Answers to your questions. Misconceptions about Hypnosis

Is

the hypnotized person under total control of the hypnotist?

Many people who have never experienced hypnosis often have a very mystified representation of hypnosis created by the literature of past centuries, fictional films, television shows where the hypnotist is believed to have an unlimited power over others like a magician or a witch, to take control over the hypnotized subject and thus to to make him obey by depriving him of all free will. Hypnosis often incites fear, apprehension, or rather, a desire to transfer the image of omnipotence on the person of the hypnotherapist hoping that he heals all pains with a wave of a magic wand, while the concerned person makes no effort, not even noticing the how and why of healing.

In reality, therapeutic hypnosis today is very different from the spectacle of hypnosis. The hypnotherapist does not seek either to submit the subject, to do work against his values ​​and principles, or to favor the spectacular appearance over the therapeutic goal of the session. The contemporary hypnosis has developed many new tools respectful of the person while maintaining and even increasing the effectiveness of the therapy. The person in hypnotic state keeps his will, the ability to make choices, not to accept a suggestion of the therapist at any time if a session seems uncomfortable for him.

Is a hypnotic state equal to the state of sleep?

The state of hypnosis is not a state of sleep in a sense of the night sleep. Induction: " Sleep !" belongs to previous centuries. Now it is proved that the hypnotized subject does not sleep, but is in an altered state of consciousness of a different depth, more or less separated from the surrounding reality, while remaining connected with the hypnotherapist. Most often, the subject is in a state of a light hypnosis and may seem to keep all his faculties of conscience. The magnetic state, but also a somnambulic state which were often confused with sleep are a kind of deep hypnotic state.

I was aware of what was going on during a hypnosis session - so I was not under hypnosis?

It is now recognized that the person in hypnotic state is more or less aware of his or her surroundings and of the content of the session, thus remaining a passive spectator. This awareness depends on the person's ability to become absorbed in his or her inner world and dissociate his or her self from the surrounding reality. This ability varies from person to person, and may be different for the same person from one session to another. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that the presence of consciousness does not prevent the therapeutic work from being done in parallel with the conscious work. The spontaneous amnesia following hypnosis is not a common phenomenon contrary to what is often believed. The spontaneous amnesia may occur following a deep hypnotic trance. It is noted, however, that people capable of deep trance represent a small percentage of the population.

The deeper the trance, the greater the therapeutic effect?

The depth of hypnotic state is no correlated with the therapeutic effect of the session. A light trance is often sufficient. In addition, there is a form of hypnosis which is a conversational « hypnosis without hypnosis », hypnotic state giving very good results. In this state the person has the impression of being completely conscious, speaks, moves, understands, but becomes very suggestible.

Some people suffer from an inferiority complex, are terribly afraid to appear weak in front of a hypnotherapist, and resist as much they can, trying to prove that they are stronger than the hypnotherapist. It's pretty silly on their part, because by doing so they are sabotaging the therapeutic work. But whatever the problems destroying their life, appearing stronger is more important at this moment. So it can be useful to revise expectations about the state of hypnosis and analyze your eventual resistance.

I'm not hypnotizable, hypnosis is not for me? ..

Everyone experiences a light hypnotic state several times a day when driving on a well known long road, noticing with surprise that we did so automaticly and unconsciously, or attending a long monotonous and boring speech, we let ourselves be absorbed by our thoughts, we are also absorbed by television, computer or an interesting book without paying any attention to what goes around, when we are dreaming about something, praying or meditating, listening to some music or dancing, writing, drawing … These natural trance states are common for everybody.

However, each person has different abilities to experience trance states of a varying depth. Someone easily sinks into a deep state of trance, and it may even seem that he fell asleep. Others, especially those who are constantly tense and feel they need to control everything, usually during first sessions go into light trances, where the body relaxes becoming heavy, but they have the impression that they retain full control of the situation because they hear and understand everything. This state feels like the moment when you have just woken up, but get neither strength, nor the desire to move. After the session, they feel relaxed just like after a dream. Others start with a light trance and slowly sink deeper and deeper during the session. They think that they are falling asleep. People with developed imaginations see everything in pictures. Some may even feel kinesthetic sensations. As for the results, there is no difference in which state you are. All people are hypnotizable in varying degrees. The main thing is whether you want to let a transmitted information reach your subconscious mind or you want to resist. Whether you agree with the message given to you or not. Another thing - your conscious resistance. In this case you take the responsibility for it.

Fear and apprehension of the subject may cause a certain resistance to the hypnotherapist. This obstacle can be easily lifted. The establishment of a climate of trust between the subject and the hypnotherapist is necessary for the induction into the hypnotic state.

It is also useful to review your expectations of the state of hypnosis. Therapeutic hypnotic trance has nothing to do with possession of the body by any spirits.

Are you afraid of losing control under hypnosis?

Fear of losing control means a lack of an inner security. Typically, these people are trying to maintain control in every situation including hypnosis, and let themselves go into a very light trance like in a meditation. Usually after my sessions a sense of inner security increases and it becomes easier to lose control during the following sessions and in life in general.

Anna Iourenkova

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