Alert Hypnosis: Applications & Research

1. Alert Hypnosis:Applications & Research David M. Wark, Ph.D. ABPH International Society of Hypnosis Singapore, 2004

2. Traditional Hypnosis • Relaxation and Trance de Puysegur • “Sleep” Braid • Catalepsy Charcot • Dissociation Spiegel • Current APA Division 30 “…traditionally involve suggestions to relax, though relaxation is not necessary…”

3. Alert Hypnosis • Induction with Eyes open Active movement Sense of control and involvement • Suggestions enacted WHILE in hypnosis - not post hypnotically

4. Alert Hypnosis Examples • Movie • “Zone” athletics • Flow activity • Autopilot driving • Reading ‘in another world”

5. Alert Hypnosis • Considerations • How to induce • What to suggest

6. Alert Hypnosis Research • Ludwig & Lyle Natural hypnosis • Bányi Active alert hypnosis • Barabasz Neuronal activation • Wark Alert hypnosis

7. Alert hypnosis Research • Ludwig & Lyle Natural Hypnosis • Found in • Religious revivals • Tribal dance • Political crowds • Produced by • Alertness • Tension • Excitement

8. Alert hypnosis Research • Bányai Active Alert Hypnosis • Questioned Pavlovian hypothesis of sleep • Induction while riding a stationary bike • Alternated with standard induction • Susceptibility scores correlated r = .77-.80

9. Alert hypnosis Research • Barabasz Instant Neuronal Activation • Normal attending EEG is 14-32 Hz • ADD attending is 4-8 Hz • Train ADD to shift using neuron feedback • Alert hypnosis speeds up the process

10. Alert hypnosis Research • Wark Reading and Study • Enter alert self hypnosis • Specific suggestions for reading, listening, study or exams • Suggestions effect alert, eyes open behavior

12. Case: Lynn Reading • History of health challenges • 51 years old • Asthma, arthritis, allergies • Education • Several colleges • Law school 19 years prior • Concern • Anxiety when studying • Anxiety about passing law board [4th try]

13. Lynn: Assessment • When describing barriers she has overcome, or her significant achievement-- smiles • When describing her study or test taking-- coughs, shows great distress • Test Anxiety Survey 11 [indeterminate]

14. Lynn: hypnosis • Alert induction, so she could read and test in hypnosis • Suggested calmness and comfort • Home work to practice

15. Next Session • Complained she was not doing it right • Office practice on inductions • Induction and suggestion for test taking with comfort. [Desensitize last exams] • Practice again at home

16. Next Session • Reported that alert induction went well, but during reading any intrusion of past events destroyed the experience. • Instructed that when images intruded, stop, re-induce, and focus on current positive suggestions---enjoy study, note the clearness of the type

17. Inter session • 1st Phone call to report problem--- instructed to focus alertly on here and now • 2nd phone call---same pattern, refocusing on here and now

18. Last Session • Practice induction and suggestions to be calm and clear during the 2 days of bar exam

19. Result • She passed the bar.

20. Case: Chris and ADD • CA 17 Korean adoptee • Reading and doing roman numerals age 4 • Very poor work in highschool • Diagnosis of ADD, on meds 1 year • Goals • Be more focused • Be calmer and less anxious in school

21. Treatment Process • Learned alert hypnosis, and suggestion for focus and control • Practiced with radio on to overcome distractions • Induction and recall reaction to drug

22. Result • Said when feeling “spacey” can recall reaction and clear up some distortions

23. Tom and the fearful wife • Wife has many fears and anxieties • Particularly troublesome when he drives and she turns off the radio • Experienced a lot of anger

24. Treatment Process • Note his rage and fear when driving • Alert induction and suggestion for defensive driving • Alert induction and review why he loves his wife. • Empathically image her anxiety and fear • Say things that will calm and sooth her

25. Results She noticed that he was feeling more relaxed, less anxious and asked him to teach her how to do it.

26. Morris and the Everlasting Paper • Non-profit executive who has trouble with procrastination • Has written several books, but procrastinates now • Will jump up from chair and leave his work • Piles of paper all over his office

27. Treatment process • Alert hypnosis to read at desk, suggestion to stay calm and receptive • Reports anxiety he will forget something if a paper is not on his desk • Suggestion he is grown up just enough to know that paper will not disappear when he closes his eyes

28. Result • Reports that filing and responding to the phone has now become “fun” • Feeling more like an adult

31. Summary of Alert Hypnosis Many similarities to conventional hypnosis May be more generalizable Applied to reading, study, listening, self control, empathy QUESTIONS?

32. The Five Skills of Alert Hypnosis

33. For more informationWark@umn.edu • Published report on reading and study skills • Scripts for alert induction and suggestions • References on alert hypnosis