What strikes a chord when you hear the word “hypnotherapy”?  A swinging watch, magic control of your mind? probably psychedelic induced spirals? It is actually a kind of brain-body mediation which employs the use of hypnosis to induce a condition of centred focus and increased salience while treating a clinical or mental disorder or condition. While hypnotherapy is useful in treating bodily pain and alleviating the effects of chemotherapy therapies, it is also an exciting independent remedy for obstructive sleep apnea, possibly seeking to avoid any necessity for the use of drugs and medication. Even though a few researchers remain sceptical of hypnotherapy, it has proved invaluable in healthcare situations as well as enlightening in mental function studies.

 What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy, also known as directed hypnosis or hypnosis therapy, is a strategy for therapy where an increased degree of mindfulness or care is accomplished by fixation, tranquility and centred concentration. In different terms, it incites a “trance” like frame of mind or an adjusted condition of consciousness in the patient. This technique uses the entrancing state, which takes into account a huge increase in response to suggestion, and the capacity to control a lot of involuntary physiological activities.

Reciprocal medication is a type of psychotherapy that uses one’s brain to help reduce or eliminate a variety of health issues, including mental health issues, worries, and deleterious or toxic lifestyles and compulsions. The goal of hypnotherapy is to help people make positive changes while they are near  a subconscious or subliminal mindframe.

 How does hypnotherapy work?

Hypnotherapy is performed by an authorized or registered healthcare professional that has gone through special training in this technique. This expert is a hypnotherapist.

Hypnotherapy utilizes hypnosis to assist patients with investigating troublesome ideas, sentiments, and encounters that are hidden from their conscious state. Hypnosis additionally helps individuals to have another viewpoint on things, like reducing pain awareness or addictions.

Hypnotherapy utilizes methods, for example,

  • Induction or relaxation: The hypnotherapist will utilize a few mesmerizing techniques to help you see yourself in a serene and relaxed state in any event, even when confronted with the source of your anxiety. At this point, you might enter a trance-like state almost like you are drifting asleep.
  • Suggestion: Your hypnotherapist might give delicate suggestions for changes in behavioural patterns that will help you to overcome your issues. The ideas will be at your disposal, you may choose to accept them or decline them.
  • Adapting abilities: You might be shown mental conduct survival techniques, such as directed photography as well as the “STOP” method, to use when facing stresses or concerns.
  • Previous encounters: You might be urged to talk about whenever you first experienced the symptom you are attempting to beat, and how you felt at that point. This is frequently used to examine and analyse the patient. The therapist uses the data from your recollection to figure out the condition and possible treatments that may not include further hypnotherapy.

What is hypnotherapy used for?

Using hypnosis to lighten actual pain and uneasiness, is an illustration of how it can help human health. Hypnotherapy has proved effective for different purposes, including:

  • Pain control: Burns, cancer, childbirth, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, joint disorders, dental issues, and migraines may all profit from medical hypnotherapy. It has also proven to be quite helpful in paediatric procedures.
  • Menopause: Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes.
  • Addiction relief: Insomnia, smoking, and overeating have all been effectively treated with hypnotherapy.
  • Self-esteem issues.
  • Weight reduction: Studies show that people who use hypnosis tend to lose over two times as much weight as the individuals who don’t. It also proves to be very effective in weight maintenance as those who use hypnotherapy tend to maintain proper weight.
  • Side effects of cancer therapy: It has been utilized to assist with adapting to the symptoms of chemotherapy and radiation.
  • Grief and Loss of a Loved One: hypnotherapy does not erase memories of a loved one but it helps patients deal with extreme grief and helps them find closure.
  • Mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, phobias, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can all be treated by hypnotizing individuals with mental health issues.

 What is hypnosis?

“Hypnosis” is gotten from the Greek word “hypnos,” which means “to sleep.”

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness with physiological characteristics similar to being asleep, however, the individual is at a unique level of cognitive function. This condition is recognized by expanded receptivity and response, in which interior insights are accorded a similar impact as the real world. Hypnosis is normally performed with the help of a hypnotist and includes the use of verbal reiteration and mental pictures.

 Does hypnosis work?

Hypnosis has different effects on different people. Studies show that 20% of the population is very susceptible to hypnosis, about 60% have a lesser reaction to it and 20% have no reaction at all.

Hypnosis does not work for everyone, but it does have the potential to do so. It does not work for some people simply because they do not believe it will or because they do not want it to work. The willingness of the mind in question is what makes hypnosis work. If someone is compelled to attend a hypnosis or hypnotherapy session to treat an addiction, such as drinking, there is a good probability it will not work. In order for hypnosis to be effective, the subject’s mind must be willing, peaceful, and trusting.

 Hypnosis Techniques

In hypnosis, numerous techniques and strategies are utilized. Induction and suggestion are the two major methods used.

  1. Hypnotic Induction

A hypnotic induction is the initial phase in hypnosis. The specialist utilizes this to put the client in a trance-like state where they are more open to suggestions. These are a couple of types of induction:

  • Relaxation technique

Relaxation is a famous therapist technique and a fundamental hypnosis technique. The client is more likely to slip into a trance and the psyche is more susceptible to suggestion when they are relaxed. They are more able to participate in discussion with the therapist or counsellor and accept indirect ideas.

  • Eye Fixation

To instigate a trance, any object of centre can be utilized. The “power pendulum” or a “swinging pocket watch” are the most common models, however these tools are now in stage hypnosis.

Nevertheless, eye fixation is effective in two ways. The object occupies the conscious mind, allowing the subconscious to be active and influenced. Second, when the eyes fixate or move back and forth, they become physically tired and the subject slowly falls into a trance.

  1. Hypnotic Suggestions

A suggestion is the desired behaviour that the client should key into. Post-hypnotic suggestions are given to a hypnotised person after they have entered trance, a state in which they are more susceptible to influence and this is where hypnotherapy comes into play. The following are two techniques for suggestion:

  • Direct Suggestion

A direct suggestion is an explicit command to perform a specific action. It is sometimes regarded as unethical because you wield power over the client as the authority (a doctor or hypnotist). With this method, the client is believed to have no say in the decision to change behaviour. This technique is not commonly used in hypnotherapy.

  • Indirect Suggestion

It is commonly used by certified hypnotherapists because it places control in the hands of the subject and respects the patient’s boundaries and ethics. It has been shown to be more effective for subjects who are resistant or sceptical of trance.

Misguided judgments of hypnotherapy

Numerous mental health experts actually question the viability of hypnotherapy. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions that might influence how people perceive this therapeutic method, most of which stem from social media depictions. These are a few misconceptions explained:

  • Hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis are the same: 

 Stage hypnotists are performers who read their crowd and pick friendly individuals who can put on an act for the rest of the crowd. It’s disputable whether their subjects are really mesmerized; however they’re ready to oblige the “skilful deception” systems of the stage hypnotist. Stage hypnosis is the entertainment application of hypnosis while the end goal of hypnotherapy is to help clients overcome different difficulties Hypnotherapy of mental health in fact centres on mental conditions, for example, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and other disorders.

. True hypnotherapy is not performed on stage as part of a show.

  • When people are hypnotised, they lose control of their bodies.

 During hypnosis and hypnotherapy, you have complete control over your body. You’ll be aware of what you’re doing and what you are asked to do unlike with stage hypnosis. You will not do what you are requested to do under hypnosis if you do not want to. Hypnotherapy will not make you go out of your ethical comfort zone or boundaries.

  • Everybody can be hypnotised.

Hypnosis is not for everyone. The effectiveness as well as the benefits of hypnotherapy could vary depending on the client and the condition being referred to. According to a study, around 20% of the population is extremely hypnotizable. Although the rest of the population can be hypnotised, they are less likely tolerant of the technique, generally as a result of these misguided judgments.

  • There is no memory of what occurs in a trance.

You will remember everything that happened in a hypnotherapy session, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to snap out of the trance at any time. 

  • It assumes command over you.

 It’s anything but a technique for mind control or brainwashing. You hold control all through hypnotherapy; nobody can make you do anything against your will and character. You may be focused on the task at hand and may not notice your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviours, and words. 

  • Sleep and hypnosis are the same.

During hypnosis and hypnotherapy, you might give off an impression of being asleep, however, you are truly conscious.  You’re just in a deep state of relaxation, in a trance-like state. Most people are sceptical of this but trance-like states of consciousness are not rare. You’ve been in a similar state if you’ve ever zoned out while watching a movie or daydreaming.

  • Being hypnotizable means you are less intelligent.

 While some people believe they cannot be hypnotised, studies show that most people can be hypnotised to some extent. 

  • When people are hypnotised, they are unable to lie.

There is no truth serum in hypnotherapy. During hypnosis, you are more open to suggestion, but you still have free will and moral judgement. It’s not possible for anyone to compel you to say whatever you would rather not say, lie or not.

 Risks involved with hypnosis and hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is not a risky process; however it is important to be aware of the potential adverse effects of various applications.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for someone who is experiencing psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions, or who is a victim of drug abuse. It should only be taken for pain relief after a doctor has examined the patient for any physical problems that may necessitate medical or surgical treatment.

Hypnotherapy of mental health

Hypnotherapy is used by some therapists to help people recall repressed memories that they believe are linked to their mental illness. However, if a person works with an unskilled hypnotherapist and wrong suggestions are sent, it can create misleading memories. Hypnotherapy is not advisable for people with dissociative disorders.

Adverse reactions to hypnosis are rare, but may include:

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety or distress

 Conclusion

Patients must be aware of the hazards and should be evaluated by medical professionals to ensure that they are healthy enough to undergo the treatment. Hypnotherapy may not always address the problem in one session, most therapists recommend starting with four to five sessions. After that, you can talk about how many more sessions are required. You can also discuss whether or not any maintenance sessions are required. You should use a professional hypnotist or hypnotherapist to ensure that the guided-hypnosis method is safe. They’ll devise a strategy to help you achieve your specific objectives.

Hypnotherapy is not hypnosis, but it does employ it to help patients with certain clinical or mental health difficulties.

 

If you’re interested in using hypnotherapy for weight loss, to stop smoking, reduction of anxiety and phobias or for the treatment of traumatic memories, Australia Counselling links you with professsional counsellors that offer hypnosis. Visit our hypnotherapy page to search for a counsellor or psychologist that offers hypnosis in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane or country areas of Australia.

 

  1. Hi I suffered a complicated marriage breakdown earlier this year after 38 years.

    I am wanting something to help me not relive it 24/7.

    Do you think hypnotherapy could help ?

    Joanne

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