O verbo dissociar remete à cisão ou desagregação, termos esses que no campo da saúde mental estão associados à doença e à patologia, dificilmente à saúde. O objetivo desse trabalho foi mostrar como a concepção de dissociação foi construída socialmente a partir de mecanismos da mente (a associação e a desagregação de seus elementos) que se mantiveram como denominadores comuns ao longo da história da saúde mental por meio de práticas como o xamanismo, exorcismo, magnetismo animal e a hipnose. Finalmente, ao final do século XIX e início do século XX, a medicina e a nascente psicologia valeram-se da dissociação para estudarem fenômenos como as múltiplas personalidades, a histeria e mesmo a experiência religiosa, de maneira tal que diversos investigadores pioneiros como William James, Pierre Janet, Alfred Binet, Frederic Myers, Morton Prince e outros, integraram muitos (ou todos) desses princípios em suas próprias propostas teóricas e influenciaram toda a psicologia, ao conceituarem que a mente se dividia em consciente ou inconsciente, bem como apresentava múltiplos níveis e compartimentos que podiam ser tanto cindidos e desagregados como unidos e conectados. O método utilizado na investigação foi a revisão bibliográfica e a análise foi realizada a partir da ótica crítica da psicologia social. Essa tradição de pensamento psicológico cuja base é dissociativa (enquanto processo) e hipnótica (enquanto instrumento) foi obnubilada ao longo do século XX com o surgimento de novas propostas, como o behaviorismo e a psicanálise, e, também, com a patologização à qual o fenômeno dissociativo foi exposto ao longo do século XX. O presente trabalho concluiu que o estudo da dissociação é relevante para a psicologia tanto em seus aspectos históricos como atuais, por se tratar de um fenômeno psicológico presente em diversas teorias, normal em si, mas que pode adquirir conotação saudável ou patológica dependendo do contexto a partir do qual é avaliado. Por fim, concluiu também que a hipnose pode ser um valioso instrumento clínico que merece ser reintegrado à psicologia / Dissociate refers to splitting or disintegrating, terms that in the field of mental health usually refer to disease and pathology, hardly to health. The objective of this work was to show how the conception of dissociation was socially constructed through mechanisms of the mind (the association and the disintegration of its elements) that have remained common denominators throughout the history of mental health through practices such as shamanism, exorcism, animal magnetism and hypnosis. Finally, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, medicine and newborn psychology drew on dissociation to study phenomena such as multiple personalities, hysteria, and even religious experience, so that pioneering scholars such as William James, Pierre Janet, Alfred Binet, Frederic Myers, Morton Prince and others, integrated many (or all) of these principles into their own theoretical proposals and influenced all psychology by conceptualizing that the mind was divided into conscious or unconscious, levels and compartments that could be both spun-off and disaggregated as united and connected. The method used in the research was the bibliographical review and the analysis was carried out from the critical perspective of social psychology. This tradition of psychological thinking, whose basis is dissociative (as a process) and hypnotic (as an instrument) was obnubilated throughout the twentieth century with the emergence of new proposals, such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis, and also with the pathologization to which the dissociative phenomenon was exposed throughout the 20th century. The present study concluded that the study of dissociation is relevant for psychology in both its historical and current aspects, since it is a psychological phenomenon present in several theories, normal in itself, but which can acquire a healthy or pathological connotation depending on the context from which it is evaluated. Finally, he concluded that hypnosis can be a valuable clinical tool that deserves to be reintegrated into psychology

This thesis investigated the management of conflict between reality and suggestion during hypnosis. The eight experiments conducted for this thesis investigated the social, motivational, and cognitive factors that mediate participants? response to conflict during a negative visual hallucination. Chapter 1 reviews the relevant literature and presents the rationale for the program of research. Chapter 2 presents Experiments 1 and 2, which explored hypnotic participants? capacity to manage conflict under different conditions. The findings indicated that cognitive and behavioural strategies that allow participants to avoid conflict are useful, but not essential, in managing hypnotic conflict. Chapter 3 presents Experiment 3, which developed a paradigm that allowed conflict to be manipulated in a way that minimised response cues. The findings indicated that gradually and unobtrusively modifying a stimulus influenced participants? responses even though participants did not indicate any knowledge that the stimulus was manipulated. Chapter 4 presents Experiment 4, which investigated the relevance of hypnotisability and hypnosis to conflict management. The findings indicated that hypnosis provides a context in which hypnotisable participants are able to maintain their belief despite demanding levels of conflict. Chapter 5 presents Experiments 5 and 6, which focused on the role of social demands in participants? response to hypnotic conflict. The findings indicated that demand characteristics shape participants? interpretation of the appropriate response to conflict during an hypnotic suggestion. Chapter 6 presents Experiments 7 and 8, which addressed the relevance of cognitive processes to hypnotic conflict management. The findings indicated that participants used cognitive strategies to manage conflict that were appropriate to the suggestion, degree of conflict, and their individual abilities. Overall, the findings indicated that hypnotic participants? management of conflict involves motivated, strategic responding so as to maintain a belief that events are as communicated by the hypnotist. These issues are discussed within a theoretical perspective that is presented in Chapter 7. This perspective emphasises the hypnotisability of participants, the role of hypnotic induction, participants? interpretation of the desired response, the belief that participants develop in the reality of the suggested events, and the readiness of participants to employ conflict management strategies that produce the appropriate outcome.

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka uppfattningar av hypnoterapins effekter och upplevelser av hypnoterapi som behandling av tandvårdsrädsla på tandvårdskliniker. Material och metod: Materialet inhämtades genom intervjuer med sex informanter som arbetade med hypnoterapi som behandling mot tandvårdsrädsla på tandvårdskliniker i Sverige. Intervjuerna har genomförts med användning av en intervjuguide och varade i ca 20 – 35 minuter. Metoden var kvalitativ och data analyserades med innehållsanalys.  Resultat: I studiens resultat framträdde ett huvudtema: Förebyggande behandlingsmetod. Resultatet visade att informanterna uppfattade hypnoterapins effekter som goda och de upplevde hypnoterapi som effektiv vid behandling av tandvårdsrädsla. Informanterna var eniga om att behandling med hypnoterapi ska användas på tandvårdsklinikerna och utföras av tandläkare eller tandhygienist. Många av informanterna upplevde att kollegorna hade svårt att acceptera hypnoterapi som metod. Slutsats: Uppfattningar och upplevelser av hypnoterapi som behandling och dess effekt är överlag positiv med vissa svårigheter angående kollegornas attityder gentemot metoden. Mer forskning behövs för en bredare acceptans och förståelse av hypnoterapi som behandlingsmetod. / Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of hypnotherapy’s effects and experiences of hypnotherapy as a treatment of dental fear in dental clinics. Material and Methods: The material was obtained through interviews with six informants working with hypnotherapy as a treatment for dental fear in dental clinics in Sweden. The interviews were conducted using an interview guide and lasted 20 - 35 minutes. The method was qualitative and the interviews were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis. Results: In the results a main theme appeared: Preventive treatment. The results showed that the informants perceived hypnotherapy’s effects as good and they experienced hypnotherapy as effective in the treatment of dental fear. The informants agreed that hypnotherapy should be used in dental clinics and performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Many of the informants felt that their colleagues had difficulties accepting hypnotherapy as a method. Conclusion: Perceptions and experiences of hypnotherapy as a treatment and its effect are generally positive with some exceptions regarding their colleagues attitudes towards the method. More research is needed to bring a wider acceptance and understanding of hypnotherapy as a treatment method.

Awareness due to increase crime has highlighted the occurrence of immense personal and social problems. Problems resulting from disorders such as Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) are less common but have a profound impact on all of us. Research has shown that 97% of people with severe abuse and life trauma before the age of nine, develop DID. The objective of this study was to investigate (from the perspectives of therapists) the experience of people diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in the workplace. A qualitative research design was used to capture the essence of the individual's experience thereby enabling the researcher to develop an understanding from the participant's point of view. In this study seven therapists were interviewed and each completed a questionnaire. This was the basis used to demonstrate the typical behaviour of DID in the workplace. The results indicated that DIDs cope to a certain extent but tend to switch (switching) personalities when exposed to trauma, stress or events that triggers past life trauma. Defense mechanisms and switching can have a negative influence on the organisation and its employees, but most of all on the DID. If professional treatment is available, the condition can be fully cured. Most patients treated were female, averaged 29 years of age, were single, and had experienced some kind of abuse. Patients experienced problems directly related to DID, such as lack of concentration, attention deficiency and memory loss, depression, migraine and constant headaches. Their behaviour is inconsistent and unpredictable, and they experience relationship problems. Results show that DIDs can hold relatively senior positions but tend to change jobs on a regular basis. Although this condition can be differentiated from other Psychological conditions, most DIDs have previously been misdiagnosed. A Psychological-based paradigm is mostly used to diagnose the condition. Recommendations to the organisation (especially to the HR department) and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Awareness due to increase crime has highlighted the occurrence of immense personal and social problems. Problems resulting from disorders such as Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) are less common but have a profound impact on all of us. Research has shown that 97% of people with severe abuse and life trauma before the age of nine, develop DID. The objective of this study was to investigate (from the perspectives of therapists) the experience of people diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in the workplace. A qualitative research design was used to capture the essence of the individual's experience thereby enabling the researcher to develop an understanding from the participant's point of view. In this study seven therapists were interviewed and each completed a questionnaire. This was the basis used to demonstrate the typical behaviour of DID in the workplace. The results indicated that DIDs cope to a certain extent but tend to switch (switching) personalities when exposed to trauma, stress or events that triggers past life trauma. Defense mechanisms and switching can have a negative influence on the organisation and its employees, but most of all on the DID. If professional treatment is available, the condition can be fully cured. Most patients treated were female, averaged 29 years of age, were single, and had experienced some kind of abuse. Patients experienced problems directly related to DID, such as lack of concentration, attention deficiency and memory loss, depression, migraine and constant headaches. Their behaviour is inconsistent and unpredictable, and they experience relationship problems. Results show that DIDs can hold relatively senior positions but tend to change jobs on a regular basis. Although this condition can be differentiated from other Psychological conditions, most DIDs have previously been misdiagnosed. A Psychological-based paradigm is mostly used to diagnose the condition. Recommendations to the organisation (especially to the HR department) and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effect of a prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme on the maintenance and promotion of postpartum psychological well-being of a group of first-time mother. Relevant literature on pregnancy, early motherhood and psychological well-being were explained in order to abstract important facets and perspectives to use as a background for the development and implementation of an intervention programme for the facilitation of psychological well-being of first-time mothers. Theoretical perspectives on, and practical applications of, clinical hypnosis were further analysed and used as foundation for the development of the hypnotherapeutic intervention. A hypnotherapeutic programme was developed, based on existing theoretical knowledge regarding pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood, as well as clinical hypnosis, with specific emphasis on Ericksonian principles and ego state therapy techniques, enriched from the perspective of psychofortology. The empirical study consisted of a quantitative component and a qualitative component. In the quantitative component, a pretest-posttest-follow-up comparative design was implemented, with random assignment of participants to the experimental and control groups within the limits of practicalities. Both groups, each consisting of 23 women in their first pregnancy, completed the following questionnaires: (i) Perception of Labour and Delivery Scale (PLD), adapted from Padawer et al. (1988). Feelings about the baby and relationship with the baby (FRB), adapted from Wwllett and Parr (1997), Maternal Self- Confidence Scale (MSC), adapted from Ruble et al. (1990) and Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale (MSE) (Teti & Gelfand, 1991), to explore aspects of psychological well-being related to early motherhood; (ii) The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) ofCox et al. (1987) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979), to investigate aspects of psychological well-being as evident by the absence of pathology; and (iii) the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (Diener et al., 1985), the Affectometer 2 (AFM) (Kammann & Flett, 1983), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) of Antonovsky (1979) and the Generalised Self-efficacy Scale (GSE), developed by Schwarrer, (1993), to measure general psychological well-being. The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS) (Morgan & Hilgard, 1978) was used for the experimental group to assess hypnotisabili. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews and an analysis of written responses of mothers in the experimental group. They commented on their experience of the programme and its impact at two weeks and ten weeks postpartum. Results from the empirical study indicated that the experimental group showed significantly more symptoms of depression and symptomatology during the prenatal evaluation than the control group. Since the experimental group was possibly more vulnerable than the control group in a psychological sense, the effect of the intervention programme could not be deduced from a pure comparison of postnatal evaluation scores between the groups. Therefore, it was decided to explore the significance of differences within each of the experimental and control groups, as well as between the experimental and control group, using the mean difference scores between prenatal and postnatal evaluation on each variable. Results indicate that the hypnotherapeutic programme was effective in enhancing most aspects of psychological well-being within the experimental group. This strengthened sense of psychological well-being was evident both in the immediate postpartum period and at ten weeks postpartum. The control group showed a spontaneous increase in psychological well-being later in the postpartum period. The programme thus assisted mothers in the more vulnerable experimental group to experience a stronger sense of psychological well-being sooner after the baby's birth. The experimental and control groups were further compared on the mean differences in prenatal versus postnatal scores on measures of psychological well-being. The results suggest that the hypnotherapeutic intervention contributed to an enhanced sense of psychological well-being in mothers in the experimental group, in comparison to the control group, during the early postpartum period, as measured by variables related to motherhood, absence of pathology and general psychological well-being. At ten weeks postpartum, the differences between the experimental and control group were less obvious. However, a very important finding was that mothers in the experimental group continued to show a significant improvement in psychological well-being as indicated by the absence of pathology. Specifically, there was a continued decrease in depression and general symptoms of pathology. Findings from the quantitative study were supported by remarks by mothers in postpartum and follow-up interviews, as well as their written responses, as part of a qualitative exploration of their experience of the programme and its impact on them. The findings give compelling evidence that a hypnotherapeutic intervention, focusing on the enhancement of strengths and inner resources, could alleviate depression and psychological distress during the perinatal period, as well as prevent the exacerbation of symptoms. Findings from the current study indicate that the developed prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme was effective in enhancing the psychological well-being of mothers experiencing a first pregnancy. Recommendations for clinical practice and further research were made, based on the current research findings. The contribution of the current study lies in the fact that it is the first to explore pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood from a salutogenidfortigenic perspective, and to utilise hypnosis to facilitate psychological well-being in this context. It contributed to scientific knowledge in the fields of developmental psychology, psychofortology and clinical hypnosis. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

This dissertation presents a constructivist discussion of the experiences of the author in doing hypnosis. It explores the practice of hypnosis as a progression of behavioral changes by the hypnotis in facilitating the initiation, expansion and coherence of the hypnotic domain. These changes include punctuating and redefining everyday experiences and environmental events as hypnotic, and engaging participants in discussions based on the hypnotic logic. Hypnosis is defined as social and cognitive domain that is specified in language, and maintained by the embodied descriptions of participants. It is described how the hypnotic system evolves in terms of complexity, distinctness and functional integrity, and how this reflects the structurally determined fit between its members. In this system the hypnotist facilitates the development of the hypnotic description as a viable domain of existence that is experienced as real and all-inclusive. In conclusion some constructivist ideas for research, treatment and training are presented before constructivist thinking is used to contextualize the dissertation itself. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Este trabalho procura discutir o modo como os fenômenos sobrenaturais foram apropriados, pela ciência, no século XIX. A teoria do magnetismo animal, criada por Mesmer, com suas variadas interpretações por várias gerações de discípulos; a construção da teoria da hipnose, com a codificação da histeria abrindo definitivamente as portas das censuras acadêmicas; e a teoria da dissociação, criada no final daquele século, demonstram diferentes explicações fisicalistas que, muitas vezes, serviram para estabelecer distâncias entre um saber popular e o conhecimento de elites profissionais. A construção do cérebro possuído, no século XIX, apoiada na nosologia da histeria, codificada pela Escola de Salpêtrière, refletiu uma importante transformação social da época, em um processo de laicização da assistência pública, fundamental para a afirmação da psiquiatria como disciplina nascente. Atualmente, a codificação de fenômenos complexos, como transe e possessão espiritual que povoam a imaginação ou a superstição popular, ganha o estatuto de entidade nosológica, a partir das classificações diagnósticas oficiais da psiquiatria hegemônica. O cérebro será quase sempre a referência utilizada na esperança de naturalização do sobrenatural. / This study discusses the way supernatural phenomena were enfolded by science in nineteenth century. The theory of magnetism, created by Mesmer, and its different interpretations by generations of disciples; the theory of hypnosis with hysteria codification, opening the academic censure; and the dissociation theory, created at the end of the nineteenth century, had demonstrated different efforts of finding physicals explanations, which served, in most cases, to establish distances between folk knowledge and elites of professional knowledge. The construction of the possessed brain, in nineteenth century, based on the hysteria nosology of Salpêtrière School, reflected an important social transformation, at that time, in a laicization process of public assistance, and an affirmation of psychiatry as a nascent discipline. Nowadays, the codification of complex mental states as trance, spiritual possession, which inhabit superstitious and popular imagination, receive a nosologic entity status from official diagnostic classification in psychiatry. Brain is mostly the reference used in the hope of supernatural naturalization.

abstract: This qualitative study investigated the postpartum experiences of mothers who used hypnosis to birth. This research project was based on a constructivist version of Grounded Theory. Qualitative inquiry and analysis were conducted on 15 semi-structured interviews; two pilot interviews were also conducted. Phone and in-person interviews were completed with Caucasian, Hispanic, and multiracial mothers who were between one month and 15 months postpartum. The following 12 major themes emerged: bonded with child, development of self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, family criticism, online support, impact on family, practice effect, amazement to misevaluation, induction overwhelm, holistic benefits, minimal post partum depression, and birth stories. Mothers of two or more children appreciated birth more, reported an increased sense of calm and closeness within their nuclear and extended family, believed that the benefits of hypnosis for birthing assisted in the areas of bonding with their newborn, self-efficacy, breastfeeding and overall postpartum success. First-time mothers appreciated the physical aspect of recovery after delivery. They emphasized the birth narrative despite cultural differences in sharing their stories. Although they attributed much success to the use of hypnosis for birthing, they tended to make more indirect attributions to the bond with their child, self-efficacy, breastfeeding, and overall postpartum success. Mothers who required a c-section, epidural, or induction during birth experienced feelings of guilt and viewed hypnosis as an isolated tool for birth and a tool to reduce guilt and stress postpartum. Mothers who birthed naturally used hypnosis postpartum in more ways. Hispanic mothers expressed greater difficulty with balancing their roles as a career woman and mother. They had different expectations around the participation of their partner during birth preparation and postpartum. Breastfeeding was most important to this group and reflected communal values. Hypnosis for birthing was described as being helpful for mothers who had a psychological history with depression, anxiety, or trauma. Participants reported overall effectiveness of hypnosis for birthing methods despite mixed reactions from birthing professionals, family, and friends. The importance of these findings for counseling psychology is discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Counseling Psychology 2015