AUTOHYPNOSIS AND AUTOSUGGESTION: When we speak of autohypnosis or self-hypnosis, we refer to the actual trance state in which the usual hypnotic phenomena are manifested and through which definite post-hypnotic responses can be produced. When we speak of autosuggestion or Coueism, we mean conscious suggestion which the subject gives himself during his normal waking state, with the intention and hope that these suggestions will in due course of time and with sufficient repetition seep into the subconscious sphere and thereafter he realized. In auto hypnosis, the suggestions, though self-administered, are direct and unequivocal as in heterohypnosis and the results are generally immediately apparent; the critical conscious mind is in abeyance and therefore is not able to countermand or resist these suggestions. In autosuggestion, the conscious mind initiates the suggestions -- introduces them, as it were; the suggestions must then somehow circumvent the critical and antagonistic elements of the conscious, reasoning mind before they can be accepted by the powerful subconscious and carried out. (p. 27-28)

 

PRACTICAL USES OF SELF-HYPNOSIS: Autohypnosis can be put to practical use in a large variety of ways. Following is a practical list: The ability to relax can be easily and speedily learned through even a light degree of autohypnosis. This happy knack can be instrumental in changing a person's outlook on life. Resistance to fatigue can be substantially increased. Thus, a person can be rendered more productive in his work and more pleasant in his social contacts. relaxation is one of the primary factors in developing a resistance to fatigue.

 

Autohypnosis makes insomnia a thing of the past. The student can learn to fall asleep practically at will and to awaken refreshed and rested at any moment of the day or night.

 

Memory can be improved. The ability to concentrate can be markedly increased. (p. 30)

 

Visual and auditory acuity can be increased for specific tasks. Hearing or visual difficulties of a hysterical nature may be permanently corrected.

 

Learning can be speeded up, together with increased ability to retain the assimilated information.

 

The ability to recall long-"forgotten" events of the past can be promoted. A trained autohypnotic student, when taking an important exam, will find facts and figures flowing easily into his mind, unimpeded by memory "blocks." This phenomenon of hypermnesia had contributed immeasurably to psycho-analysis; quite a number of analysts today are using an accelerated form of psycho-analysis called hypnoanalysis.

 

Dental work can be made painless, even pleasant, through the use of hypnoanesthesia. More and more dentist are taking up hypnotism for this purpose.

 

Stage fright can be autohypnotically controlled. Public speakers, actors, singers, radio and television performers of all sorts can benefit immensely though use of this method. Not only does autohypnosis remove stage fright and the nervous tension usually associated with it, but it also helps the individual to put on a better performance by allowing whatever talents may be dormant in him to come to the fore. Autohypnosis may actually be used to advantage by persons who suspect that they have hidden talents but who, because of inhibitions, fears, or other adverse influences have never attempted to develop them.

 

Childbirth may be made painless and pleasant for prospective mothers trained in autohypnosis. (p. 31)

 

Stuttering, stammering and other psychogenic speech defects are amenable to correction.

 

Self-consciousness, bashfulness, and timidity, may be conquered.

 

A large variety of habits, including smoking, drinking, drug addiction, alcoholism, nail-biting, bedwetting, nervous ticks and twitches, undesirable sexual habits, are amenable to autohypnotic control. Habits which are symptoms of deep-seated neurosis require competent outside held in addition.

 

The flow of creative ideas may be stimulated. For example, a writer trained in autohypnosis need not wait for periods of inspiration -- he can create them practically at will.

 

In surgery, as in dentistry, hypnoanesthesia can be of great help. Actually, it has many advantages over chemical anesthesia, one being the fact that the usual post-operative pain and discomfort can be prevented.

 

In the field of medicine, numerous psychogenic complaints can be effectively treated by a combination of heterohypnosis and autohypnosis. It must be stressed that any disorder which seem to be with the province of the medical profession should be treated or as least supervised by a qualified physician.

 

Hypnosis has achieved signal success in the correction of obesity. A combination of hypnosis and autohypnosis is the ideal method for controlling the abnormal craving for the wrong types and qualities of food, which is a principal cause of overweight.