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< E H M N P S T

Self-hypnosis (2024)

Adam D. Eason
Department of Psychology, University of Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK

Benjamin A. Parris
Department of Psychology, University of Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK

Correspondence: aeason@bournemouth.ac.uk

Keywords: hypnosis, self-hypnosis, autohypnosis, autosuggestion, self-hypnotic

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) 2005 definition of hypnosis, self-hypnosis refers to “administering hypnotic procedures on one’s own” (Green et al., 2005, p. 262). A more recent, revised definition of hypnosis did not include reference to self-hypnosis (Elkins et al., 2015), perhaps recognizing that there is no universally accepted threshold at which hypnosis transitions from hetero-hypnosis (guided by another), to self-hypnosis.

Some have defined self-hypnosis as any hypnosis undertaken without substantial real-time guidance from another person (Ruch, 1975), but just as to what is meant by substantial remains unclear. For example, people might follow audio instructions (Downe et al., 2015), written suggestions (Shor & Easton, 1973), or previously learned cues that were generated by another person, yet administered alone, making the boundary between hetero- and self-hypnosis difficult to draw.

Adding to the complexity, some definitions and theories of hetero-hypnosis emphasise the active role of the self, such as deliberate attention control or deliberate disabling of one’s own awareness of one’s intention to act according to hypnotic suggestions (Dienes & Perner, 2007; see Eason & Parris, 2024; Elkins et al., 2015). This perspective implies that all hypnosis inherently involves self-hypnotic elements, challenging the utility of a strict dichotomy between self- and hetero-hypnosis. Whilst some have reported evidence that the two are phenomenologically distinct (Fromm et al., 1981), Eason and Parris (2024) argue any observed differences may arise from how the procedures are framed and delivered.

Clinical practice further complicates the distinction. A systematic review by Eason and Parris (2018) highlighted the diversity of definitions and methodologies in clinical applications of self-hypnosis. Some therapeutic models incorporate hetero-hypnosis as a precursor to self-hypnosis or embed suggestions for self-hypnosis within hetero-hypnotic sessions (Johson & Weight, 1976). Despite this diversity of approaches, Eason and Parris (2018) reported that self-hypnosis was effective for many conditions including pain, childbirth, and anxiety, with the observed benefit of self-hypnosis not dependant on a prior experience of hetero-hypnosis.

Studies even suggest hypnosis may be more effective when taught as a fully self-directed practice (Eason & Parris, 2018). This approach has the potential to encourage personal agency, enhance self-efficacy and reduce fears of “mind control” (Eason & Parris, 2024). It also enhances flexibility in the use of hypnosis, allowing individuals to integrate hypnosis into various aspects of daily life, and reframes hypnosis as a skill that can be cultivated and refined. This broader perspective opens the door for everyday application, from stress relief to pain management, without needing another person present.

References
Dienes, Z., & Perner, J. (2007). Executive control without conscious awareness: The cold control theory of hypnosis. Hypnosis and Conscious States: The Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective, 293–314.

Downe, S., Finlayson, K., Melvin, C., Spiby, H., Ali, S., Diggle, P., Williamson, M. (2015). Self-hypnosis for intrapartum pain management in pregnant nulliparous women: a randomised controlled trial of clinical effectiveness. BJOG: An International Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology, 122(9), 1226-1234. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.13433

Eason, A. D., & Parris, B. A. (2018). Clinical applications of self-hypnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. doi:10.1037/cns0000173

Eason, A. D, Parris, B. A. (2024) The importance of highlighting the role of the self in hypnotherapy and hypnosis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2024 Feb;54:101810. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101810.

Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., & Spiegel, D. (2015). (2015) Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63:1, 1-9, DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2014.961870

Fromm, E., Brown, D. P., Hurt, S. W., Oberlander, J. Z., Boxer, A. M., & Pfeifer, G. (1981). The phenomena and characteristics of self-hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 29(3), 189-246. doi:10.1080/00207148108409158

Green, J. P., Barabasz, A. F., Barrett, D., & Montgomery, G. H. (2005). Forging ahead: the 2003 APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. The International Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Hypnosis, 53(3), 259-264.

Johnson, L. S., & Weight, D. G. (1976). Self-Hypnosis Versus Hetero-Hypnosis – Experiential and Behavioral Comparisons. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85(5), 523-526.

Ruch, J. C. (1975). Self hypnosis: the result of heterohypnosis or vice versa? International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 23(4), 282-304.

Shor, R. E., & Easton, R. D. (1973). A preliminary report on research comparing self- and hetero-hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 16(1), 37-44.