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The experience
described is not unlike daydreaming, when your critical faculties
are suspended and you are open to suggestion. These suggestions
help people to make positive changes within themselves.
Hypnosis is normally conducted by one individual addressing another,
or it may be conducted by ones self (self-hypnosis). The light trance
experience is a naturally occurring state in which one's attention
is narrowly focused and is relatively free of distraction. It is
the role of the hypnotherapist to induce a hypnotic trance-like
state in order to help one overcome addictions and phobias, e.g.
such as fear of flying, or to relieve pain or stress contributing
to illnesses such as asthma and irritable bowl syndrome etc.
So to summarise:
Hypnotic suggestion
can influence behaviour when the listener is:
- Relaxed,
receptive and open to the suggestion.
- May experience
visual, auditory, and/or kinaesthetic representations of the
suggestion and by the therapist
- Anticipates
and envisions that these suggestions will result in future outcomes.
What
it's supposed to do
Hypnosis
bypasses the conscious mind, allowing direct communication with
the unconscious. The readiness and ability of patients to be hypnotised
varies considerably. Hypnotherapy generally requires several sessions
in order to achieve meaningful results. However, the patient is
normally taught the technique of self-hypnosis in the first session
and is encouraged to be practise at home. This approach helps to
serve in two key ways, firstly, to reinforce the usefulness of formal
sessions with the therapist. Secondly, it can help counter distress
and anxiety-related conditions in between sessions and to speed
up the treatment process.
Hypnotherapy is said to be particularly useful for habit problems
like bedwetting in children, smoking, compulsive eating and nail
biting; and stress-related or psychosomatic conditions like skin
problems, irritable bowel syndrome and migraine; pain relief, phobias,
panic attacks, lack of confidence, inhibitions and sexual problems.
Applications
of Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Hypnosis
has many applications in therapeutic settings. Among them are:
- Building
Confidence
- Treating
Phobias, Fears and Anxiety
- Sleep Disorders
and Disturbances
- Interpersonal
Problems
- Depression
- Sexual Difficulties
- Psychosomatic
Complaints
- Post Trauma
Relief
- Pain Management
- Stress Management
- Habit Control
- Academic
Performance
- Athletic
Performance
- Help with
Life Transitions
- Preparation
for Medical/Dental Procedures
- Blocks to
Motivation and Creativity
- Treatment
of Grief and Loss
What
happens next?
Contrary to
popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep. However,
it does involve the induction of a trance-like condition, but when
in it, the patient is actually in an enhanced state of awareness,
concentrating entirely on the hypnotheraptist's voice. In this state,
the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is revealed.
The therapist is able to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations
to the patient, the seeds of which become firmly planted.
A hypnosis session
often starts with a detailed discussion with the therapist when
explanations on hypnotherapy and a case history will be taken. The
patient will have an opportunity to identify and to communicate
the desire goals or outcomes to the therapist. It is at this stage
that the therapist will construct a suitable treatment plan and
obtain agreement with the patient as to what the course of treatment
contains within each session.
An induction
procedure will be used as you sit or lie on a reclining chair or
couch where your state of consciousness will be altered, in such
a way that the left hand side of the brain will be distracted or
turned off, whilst the non-analytical right-hand side is made more
alert. Simply put, the conscious control of the mind is inhibited,
and the subconscious mind is awoken. You are now entering a light
trance.
During trance,
you are not immobilised. You know exactly where you are the entire
time. You can adjust your position, open your eyes and bring yourself
out of trance at any time you wish. During trance, you can still
hear sounds around you e.g. a phone ringing. You can alert yourself
and respond to any situation that needs your immediate attention.
You remain oriented as to person, place, and time. You can even
hold a conversation in trance.
Hypnosis cannot
cause anyone to do something against their will or some thing that
contradicts their values. First, a hypnotherapist is ethically required
to make only those suggestions that support agreed-upon outcomes.
Second, in keeping with the internal fight or flight mechanism,
patients are not receptive to suggestions that go against their
morals or values---because receptivity is one of the ingredients
of success in hypnosis.
It is important to remember, hypnosis cannot solve every problem.
Even with hypnosis, it may still be necessary for you, together
with the help of your therapist, to do some conscientious planning
and active participation in bringing about the types of changes
you wish to achieve.
Risks
and Precautions
Hypnotherapy
carries very few risks, however, hypnosis may be contraindicated
for individuals with certain medical problems, or who are actively
abusing drugs and/or alcohol, or who are delusional or hallucinatory.
In a certain cases, consultation with the patient's doctor will
be necessary in cases involving symptoms relating to physical illnesses
and pain.
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