(This blog was originally posted on January 21, 2014)
I could
not believe it. Sunday night, right
before my (and thousands of viewers’) eyes, a random hypnotist essentially
ambushed a beloved character of the television series I was watching. Bam! Right in the middle of a critical
scene in the episode, the hypnotist addressed the character by name, gave a
command (eye fascination) and did a rapid induction to knock him out long
enough for critical elements of the plot to make sense and the storyline to
move along. Following are my reasons why
this scene worked—and made sense—in the context of Hypnosis Motivation
Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D.’s definition of hypnosis and the
following key elements of the plot:
1.
According to Dr. Kappas, hypnosis is “[a state]
created by an overload of message units that disorganizes our inhibitory
process (critical mind), triggering our fight/flight mechanism and ultimately
resulting in a hyper-suggestible state [that provides] access to the
subconscious mind.” The character was distraught and in a state of high anxiety
when the hypnotist approached him. He didn’t want to/wouldn’t physically leave
the scene, but this opportunity for temporary “escape” into hypnosis was an
easy way to escape the trauma and drama going on around him.
2.
The hypnotist was calm and in control—and took
control of the situation. He spoke the protagonist’s name and commanded the
character to look at him.
3.
The hypnotist appeared to use a variation of the
direct-gaze shock induction to hypnotize the protagonist. This is a legitimate
rapid-induction technique in which a hypnotist has the person look him in the
eye and supports his or her upper body during the physical aspect of the
induction.
4.
The hypnotist used the key phrase, “deep sleep”
that is typically employed during hypnosis. At the end of the scene, once key
plot details had been resolved, the hypnotist counted the character back up to
full awareness.
When I saw this scene unfold every
cell in my body screamed “foul!” at the irresponsible depiction and
unethical/immoral application of hypnosis. The technique that the hypnotist
employed, and the context in which he used it, was in no way hypnotherapy. However, considering the protagonist’s
overwrought emotional state and the activity going on around him, it was easy
to understand how this scene was a perfect example of Dr. Kappas’ explanation
of how and why hypnosis works. I think the inclusion of a rogue hypnotist doing
a rapid induction to temporarily overwhelm the character’s already-overloaded
subconscious mind was an ingenious, extra detail that will keep fans talking
about this episode for a long time.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in
Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®
and to set up an appointment, please
visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2014
