Hypnosis used by professor in research.Byline: Catherine Evans A CARDIFF psychologist is using hypnosis to create symptoms of paralysis, blindness and schizophrenia in healthy patients. It might sound sinister, but the research conducted by neuropsychologist Neuropsychologist A clinical psychologist who specializes in assessing psychological status caused by a brain disorder. Mentioned in: Post-Concussion Syndrome Professor Peter Halligan of Cardiff University Cardiff University (Welsh: Prifysgol Caerdydd) is a leading university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. It has an annual turnover of £315 million. could shed light on the causes of rare neurological or psychosomatic disorders Psychosomatic disorders Disorders characterized by physiological changes that originate, at least in part, from emotional factors. The classical psychosomatic symptoms and their theorized causes are shown in the table. , such as chronic fatigue syndrome chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), collection of persistent, debilitating symptoms, the most notable of which is severe, lasting fatigue. In other countries it is known variously as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, and . "This type of research goes back many years to when hypnosis was used as a means of monitoring symptoms," said Prof Halligan. "Hypnosis is already used therapeutically, such as in pain reduction and anxiety. "What exactly is going on in the human brain when people are engaged in hypnosis or have a psychosomatic psychosomatic /psy·cho·so·mat·ic/ (-sah-mat´ik) pertaining to the mind-body relationship; having bodily symptoms of psychic, emotional, or mental origin. psy·cho·so·mat·ic adj. 1. function? "There is a suggestion that with bigger and better diagnostic tech-niques we'll be able to find out." Prof Halligan has conducted a series of experiments with fellow psychologist David Oakley David K. Oakley (April 27, 1945 – July 2, 2006) was an American professional golfer whose greatest success came on the European Seniors Tour. Oakley was the older brother of American professional golfer Pete Oakley. , an emeritus professor of the University College London “UCL” redirects here. For other uses, see UCL (disambiguation). University College London, commonly known as UCL, is the oldest multi-faculty constituent college of the University of London, one of the two original founding colleges, and the first British . The pair focused on a range of rare and bizarre conditions, such as hysterical blindness (where the person cannot see but has no perceptible damage to their eyes or brain), hysterical paralysis (an inability to move a part of the body despite having no physical injury), alien limb syndrome (the feeling that an arm or leg is acting of its own accord), and Capgras Syndrome (a delusional belief that a loved one has been replaced by an imposter). The researchers believe all these conditions can be created in healthy people using hypnosis. Experiments are carried out on healthy patients who are considered to be more "suggestible sug·gest·i·ble adj. Readily influenced by suggestion. " to the power of hypnosis. "Statistics show that around 70 to 80% of people are somewhat suggestible," said Prof Halligan. "But there are a small number who are easily hypnotically induced and can have powerful experiences." Symptoms in these "virtual patients" can be switched on and off with a snap of the fingers, making it easier to study the abnormal brain activity that causes them. Afterwards, the patients are able to remember their experiences and describe them. "It's like reverse engineering," said Prof Halligan. "It's only when things break down that you appreciate the mechanism involved." CAPTION(S): Cardiff University professor Peter Halligan is using hypnosis in his study of psychosomatic disorders |
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