Doctor of Philosophy / Nineteenth century philosophy and anatomy regarded the nervous system as the only pathway of communication between the brain and body but now, research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has provided evidence to prove the age-old belief that there is a connection between the mind (or mental/emotional states) and the body. Researchers in PNI have now shown that the communication between the nervous and immune systems is bi-directional – i.e. there is a psychological reaction to physical disease and a somatic presentation of psychological disorders - and that the immune system, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system and the neuropeptide systems all communicate with each other by means of chemicals called messenger molecules or ligands. This paper outlines research into the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with hypnotherapy, taking into account the mind-body connection and treating both the patient’s physiological and emotional/psychological symptoms rather than treating the physiological symptoms only. In other words, using a more holistic approach to the treatment of IBS. IBS is probably the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder encountered by both gastroenterologists and physicians in primary care. It is estimated that from 10% to 25% of the general population suffer from this condition and that it comprises about 30-50% of the gastroenterologists’ workload, yet the aetiology of IBS is unknown and, so far, there is no cure. Researchers are beginning to view IBS as a multi-faceted disorder in which there appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the intestines, brain, and autonomic nervous system, resulting in an alteration in the regulation of bowel motility and/or sensory function. Most researchers agree that a subset of IBS sufferers have a visceral hypersensitivity of the gut or, more specifically, an increased perception of sensations in the gut. To date, studies of IBS have proposed previous gastroenteritis, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, psychosocial factors, a genetic contribution, and an imbalance of neurotransmitters as either possible causes or playing a part in the development of IBS. It is generally agreed that a patient’s emotional response to stress can exacerbate the condition. In section 1 of the thesis, the introduction, a detailed description and background appropriate to the study undertaken are provided, including aspects of epidemiology, diagnostic symptom criteria and clinical relevance of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Previous studies of various forms of treatment for IBS are discussed with the main emphasis being on treatment with hypnotherapy. All these therapies have concentrated on either mind or body treatments whereas this study demonstrates how hypnotherapy, and the use of imagery, addresses both mind and body. Finally, the rationale for the current study and the specific aims of the thesis are outlined. In section 2, the methodology and assessment instruments used in the clinical trial are discussed, as well as recruitment processes, research plan and timetable, and treatment schedule. Statistical analyses are provided and the main outcomes measures of the clinical trial, its limitations and scientific implications are addressed.

Doctor of Philosophy / Nineteenth century philosophy and anatomy regarded the nervous system as the only pathway of communication between the brain and body but now, research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has provided evidence to prove the age-old belief that there is a connection between the mind (or mental/emotional states) and the body. Researchers in PNI have now shown that the communication between the nervous and immune systems is bi-directional – i.e. there is a psychological reaction to physical disease and a somatic presentation of psychological disorders - and that the immune system, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system and the neuropeptide systems all communicate with each other by means of chemicals called messenger molecules or ligands. This paper outlines research into the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with hypnotherapy, taking into account the mind-body connection and treating both the patient’s physiological and emotional/psychological symptoms rather than treating the physiological symptoms only. In other words, using a more holistic approach to the treatment of IBS. IBS is probably the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder encountered by both gastroenterologists and physicians in primary care. It is estimated that from 10% to 25% of the general population suffer from this condition and that it comprises about 30-50% of the gastroenterologists’ workload, yet the aetiology of IBS is unknown and, so far, there is no cure. Researchers are beginning to view IBS as a multi-faceted disorder in which there appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the intestines, brain, and autonomic nervous system, resulting in an alteration in the regulation of bowel motility and/or sensory function. Most researchers agree that a subset of IBS sufferers have a visceral hypersensitivity of the gut or, more specifically, an increased perception of sensations in the gut. To date, studies of IBS have proposed previous gastroenteritis, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, psychosocial factors, a genetic contribution, and an imbalance of neurotransmitters as either possible causes or playing a part in the development of IBS. It is generally agreed that a patient’s emotional response to stress can exacerbate the condition. In section 1 of the thesis, the introduction, a detailed description and background appropriate to the study undertaken are provided, including aspects of epidemiology, diagnostic symptom criteria and clinical relevance of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Previous studies of various forms of treatment for IBS are discussed with the main emphasis being on treatment with hypnotherapy. All these therapies have concentrated on either mind or body treatments whereas this study demonstrates how hypnotherapy, and the use of imagery, addresses both mind and body. Finally, the rationale for the current study and the specific aims of the thesis are outlined. In section 2, the methodology and assessment instruments used in the clinical trial are discussed, as well as recruitment processes, research plan and timetable, and treatment schedule. Statistical analyses are provided and the main outcomes measures of the clinical trial, its limitations and scientific implications are addressed.

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)

Twenty seven of forty one learners at a remedial school were identified as having negative self-esteem. The learners self-esteem correlated with their barriers to learning. Hypnosis was considered as a possible technique to build positive self-esteem in these learners. The study used hypnotherapy on two learners who were identified as having negative self-esteem. The identification was based on the results of a selfconcept inventory. After a few sessions of hypnotherapy, the test was readministered. The results before and after indicate a positive change in the self-concept scores. This will have to be researched further,but there are significant indications that hypnotherapy may be one of the ways of building positive self-esteem in learners. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study evaluated the efficacy of hypnoticallyinduced mood elevation techniques for individuals exposed previously to an experimental learned helplessness condition. The treatment conditions in this investigation included the mood elevation with hypnotic induction group as well as a mood elevation group without the benefit of hypnotic induction. As experimental controls, a group was exposed to hypnotic relaxation and an attention-only treatment group was used. Measures of treatment success included the administration of•the Depression Adjective Checklist, backward digit span, and five—letter anagrams. In a series of factorial analysis of variance procedures no significant interaction was noted although the main effect for the presence of hypnotic induction was significant with the Depression Adjective Checklist. Post hoc analysis to examine gender differences demonstrated no significant performance discrepancy between the sexes. Limitations of the study were explored and avenues of further research discussed.

M.Ed. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This study compared the relative efficacy of two different theoretically-derived strategies in the hypnotic treatment for cigarette smoking. The use of counterconditioning suggestions (present or absent) was compared to the use of role-playing suggestions (present or absent) in a two-way factorial design. Also investigated was whether there were any pretreatment variables which could predict successful long-term smoking control. Fifty adult chronic smokers were matched on the dimensions of baseline smoking rate, number of years smoking and number of previous attempts to quit smoking, then assigned to one of four treatment groups. All subjects were offered four sixty-minute group hypnotherapy treatment sessions over a three week period, with smoking rate assessed at the second, third and fourth sessions, and at one-month, three-months and six-months post-treatment. The two dependent measures of percentage reduction from baseline smoking rate and percentage of subjects in each treatment group remaining abstinent from smoking showed similar results. ANOVA procedures found a significant Time of assessment X Counterconditioning interaction, indicating that the use of counterconditioning suggestions facilitates the long-term maintanence of smoking control more than the use of role-playing suggestions or a "hypnotic relaxation" treatment using no specific suggestions. The demographic variables of increased age, having a smoking-related health problem, and being a "stimulation" type of smoker were found to correlate highly with successful long- term outcome and to correctly classify subjects as abstainers or nonabstainers the majority of the time.

A total of 60 male and female subjects scoring between 0-5 and 8-12 on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility: Form A underwent hypnosis procedures, hypnosis and age regression procedures to age 10, or were read an article about hypnosis. All subjects then listened to 20 minutes of directed imagery for warming and cooling the hands. Skin temperature was monitored on both index fingers. Dependent measures were the difference between each subject's highest temperature and baseline temperature, the difference between each subject's baseline temperature and lowest temperature, and the latency of change from baseline to highest temperature, and the latency of change from the beginning of cooling imagery to lowest temperature. Results indicated that the age regression group achieved significantly warmer temperatures than the control group and that the age regression group remained significantly warmer than the two other groups during the cooling imagery. Results also indicated that these skin temperature responses generalized to the nondominant hand. The data were interpreted as suggesting that those subjects exposed to the age regression procedures may have been more relaxed than the other groups. Another interpretation suggested the cooling imagery may not have been accessing common or pleasant experiences of the subjects.

Text in Afrikaans / Aangesien depressie en angs hedendaags so 'n ingrypende invloed het op mense se lewens en hulle lewenskwaliteit, is daar 'n dringende behoefte aan 'n dinamiese, korttermyn en gerigte terapie om so gou as moontlik by die werklike onderliggende oorsake van die depressie en angs uit te kern. Hierdie studie het ten doel om die gebruik van hipnoterapie in die hantering van depressie en angs by adolessente en volwassenes te ondersoek. Tydens die studie word aangetoon dat die mediese hipnoanalise model 'n geskikte benadering is om as diagnostiese tegniek en terapeutiese intervensie, die oorsprong van depressie en angs aan te spreek. Emosionele probleme soos depressie en angs se oorsprong lê dikwels by foutiewe persepsies wat ontstaan tydens insidente in die kindertyd. Aangesien die persoon se breinprosesse in daardie stadium nag nie goed genoeg ontwikkel is om te besef dat die bedreiging verby is nie, word sulke persepsies nie verwyder nie. Elke persoon analiseer 'n nuwe stresvolle situasie of bedreiging vanuit sy persepsies en verwysingsraamwerk uit die verlede. Tydens 'n stresvolle insident is die depressie- en angslyer in die gewoonte om vanuit 'n depressiewe en angsvolle verwysingsraamwerk te dink en op te tree. Hierdie wyse van dink en optree is volgens sy onbewuste beter vir sy oorlewing van die stresvolle situasie, as wat denke en optrede vanuit 'n verwysingsraamwerk van die werklike onderliggende probleem sou wees. Die mediese hipnoanalise model is in staat om, tydens regressie, die ou foutiewe gedagtepatrone te verander deur die onderliggende gedagte, wat probleme veroorsaak, bloot te lê en te verwyder. Sodoende word die werklike onderliggende probleem blootgelê en verwyder. Die persoon word vry van foutiewe persepsies van die verlede en in staat om te dink en in die toekoms op te tree volgens die nuwe, akkurate persepsies. Deur hierdie meganismes, bewys mediese hipnoanalise homself as 'n geskikte terapeutiese ingreep om depressie en angs suksesvol aan te spreek. / In the light of the far-reaching effects that depression and anxiety have on the lives and the quality of people's lives, there is a need for a dynamic, short term and directed therapy in order to determine the real underlying causes of depression and anxiety as soon as possible. This study aims to examine the use of hypnotherapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety with adolescents and adults. During the course of this study, it is shown that the medical hypnoanalysis model is well suited as a diagnostic technique and therapeutic intervention for treating the origins of depression and anxiety. The origin of emotional problems like depression and anxiety, often lies in the faulty perceptions that have been formulated during childhood incidents. Since the brain processes are not yet as developed as they will become in adult life, the conscious mind does not realize that the threat ceased to exist, and can therefore not remove such perceptions. Each person analyses new stressful situations from the perspective of his own perceptions and the frame of reference of the past. A person suffering from depression and anxiety is in the habit of generating depressive and anxious ways of thinking and acting when confronted with a new stressful situation. The subconscious mind considers these ways of thinking and acting as the best way of surviving the stressful situation, better than ways of thinking and acting from the frame of reference of the underlying problem. The medical hypnoanalysis model can detect and remove the real underlying problem by regressing the person to the time of the incident, thus correcting the old patterns of thinking and acting. The person is freed from past false perceptions, and can think and act according to his new, corrected perceptions. Through use of these mechanisms, medical hypnoanalysis has shown itself to be well suited to the treatment of depression and anxiety. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This research project investigated differences in hypnotic suggestibility between young adults of different ethnic groups, and between male and female subjects. Further, the relationship between creativity and suggestibility in young adults was examined. Therefore, 15 white female, 11 white male and 10 black female students participated in the study. For this research, the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults, and a biographical questionnaire on Individual Creative Background were utilized. Analyses of variances and regression were used as statistical procedures in order to analyse the data. From the findings it appears that young black South Africans are more suggestible than white South Africans. Gender differences were found regarding suggestibility, but no significant differences between white and black females. Regarding the outcomes on suggestibility and creativity, it can be concluded from the regression analysis that there is no relationship between suggestibility and creativity in this sample. It can be said that suggestibility cannot predict creativity and vice versa. It appears that young South Africans do not differ in creativity regarding cultural group or gender. Nevertheless, creativity and relationship to the parents in childhood were significantly related. Further, creativity was highly correlated with the amount of time for unstructured playtime in childhood. Reasons for results obtained are discussed and suggestions for future research made.