Hypnotherapy: A Brief Introduction
Hypnotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis and various techniques that can lead to the promotion of healthier habits, improved self-esteem and confidence levels, relief from depression and anxiety. Hypnosis is a state where a person enters into a trance-like state through verbal suggestions (similar to a guided meditation). The client chooses to follow the commands given by the hypnotherapist. The session itself is usually predetermined with the client and hypnotherapist determining what they are working on and to what extent. Many different techniques used in hypnotherapy help reduce pain, deal with phobias, stop smoking, and deal with past life regression issues. Hypnotherapy helps break old behavioral patterns or create new ones. The earliest known reference to an induction technique comes from an ancient Egyptian text called “The Book of the Dead.” It was found on papyrus scrolls and written sometime between 1500 BC – 100 AD, it contains instructions for entering into this hypnotic state in order to be able to communicate with gods during one’s lifetime as well as after death in order to have one’s soul judged fairly. In the 1700s Hypnosis was introduced to the medical world. Though many researchers criticized it and it had lost its importance. But, now therapists and behavioral health specialists have understood the brighter part of Hypnosis. Therefore, modern medical experts are using Hypnotherapy to treat patients by exploring their minds.
How Hypnotherapy Works A Detailed Overview
Hypnotherapy is just a wonderful way to dive deep into your brain’s subconscious level. When a therapist finds the root of your problem inside your mind, he can treat your problems in an effective way.
Stages Of An Hypnotherapy Session
1) Relaxation
The first stage of your hypnotherapy will start after making you relaxed. In reality, hypnotherapy is one kind of meditation. That’s why your therapist will try to relax you. He may show you visuals or guided imagery. Sometimes music or certain instructions are also given to make you relaxed.
2) Suggestion
Your therapist may suggest you change your behavioral patterns. This may not be easy for you at first. But, after understanding the value of your new behavioral pattern, you would be ready to change it.
3) Skill Copying
Some types of new cognitive skills will be necessary for you to fight your fears or anxieties. Your therapist would guide you to learn those skills.
4) Reaching Your Subconscious Level
Your past experiences or the root of all your fears would be explored by the therapist. The expert may ask you questions or you may discuss with the therapist various past events. Thus, the therapist would reach your subconscious level and he/she would find the real reason behind your anxieties or fears.
Some Remarkable Benefits of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy Can Help To Fight –
- Dementia
- Pain During Certain Surgeries
- Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Irritable Bowel System
- Hyperactivity Disorders
- Chronic Pain Problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Grief and Trauma
Hypnotherapy helps to reduce pain, stress, anxiety, phobia, fears, and many behavioral disorders. Even, some people have taken the help of Hypnotherapy to lose weight and quit smoking. So, if Hypnotherapy is done under licensed therapists, then you can expect good results from it.
How Hypnotherapy Sessions Affect You
1) Conscious Experience
During a hypnotherapy session, you may not always go into a trance. Some people can understand everything around him/her. The person can discuss all the questions and he/she can answer questions. But, some people may reach a deeper level of relaxation. In that case, the person won’t be able to understand his/her surrounding consciously.
2) Focus
When you live your daily life, it’s almost impossible to think of singular subjects. Your spouse, office workers, phone, children, and more subjects remain in your head. So, you fail to focus.
But, Hypnotherapy teaches you – how to get relaxed and how to focus. Your mind will only focus on your prime problem and it would be easier for you to find the solution.
3) Safe and Relaxed
To eradicate your problems from their roots, you need to understand your brain’s subconscious world. So, the primary focus of Hypnotherapy is to make you relax. Your therapist may make you feel safe and he/she may tell you some sentences to inject confidence into your mind.
When you will be relaxed, you would be able to focus better on your problems. Thus, you can find a solution to fight your depression or fear, or phobia.
Does Hypnotherapy Have Negative Sides?
Hypnotherapy should not be applied to everybody. Some people may have psychotic problems or some people may experience hallucinations. In that case, Hypnotherapy should not be applied to them. Apart from that, mentally challenged persons should not be forced to undergo the hypnosis process. As some repressed memories can create confusion in their minds.
However, Hypnotherapy can create dizziness and mild anxiety in the person’s mind. Even, a person can have false memories after the Hypnotherapy sessions are over. So, Hypnotherapy should be always done by licensed practitioners.
Types of Misconceptions Associated With Hypnosis
1) Hypnosis: The Reality
The biggest misconception about hypnosis comes from TV or movies. But, the reality is completely different. Many people may have watched staged hypnosis. Thus, people have a wide range of misconceptions regarding hypnosis. But, you should not be afraid of hypnotic therapy. Because it’s used as a part of treatment. So, the therapist would have no intention to harm you.
2) Nobody Will Control Your Brain
Some people believe that hypnosis means the therapist would be able to control your brain fully. You will follow directions and you will do all the things, your therapist asks you.
But, this is a ridiculous misconception. Neither you will become unconscious nor you will follow any directions. You will be only relaxed and you can brake the session whenever you want.
3) You Won’t Lose Your Memories
Another misconception about hypnotherapy is that you will forget everything after the session is over. But, after a Hypnotherapy session, you forget nothing. You remember all the activities and all the questions. So, Hypnotherapy sessions won’t alter your memories.
4) You Are Not Less Intelligent
It’s a common belief that the persons who come under hypnosis are not so intelligent. But, it’s not true. Hypnosis is a process of deep meditation. Hence, there is no connection between hypnosis and brilliance.
So, Should You Go For Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is just a part of Hypnotherapy. If you have any behavioral disorders or mental trauma, then Hypnotherapy may help you. But, you may have to take medications and other therapeutic treatments along with Hypnotherapy.
Before going to a Hypnotherapy specialist, you should know about him/her. A licensed and experienced expert is the best. Moreover, the methods of hypnosis may vary. Hence, it’s your primary duty to know everything about the therapist before booking a session with him/her.
Modern medical science considers hypnotherapy to be an alternative one. Some mainstream medical experts don’t suggest this method. Because the information is not always reliable. But, hypnotherapy can be a fruitful and effective way to explore your mind. Sometimes only one piece of information would be enough to end all your fears and anxieties. So, you should choose Hypnotherapy after consulting a licensed medical expert.
