Submitted by Kiri on
By Ralph Goldsmith (Hypnotherapist specialising in Stress, Anxiety and Phobia Management)
While everyone has heard of hypnosis, most peoples ideas of what it's all about come from seeing stage or street hypnotists, seeing it on TV or in films, or perhaps reading about it in fiction books.
This leads to a lot of myths and misconceptions about hypnosis that can lead to people being nervous, or even afraid, of seeing a hypnotherapist for help. That's why I've compiled this list of the top 10 myths about hypnosis and hypnotherapy
1. Hypnosis is magic.
Hypnosis is not magic. It is not connected in any way to the occult or the paranormal. In fact hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that you have probably experienced many times, without even being aware of it.
2. Hypnosis is going to sleep.
Actually, when you are hypnotised you are very much awake and aware of everything that's going on. In fact that awareness is crucial to the success of hypnotherapy as, if you are not aware then it is unlikely that anything that happens during the sessions will have an effect.
3. I won't remember what happens to me when I am hypnotised. Normally you will remember everything that happens during a session except where you choose to forget. For example, if you regressed and experienced a painful or traumatic event from your past that you don't yet feel ready to deal with you may choose not to remember it until you are ready to deal with it.
4. I will not be in control when I am hypnotised.
You will always be in control. Hypnosis requires your total cooperation. If I, as a hypnotherapist, do anything, or suggest that you do anything, that you don't agree with, you will simply reject it, and maybe come out of the hypnotic state.
5. I may reveal things that I don't want to when I am hypnotised.
Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You remain completely in control and you will never say anything that you don't want to.
6. I may get 'stuck' in a trance.
You will be able to come out of the hypnotic state anytime that you want to. It's true that some people resist 'waking up' but that's only because the hypnotic state can feel so pleasant and relaxed that they want to stay there. As a hypnotherapist I know exactly how to make sure you come out of the state easily, and even if I did nothing you would eventually come out on your own when something demanded your attention.
7. I may be given Post Hypnotic Suggestions to do things I don't want to do. Post Hypnotic Suggestions are used in Hypnotherapy, often to directly address the problem being worked on, or to make going into a hypnotic state in later sessions much quicker and easier. As with any suggestions you will only accept those suggestions that you agree to and that are for your higher good. Any suggestions that you do not agree with will simply be rejected.
8. Very intelligent people can't be hypnotised.
Actually the reverse is normally true. Intelligent people normally find it easier to achieve a hypnotic state.
9. Strong willed people can't be hypnotised.
This one is only true if the person doesn't want to be hypnotised, in which case it doesn't really matter whether you are strong willed or not. If you don't want to be hypnotised then you won't be.
10. I've never been in a trance before.
I hear this one a lot. People genuinely believe that they have never experienced a trance state, even though they almost certainly have.
If you drive a car then you may remember a time when you have driven a familiar journey and when it's almost over you suddenly realise that you have no real recollection of the journey up to that point. Or maybe you have become so engrossed in a film, or book, that the rest of the world seems to fade away.
These are all examples of a naturally occurring light hypnotic state.
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