised it to a new level. Adding to this, in 1961, the AMA recommended that medical professionals receive 144 hours of training in hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis has, thus, been established as a legitimate subject of scientific inquiry. Research studies have abounded. Hypnosis is now a thriving topic for both experimentation and clinical application. A growing number of physicians and surgeons employ the therapeutic effects of hypnosis with their patients in the areas of pain management, pre-and post-operative anesthesia, relaxation, stress management, weight loss, and addiction control, to name a few.

Where to go from here:

• “A Critical History of Hypnotism”
• “Experiencing Erickson”
  
• “NLP for Beginners”
• “Post-Polio Syndrome”
• American Society of Clinical Hypnosis