Are you considering seeing a hypnotherapist or watching self-hypnosis videos to help with your
anxiety but don't really understand hypnosis. If so you've clicked on the right video because I'm
going to answer some of the most common questions people have about hypnosis.
Firstly what is hypnosis. You will find many definitions of hypnosis but I think this one
from the American Psychological Association sums it up best. Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique in
which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax
them and focus their minds. I will explain what this procedure involves later. Is hypnosis
suitable for everyone well it's suitable for most people but there are some exceptions.
It's not suitable for people with severe mental illness like psychosis or personality disorders
and may be difficult for people with attention deficit problems or learning difficulties.
A good question asked by one of my subscribers is does hypnosis work for everyone
or do you need to be a candidate for it. Hypnotic suggestibility is a trait.
Some people are more suggestible than others and a small percentage are highly suggestible and these
people will benefit the most but even people with average suggestibility can still get some benefit.
Hypnosis is something that you do not something that is done to you. If you
choose not to follow the instructions and be resistant then he will certainly get no benefit.
Despite what is shown in many old horror films hypnosis does not mean someone else
is in control of your mind so there is no need to be nervous or resistant.
Another common question is will I do something stupid. This is because people confuse clinical
hypnosis with stage hypnosis. With stage hypnosis there's a whole bunch of psychological tricks
and deceptions going on to produce the entertaining shows that you've seen on TV.
It's too much to explain here but I may cover it in a future video but in short you will
not do anything silly as a result of seeing a hypnotherapist or watching a hypnosis video.
Next is it effective, I have a whole video on this subject which is linked at the top of the screen,
but to summarize you were unlikely to completely hypnotize away
an anxiety disorder but when combined with other therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy
it can be very effective. That's why I'm currently making a hypnosis video for panic
attacks which reinforces what my subscribers have learned from my cbt series on panic disorder.
A major benefit of hypnosis is that it can be used to relax you when you are feeling anxious
and is a great tool to use when desensitizing for phobias or panic attacks.
So what does hypnosis feel like. Well it doesn't really feel like anything. Many people think they
will suddenly notice a change of state but it's just a gradual feeling of relaxation
but a very deep relaxation. In this deep state of relaxation and focus you're more likely to
accept suggestions that benefit you. This is not something magical. It happens to you every day.
When you are relaxed watching the TV have you noticed when the adverts come on they turn up the
volume. This is to focus your attention before they make suggestions to buy some product or
other but with hypnosis the suggestions are to benefit you not an advertiser's profits.
Next what's the difference between hypnosis and self-hypnosis.
With hypnosis the hypnotherapist discusses your goals and writes a hypnosis script to suit you.
With self-hypnosis you learn how to do hypnosis yourself
and write your own script. There are many good books that teach you how to do this.
In between these two are hypnosis videos or recordings. The script is written by
the hypnotherapist and is very general but based on one goal like a specific anxiety disorder but
you are in control of when and how frequently you watch it and they have the benefit of being free.
So what does the hypnotic procedure involve. Well there are many variations but it involves
something to focus your mind like a few deep breaths followed by guided imagery or relaxing
different parts of your body and may be counting backwards. These instructions are interspersed
with suggestions of relaxation. When the mind is focused and relaxed the therapy part begins.
The therapist gives beneficial suggestions related to the problem that you want to address
and then brings the session to the end usually by bringing your attention back to your environment
counting up and telling you to open your eyes.
A session typically lasts around 15 to 20 minutes.
By the way if you fall asleep when listening to a hypnosis recording it really doesn't matter
you will just wake up as normal although many people find they sleep much better after hypnosis.
So hopefully this video has given you a better understanding of hypnosis.
If you would like to try hypnosis please subscribe and click on the notification bell
as I will shortly be releasing the hypnosis video for panic attacks.
If it proves popular I will make hypnosis videos for other anxiety disorders and phobias.