Author Topic: Hypnosis (Read 1777 times)

Marlelar · « **on:** October 23, 2015, 11:52:22 AM »

What do you think of using hypnosis for someone who is trying to quite addictive behaviors such as drinking, gambling, or drug use? I am of course referring to a hypnotist who has had professional training and experience in the field, not just someone who has set up shop in the local strip mall. I know there are some psychologists who use it to complement their "talk therapy" but I'm not sure if using hypnosis for medical purposes is spiritually "safe".

Miseremini · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2015, 12:18:10 PM »

It's forbidden by the church.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2015, 12:55:36 PM »

Written in 1956:

https://www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/HYPNOTSM.TXT

States that for certain grave reasons it can be used.

Various addictive behaviors are listed as examples of such reasons.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2015, 01:04:24 PM »

From the Catholic Encyclopedia article:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07604b.htm

Quote

The Church has not waited for the verdict of science to put the faithful on their guard against the dangers of magnetism and hypnotism, and to defend the rights of human conscience; but, ever prudent, she has condemned only abuses, leaving the way free for scientific research. "The use of magnetism, that is to say, the mere act of employing physical means otherwise permissible, is not morally forbidden, provided that it does not tend to an illicit end or one which may be in any manner evil" (Response of the Holy Office, 2 June, 1840). The encyclical letter of the Sacred Penitentiary, Tribunal of August, 1856, only confirms this, and Père Coconnier has referred to it in his famous work "L'Hypnotisme franc", in which he studies the subject apart from all extraneous considerations. Taking up the latest teachings of Rome, Canon Moureau, of Lille, writes: "Hypnotism is tolerated, in theory and in practice, to the exclusion of phenomena which would certainly be preternatural." This is the opinion of most theologians, and it is the utterance of reason.

"magnetism" = "hypnotism" above

ihsv · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2015, 02:11:03 PM »

Quote from: Miseremini

It's forbidden by the church.

It is not forbidden by the Church. I asked this question of Fr. Peter Scott (who was a doctor before he was ordained) explained very clearly to me that when used for good reasons (hypnotherapy, for instance), it is perfectly permissible.

rum · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2015, 02:15:15 PM »

It's interesting that there's such confusion on this issue, as some sources clearly say there's nothing wrong with it (though it can be abused).

confederate catholic · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2015, 03:43:35 PM »

i am pretty sure that there was a statement issued that said for the safety of the person being hypnotized there should be another catholic present

Ladislaus · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2015, 05:31:33 PM »

Yes, from the article I linked to above:

Quote

Due Precautions. The first precaution which must be observed is that the hypnotist be one who is medically qualified to exercise this art. An unskillful hypnotist may injure the patient's mental faculties. A competent physician can as a rule prevent the evil effects which sometimes result from the use of hypnosis. The second requirement is that there be present an authorized witness of unimpeachable character who will serve as a protection both to the physician and to the patient. The witness (for example, a parent or the marriage partner of the patient) could afterward defend the physician against any false accusations of improper conduct

rum · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2015, 05:46:55 PM »

Hey Ladislaus, would sanctioning hypnosis apply to EMDR and EFT?

Marlelar · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2015, 08:40:19 PM »

Quote from: rum

Hey Ladislaus, would sanctioning hypnosis apply to EMDR and EFT?

I know what EFT is but what is EMDR?

rum · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2015, 11:30:33 PM »

Quote from: Marlelar

Quote from: rum
Hey Ladislaus, would sanctioning hypnosis apply to EMDR and EFT?

I know what EFT is but what is EMDR?

From https://emdria.site-ym.com:

Quote

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress.

Quote

No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes "frozen in time," and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.

2Vermont · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2015, 07:20:04 AM »

This is interesting. Is it possible for hypnosis to go wrong and perhaps provide an opportunity for evil spirits to get involved?

Ladislaus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2015, 11:49:33 AM »

Quote from: 2Vermont

This is interesting. Is it possible for hypnosis to go wrong and perhaps provide an opportunity for evil spirits to get involved?

I suspect that this would only be if done in the wrong hands and not applying the cited precautions.

What I have heard about hypnosis, though not sure if it's 100% true, is that a hypnotist can't make someone do anything that they would normally find morally wrong.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2015, 11:52:30 AM »

Quote from: rum

Hey Ladislaus, would sanctioning hypnosis apply to EMDR and EFT?

I'm not sure. I'm not an expert in moral theology. I just cited an article from before Vatican II regarding hypnosis, and someone referenced Father Peter Scott along the same lines.