Hypnosis Q&A
Hypnosis: "A *trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject."
*There is some debate over whether or not hypnosis is a distinct state at all.
There are many false myths about hypnosis that have been started or spread by TV shows and movies so let me get rid of some of these misunderstandings for you. First off you cannot be stuck in hypnosis. If I were to put you into deep trance and leave you there without talking to you or interacting with you, you would soon come out of hypnosis on your own. Next you cannot be forced to do something against your will under hypnosis. Everyone has a moral code of some kind. For example someone is restricted by there religion not to eat a certain type of meat, If I were to tell him to eat that meat under hypnosis he would simply sit there and wait for another acceptable suggestion. Another myth is that you can be forced into hypnosis against your will. You can be put into hypnosis without your knowledge but not agains your will. Some people also think that if you are smart you cannot be hypnotized and only dumb people can be hypnotized. In fact its just the opposite, The smarter you are the deeper and faster you go into hypnosis simply because you need to be able to concentrate on the hypnotist.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a very normal and natural altered state of consciousness (an altered state of awareness), one we all experience from time to time in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused on something. Have you ever "become really absorbed" while watching TV? Or driven to work on "auto pilot?" That's the same kind of altered state as hypnosis.
Some misconceptions about hypnosis are that it's a frightening or eerie state, or that it feels very weird, but it's actually very normal and very pleasant.
Some people ask if they've really been hypnotised, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting
something very strange. The zombie-type states you see depicted in movies and on TV are pure fantasy.
Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis itself is unlikely to assist in a relief of symptoms, whatever those symptoms might be.
It is the therapy – hypnotherapy - which is carried out within the altered state that is significant.
It adopts two altogether different forms in its clinical approach.
How does it feel to be hypnotised?
It feels great! Hypnosis is a natural state that feels similar to that feeling you get right before you fall asleep at night.
When you awaken, you feel refreshed and revitalised.
You just feel as if you are relaxing in a very comfortable space with your eyes closed. You can hear everything--my voice, the sounds outside the building, a car going down the street outside, whatever.
Think about it - your unconscious mind uses the same set of ears that your conscious mind hears with! How effective would it be if, once you entered the trance state, you suddenly lost all ability to hear the hypnotherapists's words?
You're mindful the entire time, aware of everything going on around you as well as what your unconscious is revealing to you.
I liken it to watching TV in one room while a radio plays in another; you can shift your awareness back and forth between the
two, concentrating on one but still aware of the other.
Is hypnosis "mind control?"
Not at all. No one under hypnosis can be induced to do anything against his or her will. Whatever moral and ethical codes you hold in a normal waking state will still be in place under hypnosis. You can actually lie when in hypnosis.
Your unconscious mind was formed when you were about age five. Its job is to protect and help you. Just like you cannot be made to do anything against your moral code, you will not say anything that is embarrassing and will not reveal more than you are comfortable doing. Usually, if a hypnotherapist`s suggestion conflicts with a client's value system, the client simply brings him or herself up out of hypnosis; they just "wake up." You are in complete control at all times.
Hypnotherapy is a gentle, loving process and hypnotherapists are trained to not judge.
You will heal and change in your own timing.
How much will I remember?
It depends, some people remeber everything and some people remeber almost nothing, this is not because of a suggestion by the hypnotist that they will forget, it is because of a slight amnesia that usually occurs after being hypnotized, It is usually remembered later that day.
Can hypnosis hurt me?
In over two hundred years of recorded hypnosis history, there is no documented case of anyone being hurt with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way. If anyone tries to give you suggestions against your morals, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about, you could instantly emerge from the state of relaxation on your own.
Who can be hypnotized?
Most people can be hypnotized, and different people go into hypnosis in different ways. Part of the hypnotist's job is to identify what approach will work best for which subject. Those who have trouble trusting the hypnotist or the process, may take more time to go into a hypnotic state, and may not enjoy as many benefits.
There is a common idea that those with 'a strong will' cannot be hypnotized. It has been shown that intelligent people can be hypnotized faster because they have greater access to their imagination, and can follow instructions. In fact, those with an extremely low intelligence cannot be hypnotized at all. The biggest prerequisite to someone being able to be hypnotized is their willingness.
What about stage shows?
Sometimes hypnosis is feared, because often the view of the subject surrendering their 'will' is reinforced by stage hypnotism. It is helpful to remember that stage hypnotists design their shows for entertainment purposes, which include participants doing strange things. What people don't realize is that the stage hypnotist chooses only those who are highly suggestible, and may have a desire to have a "different" or less inhibited experience of themselves. In a hypnotic state, people can give themselves permission to do many things that they may not otherwise be able to do.
*There is some debate over whether or not hypnosis is a distinct state at all.
There are many false myths about hypnosis that have been started or spread by TV shows and movies so let me get rid of some of these misunderstandings for you. First off you cannot be stuck in hypnosis. If I were to put you into deep trance and leave you there without talking to you or interacting with you, you would soon come out of hypnosis on your own. Next you cannot be forced to do something against your will under hypnosis. Everyone has a moral code of some kind. For example someone is restricted by there religion not to eat a certain type of meat, If I were to tell him to eat that meat under hypnosis he would simply sit there and wait for another acceptable suggestion. Another myth is that you can be forced into hypnosis against your will. You can be put into hypnosis without your knowledge but not agains your will. Some people also think that if you are smart you cannot be hypnotized and only dumb people can be hypnotized. In fact its just the opposite, The smarter you are the deeper and faster you go into hypnosis simply because you need to be able to concentrate on the hypnotist.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a very normal and natural altered state of consciousness (an altered state of awareness), one we all experience from time to time in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused on something. Have you ever "become really absorbed" while watching TV? Or driven to work on "auto pilot?" That's the same kind of altered state as hypnosis.
Some misconceptions about hypnosis are that it's a frightening or eerie state, or that it feels very weird, but it's actually very normal and very pleasant.
Some people ask if they've really been hypnotised, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting
something very strange. The zombie-type states you see depicted in movies and on TV are pure fantasy.
Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis itself is unlikely to assist in a relief of symptoms, whatever those symptoms might be.
It is the therapy – hypnotherapy - which is carried out within the altered state that is significant.
It adopts two altogether different forms in its clinical approach.
How does it feel to be hypnotised?
It feels great! Hypnosis is a natural state that feels similar to that feeling you get right before you fall asleep at night.
When you awaken, you feel refreshed and revitalised.
You just feel as if you are relaxing in a very comfortable space with your eyes closed. You can hear everything--my voice, the sounds outside the building, a car going down the street outside, whatever.
Think about it - your unconscious mind uses the same set of ears that your conscious mind hears with! How effective would it be if, once you entered the trance state, you suddenly lost all ability to hear the hypnotherapists's words?
You're mindful the entire time, aware of everything going on around you as well as what your unconscious is revealing to you.
I liken it to watching TV in one room while a radio plays in another; you can shift your awareness back and forth between the
two, concentrating on one but still aware of the other.
Is hypnosis "mind control?"
Not at all. No one under hypnosis can be induced to do anything against his or her will. Whatever moral and ethical codes you hold in a normal waking state will still be in place under hypnosis. You can actually lie when in hypnosis.
Your unconscious mind was formed when you were about age five. Its job is to protect and help you. Just like you cannot be made to do anything against your moral code, you will not say anything that is embarrassing and will not reveal more than you are comfortable doing. Usually, if a hypnotherapist`s suggestion conflicts with a client's value system, the client simply brings him or herself up out of hypnosis; they just "wake up." You are in complete control at all times.
Hypnotherapy is a gentle, loving process and hypnotherapists are trained to not judge.
You will heal and change in your own timing.
How much will I remember?
It depends, some people remeber everything and some people remeber almost nothing, this is not because of a suggestion by the hypnotist that they will forget, it is because of a slight amnesia that usually occurs after being hypnotized, It is usually remembered later that day.
Can hypnosis hurt me?
In over two hundred years of recorded hypnosis history, there is no documented case of anyone being hurt with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way. If anyone tries to give you suggestions against your morals, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about, you could instantly emerge from the state of relaxation on your own.
Who can be hypnotized?
Most people can be hypnotized, and different people go into hypnosis in different ways. Part of the hypnotist's job is to identify what approach will work best for which subject. Those who have trouble trusting the hypnotist or the process, may take more time to go into a hypnotic state, and may not enjoy as many benefits.
There is a common idea that those with 'a strong will' cannot be hypnotized. It has been shown that intelligent people can be hypnotized faster because they have greater access to their imagination, and can follow instructions. In fact, those with an extremely low intelligence cannot be hypnotized at all. The biggest prerequisite to someone being able to be hypnotized is their willingness.
What about stage shows?
Sometimes hypnosis is feared, because often the view of the subject surrendering their 'will' is reinforced by stage hypnotism. It is helpful to remember that stage hypnotists design their shows for entertainment purposes, which include participants doing strange things. What people don't realize is that the stage hypnotist chooses only those who are highly suggestible, and may have a desire to have a "different" or less inhibited experience of themselves. In a hypnotic state, people can give themselves permission to do many things that they may not otherwise be able to do.