AUTOSUGGESTION is a process by which it is possible to train the subconscious mind to believe something, or systematically schematizes the person's own mental associations, usually for a given purpose. This (we are told) is accomplished through self-hypnosis methods or repetitive, constant self-affirmations, and may be seen as a form of self-induced brainwashing.

The acceptance of autosuggestion may be quickened through mental visualization of that which the individual would like to believe. Its success is typically correlated with the consistency of its use and the length of time over which it is used.

Autosuggestion can be seen as an aspect of prayer self-exhorting "pep talks", meditation, and other similar activities. A trivial example of self-improvement by autosuggestion is the New Year's resolution especially if it is followed up by systematic attention to the resolution.

Autosuggestion is most commonly accomplished by presenting (either through caressing or bombarding) one's mind with repetitive thoughts (negative or positive), until those thoughts become internalized. Practitioners typically hope to transmute thoughts into beliefs, and even into actualities. Visualizing the manifestations of a belief, verbally affirming it, and thinking it using one's "internal voice", are typical means of influencing one's mind via repetitive autosuggestion. Autosuggestion is normally thought of as a deliberate tool, but it can also refer to an unintentional process.

The French psychologist Emile Coué wrote extensively on the theory and practice of autosuggestion.

Applications of deliberate autosuggestion are intended to change the way one believes, perceives, or thinks; to change one's acts; or to change the way one is composed physically or physiologically. An example might be individuals reading nightly aloud a statement they have written describing how they would like to be, then repeating the statement in their mind until they fall asleep. People have attributed changes to such a nightly routine or similar employment of autosuggestion, for example, increased confidence the conquering of life-long fears heightened mental faculties (e.g., ability to calculate mathematics or read at a quicker rate), eradication of diseases or infections from one's body, and even improved eyesight and growing taller. It is not uncommon to hear people claim that they have been able to get rid of warts on their hands, simply by making a point of saying, "There go my warts!" every time they saw a garbage truck or a trashcan, but it is not clear whether such anecdotal reports should be taken as evidence of the power of autosuggestion.

The same type of effect that deliberate autosuggestion may achieve can also be seen in individuals not consciously trying to program themselves through autosuggestion. The dominant thoughts that occupy a person's conscious mind, if constantly present over an extended period of time, may have the effect of training that person's subconscious mind to organize that individual's beliefs according to those thoughts. In this sense, the mechanisms of pathological fixations and obsessions to some extent resemble the process of autosuggestion.

Autosuggestion is differentiated from brainwashing or hypnosis in that the suggestions given during the sessions originate with the individual (the self), rather than originating with suggestions from others.

AUTOSUGGESTION

This is really an extension of autogenic training, or meditation, by taking the ability to reduce stress and tension further through creating a state of autohypnosis. This is done by the repetition of a simple phrase while in a relaxed or meditative state. While this can be very useful during, say, labour and delivery, it requires some commitment beforehand to become practised enough to use effectively.

The practice was devised almost 100 years ago by a French pharmacist called Emile Coue, who recognised the strength of unconscious healing that could be harnessesed by an individual. The repeated phrase for which he is most remembered is, 'Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.'

Although a self-help technique, advice and instruction can be obtained from a medically qualified hypnotherapist. The following 'click on' sites should help you to find an accredited practitioner near to you.