The more you understand hypnotherapy, the more effective it is likely to be. Before attending any form of hypnosis it's important to debunk some of the myths and misconceptions around what it is, and what it isn't so you get the most out of it.
So here are the facts...
Hypnosis is a special way of using various naturally occurring psychological and physiological states. It is a collaborative process in which you allow yourself to follow the guidance of the therapist, using your imagination to evoke positive emotions and to rehearse behaviour change.
Everyone can, in theory, be hypnotised. It has been shown to help you relax, think positively and imagine the things being suggested.
Hypnotic ‘trance’ is not a trancelike state, it is simply an increased ability to respond to positive suggestions, usually accompanied by your relaxed attention on the ideas being suggested.
Hypnosis is definitely not a state of sleep or unconsciousness. Roughly 90% of people report being aware of everything that happens and whilst relaxation helps, it is not essential to hypnosis.
Hypnosis is definitely not a state of mind control. You cannot be made to do anything against your will. On the contrary, you must want to accept the suggested ideas and actively imagine responding to experience their effects.
Hypnosis is completely safe when used in a responsible and professional manner. Nobody has ever been ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.
Comedy or stage hypnosis has little to do with clinical hypnotherapy and has been shown to foster misconceptions which can prevent people from benefiting from treatment. Take what you see on television, on stage or in the media with a generous pinch of salt.
Hypnotic suggestion is a means of experiencing certain helpful ideas at a level profound enough to directly influence our emotions and behaviour.
Psychological and emotional problems can be seen as the result of negative thinking, whereas hypnotherapy aims to suggest positive ideas which can lead to improvement.
Hypnotherapy, except for smoking cessation, usually requires more than one session. However, it is probably one of the briefest forms of psychological therapy and in clinical studies the average number of sessions is around 4-6.
Hypnosis can help with an enormous range of different issues. Research tends to provide most support for the use of hypnosis in…
Anxiety management
Pain management
Overcoming sleep disorders
Treating certain psychosomatic or stress-related illnesses.
Hypnosis is also used to conquer habits such as nail biting or smoking cigarettes, and for personal development in areas such as sports performance, public speaking or enhancing creativity.
Thousands of positive experimental and clinical research studies on hypnosis have been published. It was recognised as an effective treatment by the British Medical Association (BMA) and American Medical Association (AMA) in the 1950’s and, more recently, by the American Psychological Association (for obesity) and NICE guidance (for IBS) used by the NHS.
Hypnosis is essentially a simple, down to earth and common sense therapy. By relaxing, thinking positively and picturing your goals, hypnosis can help you to progressively improve your habitual feelings and behaviour.
References
AMA (1958) ‘Council on Mental Health: Medical use os hypnosis’, JAMA, Sep 2013, 1958: 186-189.
BMA (1955) ‘Medical use of Hypnotism: Report of a Subcommittee appointed by the Psychological Medicine Group Committee of the British Medical Association’, Supplement to the BMJ Apr 23, 1955: 190-193, Appendix X.
BPS (2001) The Nature of Hypnosis. Leicester: BPS.
APA (1997) Update on Empirically Validated Treatments, The Clinical Psychologist, 1997.
Comments