Hypnosis FAQ
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and the basic tools are suggestion and imagination. During the hypnotic state, the conscious mind is quiet while the subconscious mind is open to suggestions. A person is acutely aware of the therapist’s voice, or her own voice, should she choose to use self-hypnosis.
IS HYPNOSIS THE SAME AS SLEEP?
Hypnosis is the opposite of sleep. The eyes can be open or closed. A hypnotized person’s subconscious mind is wide awake. An induced person is extremely relaxed and may drift into different levels of awareness. Some people are capable of reaching great depths of relaxation, and may appear to be sleeping. But they’re not.WHY
WHY DOES HYPNOSIS WORK?
Mainly because the person wants it to work. If she doesn’t, it won’t. But assuming the person has chosen this form of therapy, she is obviously motivated to change a “something.” Where the conscious mind might block or resist change, the subconscious mind is receptive to positive suggestions.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE HYPNOTIC STATE?
It’s when your mind is slowed down a bit. Your focus is narrow and your breathing is slow and shallow. Every part of your body is completely relaxed. You are in an “Alpha” state, which is the lightest state of hypnosis. A real-world example might be someone using a computer. The person is focused on the computer. All her attention is on that computer. But, if the phone rings, she answers it, thus, breaking the Alpha state of mind.
IS IT TRUE THAT INTELLIGENT PEOPLE CANNOT BE HYPNOTIZED?
This is a complete myth. Nothing could be further from the truth. An intelligent, informed, creative person is far easier to hypnotize than someone with very low intelligence. In fact, the stronger the mind, the better the ability to focus and concentrate, which makes it easier for that person to achieve the hypnotic state.
CAN EVERYONE BE HYPNOTIZED?
No. Since hypnosis requires concentration, imagination, and a willingness to participate, very young children cannot and should not be hypnotized. Others might include: people with low IQs, people who are senile, people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and people with brain or mental disorders.
ARE THERE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE WILL OR BRAIN AFTER HYPNOSIS?
This is another misconception. The state of hypnosis poses no threat to the brain. Quite the contrary. Relaxation is great for your brain. If there are side effects, they are beneficial ones. Most people feel more positive and hopeful about whatever problem or issue brought them to the therapist. In addition, hypnosis does not cause any negative side effects. In fact, hypnosis is a wonderful tool for avoiding the negative side effects of other treatments, such as prescription drugs for headaches, pain, or anxiety disorders.
I’VE NEVER BEEN HYPNOTIZED, SHOULD I BE AFRAID?
Of course not. You have nothing to fear. In fact, most of us are hypnotized several times a day. Hasn’t your mind wandered while driving until you suddenly realized you’ve reached your destination? Or, how many times have you read a book only to wonder how you got to chapter four when you were just reading chapter one? Some call it daydreaming, others, losing track of time. Those are all aspects of being “hypnotized.” It’s when your conscious (Beta) mind slips into an Alpha state. It’s perfectly normal and natural.
WILL I REMEMBER ANYTHING ONCE I’M OUT OF THE HYPNOTIC STATE?
You will remember everything, if you so choose. You will also remember hearing the hypnotist’s voice and any other noises inside or outside the room. Many people feel they have not been hypnotized after a session because they heard all the sounds around them. Rest assured, hypnotism does not render you deaf.
CAN I BE HYPNOTIZED AGAINST MY WILL?
Absolutely not. No one can be can be induced into a hypnotic state against her will. Remember, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
WILL I LOSE CONTROL UNDER HYPNOSIS?
No. You allow yourself to be guided into hypnosis and you remain in control at all times. You always know what is happening. You can come out of hypnosis at any time.
WILL I BE MADE TO DO SOMETHING I WOULD NOT ORDINARILY DO?
Hypnotists do not have power over your mind. They guide you into a deep state of relaxation so that you can access your subconscious mind and follow suggestions. Any suggestion that is contrary to your own belief system will either be ignored by you or cause you to “awaken.”
WILL THE HYPNOTIST ASK PERSONAL QUESTIONS?
Only if you give her permission. Even so, you will never reveal anything you don’t want to reveal.
WHAT IF I CANNOT AWAKEN FROM THE HYPNOTIC STATE?
That could never happen. Since all hypnosis is self-hypnosis you have, basically, induced yourself. You are a WILLING participant. You are there because you are motivated to change something about yourself. Therefore, you can come out of the hypnotic state whenever you wish.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HYPNOTHERAPIST AND A STAGE HYPNOTIST?
A hypnotherapist is there to help you with a specific problem or issue. A stage hypnotist is there to entertain and amuse you.
IS STAGE HYPNOTISM REAL?
Yes, it is. The stage hypnotist is a professional hypnotist who knows how to test an audience quickly to determine which people are most suggestible. The volunteers are more than willing to go along with the hypnotist’s suggestions or they wouldn’t have volunteered.
IS HYPNOSIS USEFUL IN MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH?
Most definitely. Your health will benefit, both mentally and physically, simply from the relaxation created during hypnosis, no matter what the session is designed to treat. Most people do not maintain a state of relaxation, nor do they breathe correctly. When you are stressed or anxious, your immune system is compromised, and you are at risk for developing any number of illnesses. From a psychological standpoint, when you relax on a regular basis, you will attain greater confidence and self-esteem. Your happiness quotient will just naturally be enhanced because your body and mind will be at peace.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYPNOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?
A psychotherapist helps a person resolve issues through the conscious mind. She may suggest books to read and exercises to practice. The client is expected to do most of the talking and rehashing of past events. This process may take years before actual change is affected.
Hypnotherapy bypasses the conscious mind and works directly with the subconscious. The client is in a relaxed state as the therapist does most, if not all, of the talking. During the induction, the therapist suggests specific guidelines to solve the client’s problems or issues. This method is more results-oriented and change usually occurs after a few sessions. As with most forms of therapy, the results vary from person to person. If the person is truly motivated to change, not because someone has told her she must change “or else,” then either method should work. Sometimes,it is simply a matter of personal preference. Either method can be effective or non-effective, depending on the therapist and the client’s own motivations.
IS PAST-LIFE REGRESSION JUST A GIMMICK OR IS IT REAL?
I have been both a subject and a therapist in past-life regressions. A person with a lively imagination could well think he is experiencing a past life, but, in fact, may only be creating one. On the other hand, there are thousands of case studies of people, particularly children, who recalled specific events, names, and places, which were later verified. My mind is open to all possibilities.
WHAT ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND MORAL ISSUES ARE INVOLVED IN THE USE OF HYPNOSIS?
Hypnotherapy should only be used for the benefit of the client, and not for any other reason or purpose. From a moral standpoint, a client should never ask for a treatment that is immoral or illegal. A reputable, certified hypnotherapist would never accept such a client. The legal issues vary from country to country and state to state. Please do your homework before contacting any professional therapist. The best way to find a responsible and effective therapist is through the recommendation of someone you trust, or through a state board or association.
CAN HYPNOSIS BE USED TO TREAT PAIN?
Yes, definitely, and there are hundreds of case studies to prove it. Hypnosis is an effective and safe pain management tool. This includes the pain and discomfort associated with dental procedures, childbirth, surgery, chemotherapy, leukemia, angioplasty, and migraine headaches. However, we must remember that pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong, and it should never be ignored. If you are experiencing pain of unknown origin, you must get a medical diagnosis immediately. Do not mask the pain by using hypnosis or over-the-counter medications. Once a diagnosis is made, hypnosis will reduce the need for pain-killers which, in themselves, may have negative side-effects.
CAN CHILDREN BE HYPNOTIZED?
It depends on the child and her level of maturity. Children are much more likely to have vivid imaginations than adults. They are also less likely to have “trust” issues, and will listen to suggestions more readily than a skeptical adult. On the other hand, a child below the age of seven might not be able to sit still for 10 to 15 minutes. If you take the child to a qualified hypnotherapist, he should tailor the therapy around something the child understands, such as a comic book hero or favorite doll. In a study conducted at the Duke University Medical Center using hypnosis CDs, thirty children (from six to fifteen years old) were treated for abdominal disorders. Half the children used hypnosis CDs, while the other 15 used traditional medical treatment. Of those using the CDs, 73 percent reported a reduction in pain by half or more by the end of the eight-week treatment. Only 26 percent of the children given the “standard” treatment reported this same reduction in pain.
HOW LONG DO THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF HYPNOSIS LAST?
Hypnotherapy can achieve powerful results in a very short period of time. These results can last a lifetime if a person remains motivated and committed. However, as human beings we are constantly changing and re-evaluating our lives. Some people grow stronger with each new challenge, while others may weaken and revert to negative behaviors. I always encourage my clients to learn self-hypnosis so they are armed with a fierce tool to face life’s many twists and turns. One of the benefits of recorded sessions is that you can listen to them often, thus reinforcing your resolve and motivation, should you start to falter.
WHAT CAN HYPNOSIS BE USED TO TREAT?
The possibilities are truly limitless. The most obvious are for weight loss and smoking cessation. But, there are more than 300 other “conditions” and “states of mind” for which hypnosis is effective. To name a few: stress management, pain control, grief management, teeth-grinding, nail biting, hypertension, self-esteem, motivation, confidence, childbirth, dental procedures, public speaking, sexual issues (both men and women), pre-op preparation and post-op recovery, rapid healing, memory recall, focus and concentration, sports ability enhancement, study skills, stuttering, self-improvement, time-management, early childhood trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, fears, panic attacks, relaxation, and a general sense of well-being.
IS HYPNOSIS ANTI-RELIGIOUS, AN OCCULT PRACTICE, OR ANOTHER FORM OF WITCHCRAFT?
Absolutely not! Hypnosis is a legitimate subject of scientific inquiry. It has been defined by the United States Government as: “The bypass of the critical factor of the conscious mind and the establishment of acceptable, selective thinking.” In plain language: Hypnosis is a very natural state of mind which you experience many times a day. While in hypnosis, you have the ability to accept or reject, into your subconscious mind, any information that is being provided to you by a hypnotherapist, CD, MP3 download, or, even from yourself.
Hypnosis is an accepted form of therapy and has been endorsed by the British Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Medical Association.
ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIVE, CREDIBLE SOURCES YOU CAN QUOTE REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF HYPNOSIS?
“Hypnosis can help adult patients control pain, relieve gastrointestinal problems, stimulate weight loss, clear up skin problems, and accelerate the healing of bone fractures and surgical wounds.”
Consumer Reports, January 2005
“Hypnosis is not mind control. It’s a naturally occurring state of concentration; it’s actually a means of enhancing your control over both your mind and your body.”
Dr. David Spiegel, Assoc. Chair of Psychiatry
Stanford University School of Medicine
“Hypnosis has gained credibility because of research using the latest brain-imaging technology. Studies show hypnosis can help treat a multitude of disorders.”
Business Week, February 2004
“Hypnosis can help. A growing body of research supports the ancient practice as an effective tool in the treatment of a variety of problems, from anxiety to chronic pain.”
Newsweek, September 2004
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