NEWS LETTER OF SAMATVAM PARIWAR

Year-5, Issue-3 (contd. 27), March - April - 2002
Editor : Dr. B M Palan M.D., D.Clin. Hypno. (USA)

Dear friends,

This issue of Samatvam Setu is delayed by a few weeks.

For several years, a number of participants have been telling me that the name of our workshop as stress management programme seems to restrict its meaning. They felt that the workshop is giving many more things. It has a wider scope. It gives understanding, maturity and skills more than what one would expect out of a simple stress management programme. We should re-name it. In the process of creating a new brochure, a name appeared in my mind and that is, “tranceformation”. We have observed that during the training we are using the state of trance for transformation - transformation in our beliefs, attitudes, thinking, feelings and behaviour, so as to bring about health and happiness. The idea is developed in a very appropriate logo by a friend - Alok Desai, as you also may appreciate from the brochure enclosed.

In the month of March, I conducted the tranceformation programme at Bangalore. It was a good learning experience for me. I will be doing the same once again at Bangalore during June-July, 2002. (The details of which are given at the back of the brochure). You may like to inform about the same to your friends/relatives at Bangalore.

With best wishes,

Yours truly,
B. M. Palan

 



ABSTRACT FROM INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE

Anbar, R. D. (2001). Self-hypnosis for the treatment of functional abdominal pain in childhood. Clinical Pediatrics, 40(8), 447-451. Functional abdominal pain (recurrent abdominal pain in the absence of an identifiable physiologic cause), can respond to psychological intervention in appropriate patients. In this case report series, functional abdominal pain of 4 of 5 pediatric patients resolved within 3 weeks after a single session of instruction in self-hypnosis. The author concludes that the potential impact of widespread application of self-hypnosis training may be large, because abdominal pain is believed to be the most common recurrent physical symptom attributable to psychological factors among children and adolescents. Address for reprints : Dr. R. D. Anbar, Department of Pediatric, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse 13210, USA.

Gruzelier, J., Smith, F., Nagy, A., & Henderson, D. (2001). Cellular and humoral immunity, mood and exam stress : The influences of self-hypnosis and personality predictors. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42(1), 55-71. In this outstanding article, the effects of self-hypnosis training on immune function and mood were evaluated in medical students at exam time. The hypnosis focused on relaxation and imagery directed at improved immune function and increased energy, alertness and concentration. Hypothese were made about activated and withdrawn personality differences. Eight high and eight low hypnotically susceptible subjects received 1 heterohypnosis session and 9 tape-recorded sessions, and were compared with 12 control subjects. CD3, CD4, CD8 CD19 and CD56 NK cells and blood cortisol were assayed, Life-style, activated vs. withdrawn temperament, anxiety, and arousal questionnaires were administered. Self-hypnosis buffered the decline found in controls in NK (P<0.002) and CD8 cells (P<0.007) and CD8/CD4% (P<0.06) (45-35% order of magnitude differences) while there was an increase in cortisol (P<0.05). The changes in NK cell counts was positively correlated with changes in both CD8 cells and cortisol. The results were independent of changes in life-style. Energy ratings were higher following hypnosis (P<0.01), and increased calmness with hypnosis correlated with an increase in CD4 counts (P<0.01). the activated temperament, notably the cognitive subscale (speaking and thinking quickly), was predictive of exam levels of T and B lymphocytes (P&z.Lt;0.08-P<0.02), and reaching r = 0.72 (P<0.001) in the non-intervention control group. The sizeable influences on cell-mediated immunity achieved by a relatively brief, low cost psychological intervention in the face of a compelling and yet routine stress in young, healthy adults have implications for illness prevention and for patients with compromised immunity. Address for reprints : Dr. John Gruzelier, Dept. of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperical College Medical School, St. Dunstan’s Road, London W6 8RF, United Kingdom. E-mail: j.gruzelier@ic.ac.uk

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. Marucha, P. T., Atkinson, C., & Glaser, R. (2001). Hypnosis as a modulator of cellular immune dysregulation during acute stress. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 69(4) 674-682. To evaluate the influence of a hypnotic intervention on cellular immune function during a commonplace stressful event, the authors selected 33 medical and dental students on the basis of hypnotic susceptibility. Initial blood samples were gathered during a lower stress period, with a second sample was drawn 3 days before the first major examination of the term. One-half of the subjects were randomly assigned to hypnotic-relaxation training in the interval between samples. Subjects in the hypnotic group were, on average, protected from the stress-related decrements that were observed in control participants’ proliferative responses to 2 mitogens, percentages of CD3+ and cd4+ T-lymphocytes, and interleukin 1 production by peripheral blood leukocytes. More frequent hypnotic-relaxation practice was associated with higher percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes. The results, along with those of Gruzelier et al. (reviewed above) provide encouraging evidence that interventions may reduce the immunological dysregulation associated with acute stressors. Address for reprints : Dr. J. K. Kiecolt-Glaser, Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
 



MIND YOUR WORDS

If what you are about to say is not factual, pleasant and beneficial, say something else. Laugh, smile or do something else.

Opinions spring from our own prejudices, and we have cultivated the ugly habit of expressing them freely, as if they are the truth, instead of looking within to see where they spring from. It is from prejudice. It is not necessary for me to go around sharing my opinions with everyone. That is gossip. The fact that you are aware that what you are about to say is only your opinion will stop you from expressing it when it need not be expressed. Opinions are formed in the mind by previous experiences, and the impressions come up as opinions.

Truth is to be constantly looking for this prejudice.

Are you living in truth?

  - Swami Venkatesananda.


UPCOMING PROGRAMMES
Holistic Stress Management and Self-development (HSM & SD): “tranceformation”
At Bangalore: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
June 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun), July 6th (Sat) and 7th (Sun), 2002.
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“I came as a egg for the introductory seminar, transformed into a larva during the first two days, grew into a cocoon during the next two days, and today I am flying out as a beautiful, big, red butterfly. Thanks to you and thanks to everybody. It was a wonderful experience.”

These were the words of Mrs. Raji Ramesh, a trainer by profession while she gave her feedback at the end of the workshop at Bangalore. I could see the bright colours of emotions sparkling in her eyes at that time!
 



From : SAMATVAM, BEHAVIOUR MEDICINE CLINIC AND CENTRE FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
12, Gulmohar Park, Opp. Akota Garden, Vadodara 390 020
Phone 335854 Fax 339216
website : www.drpalan.com


 

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