Hypnosis should be used for fun, not medical cures

On my eighth grade mystery trip in 2007, I volunteered to be hypnotized. I climbed on stage, sat down, slowly was instructed to say the ABCs backwards, think of a happy place and listen to the soothing voice of the hypnotist to ease me into semi-consciousness. I slowly found myself falling into a deep, deep … nothing. I still was alert and in control of my own body. It was at this moment I realized how ridiculous the whole concept of hypnosis really is. 

Just ask Lisa Nasseff, a St. Louis woman who is suing her therapist for hypnotizing her into thinking she had a past with a satanic cult and suffered from multiple personalities, according to a Dec. 1 article on KSDK.com.  Whether or not this woman truly was hypnotized into believing this, hypnosis should not be used to cure mental or physical health problems.

If you are a little fuzzy on the details of hypnosis, it usually goes something like this: A swinging object or rotating sphere is your eye's target, and your ears are subjected to a low, soft voice rocking you to "a state of daydreaming, where you are fully conscious yet tune out all of the stimuli around you," according to science.howstuffworks.com. 

In Nasseff's case, and in the case of many psychiatric patients, the hypnosis method used simply was the therapist, Mark Schwartz of the Ballwin, Mo. Castlewood Treatment Center, talking the patient into such a relaxation that they are susceptible to a higher imagination. 

She was supposed to be treated for her anorexia. Instead, Schwartz persuaded Nasseff that during her hypnosis, she admitted to being raped countless times and to participating in horrific satanic acts of sacrificing a baby and passing around the flesh to be consumed by all members of the supposed cult.  At least 12 other patients came forward with similar claims against Schwartz, with variations to the story.

Only about 10 percent of people are truly susceptible to hypnosis, about 70 percent have a small susceptibility rate and 20 percent nearly are incapable of going into a complete trance, according to professional hypnotist Bob Walsh's article on selfgrowth.com.  This susceptibility is based on an individual's openness to the idea of hypnosis. 

Maybe this was my problem — I thought it was crazy from the start. It is this data that makes me wonder, if hypnosis really an effective way to treat mental illnesses like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or, in Nasseff's case, eating disorders. If it only genuinely works for 10 percent of the population, I think the answer is no. Despite this, hypnotherapy still is used frequently at many mental health facilities throughout the nation.

Before you call me out as a skeptic, I do think there are certain situations in which hypnosis can be effective and acceptable. Sal Costa, Truman State psychology professor, uses hypnosis on his students as a demonstration for those interested. Costa "once told a student that he would see the face of Sylvester Stallone on everyone. The student went into the hallway and laughed when he saw everyone's faces, including then University President Jack Magruder," according to an Oct. 5 Index article. I am not going to argue that isn't hilarious. 

When it is for the purpose of entertainment and general interest, it is fine to use hypnosis. The results just are not effective enough for it to be a legitimate treatment for serious health issues.  If you want a good laugh, or perhaps a nice, relaxing pseudo-nap, then maybe hypnosis is for you. But if you are hearing voices or feeling depressed, go to a real psychiatrist, not a pocket-watch swinging magician.