Autohypnosis

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Autohypnosis is a psychological condition often confused with Autosuggestion, a form of self-induced trance without the aid of a psychiatrist or hypnotist. Autohypnosis was introduced in the late 19th Century not long after the work of Austrian psychologist figurehead Sigmund Freud.

[edit] Methods

As with hypnosis--that is, the direction to an altered state of consciousness with the aid of a psychologist--particular individuals require less training and are theoretically more susceptible to the trance than others. Whatever the case, it has also been frequently recommended that individuals wishing to undergo such states be adequately trained, as the use of suggestion and delving into unconscious areas of the mind can have devastating results without proper psychological foreknowledge.

In autohypnosis, the subject places themselves in a tranquil or neutral environment, usually laying down or reclining. Many utilize a mantra, or a repetitious phrase associated with the direct goal of the hypnosis, however it is not mandatory; others use soothing music or aromatherapy, among other keys in preparing surroundings. It should be noted that meditation and autohypnosis are usually associated as the same practice and in many cases are mistaken as the same. However, the latter is a scientific, psychological therapy, while meditation has been used in various cultures (eg. Hindu, Muslim, even certain denominations of Christianity utilize basic principles into religious services) for centuries as a practice to further one's spiritual well-being. Both however are used in modern psychiatric institutions and have parallel goals in individual and group therapy.

Recalling the pre-morbid experiences before the onset of the disease, would greatly help in the possible alleviation of the situation. Even in medical care, there has been occasional use of autohypnosis as a method to prepare the patient for the coming cure. It is widely suggested that instead of resisting the method with biases, it's worth a mild try.

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