Who can be hypnotized?
The degree of susceptibility to hypnosis is individual: some patients are hypnotized easily enough, others are more difficult. The depth of immersion in hypnosis depends on many factors, such as fear, prejudice toward this method, religious beliefs. People with obsessive states, for example with obsessive-compulsive disorders, practically do not succumb to hypnosis. Hypnotherapy does not promise patients a magical cure, does not force to perform any actions against the will or make a ridiculous of themselves. A person in a state of hypnosis does not sleep and does not lose consciousness - he is in a state of pleasant deep relaxation.
Choosing a hypnotherapist
To master the technique of hypnosis is easy enough. However, this one skill does not make a hypnotherapist from a person. Hypnotherapy sessions can be conducted only by qualified specialists with medical education or clinical psychologists working in this direction. This is especially important in the event that a person has an unexpected reaction to hypnosis, only a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist can cope with it. Hypnosis is used to treat many somatic diseases and mental disorders, to alleviate pain and improve physical fitness. In a hypnotic state, a patient placed in a calm and comfortable environment is offered to imagine that he is in a real stressful situation. If at any stage there is emotional discomfort, the doctor stops the session, giving the patient the opportunity to relax. After a hypnosis session, a sense of relief arises that prevents anxiety. As a result, when the patient again faces such a stressful situation, it becomes less traumatic for him. Many believe that using hypnosis can get rid of pathological conditions that are not amenable to drug therapy. Since hypnosis is a natural method, it has no side effects, which are often observed with traditional medicines
Hypnotherapy is used:
• for the treatment of psychoemotional disorders;
• for the treatment of somatic diseases;
• to improve physical fitness.
Treatment conditions
With the help of hypnotherapy, you can get rid of such an unpleasant symptom as excessive sweating, which is one of the manifestations of anxiety. The treatment is that patients in a state of hypnosis are exposed to various factors (from simple to more complex) that cause a feeling of fear. If a person experiences excessive dust, the doctor stops the session and gives him the opportunity to relax. Treatment continues until the patient will not react to the stressful situation calmly. This technique is also used for impotence, fear of travel, post-traumatic stress disorders.
In cancer patients, hypnotherapy is used:
• to reduce pain;
• to facilitate nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy;
• for improvement of motor functions;
• to increase appetite. Hypnosis is also used in other situations, for example:
• for anxiety conditions (for example, before taking exams); with migraine; with skin diseases.
In addition to cancer patients, hypnosis is used to reduce pain in other patients suffering from various physical illnesses, as well as in dentistry. Some hypnotherapists believe that they can replace anesthesia with extensive surgical interventions. Nevertheless, the presence of an anesthesiologist during such an operation is mandatory. It is believed that hypnosis contributes to improving athletic form and personal achievement. For example, hypnotherapy has a beneficial effect on athletes involved in sports such as golf, football, shooting, skiing. Some gymnasts - participants of the Olympic Games - used hypnotherapy to achieve better results, and professional singers - to improve the quality of singing. Hypnotherapy was also used to increase endurance in sports. During the first consultation, the hypnotherapist asks the patient to tell about his problem. The doctor explains the essence of the upcoming procedure and how to achieve the best result. Patients often do not know what to expect from a meeting with a hypnotherapist. At the first consultation the doctor tries to understand the essence of the patient's problems as much as possible.
First consultation
The amount of time needed to collect an anamnesis depends on the nature and complexity of the problem. Sometimes the entire first consultation is dedicated to this. However, the hypnosis session can often be spent already, but the time of the first visit. When collecting an anamnesis, a doctor should pay attention to the possibility of having a patient with a severe mental illness, which is a contraindication to the procedure. Before the session, the hypnotherapist explains the essence of the method to the patient and answers all the questions that arise. The most common fears are:
• Can I lose control over myself during hypnotherapy? Will the hypnotherapist manage me? Loss of control over self during hypnotherapy is a myth. In fact, the state of hypnosis is just a form of deep relaxation.
• Will I be aware of what is happening around me during hypnotherapy? The patient is conscious and feels only a pleasant relaxation.
• Are all susceptible to hypnosis?
Most patients may immerse themselves in a state of hypnosis, the depth of which will be sufficient for hypnotherapy. However, the susceptibility to it is different. For example, patients with obsessive compulsions agree with difficulty on hypnosis - and they are difficult to enter into a hypnotic state. To hypnotize people with obsessive-compulsive disorders is possible only in rare cases.
• Who is hypnotized the most? People who are capable of reincarnation, for example actors and extroverts.
• Does the depth of immersion in the hypnotic state affect its effectiveness? The depth of hypnosis does not directly affect the results of treatment.
• Will hypnosis help me? Treatment with hypnosis is a joint work of a doctor and patient. In addition, in some cases, patients are encouraged to repeat what they did during sessions. One of the mandatory conditions for immersion in hypnosis is the readiness for this patient, which can be checked during a trial session. There are many methods of introduction into the hypnotic state. All of them are based on the fact that the patient concentrates on a part of the body or an external object (real or fictitious).
Deepening Hypnosis
When the patient is relaxed enough to begin treatment, the hypnotherapist can deepen immersion in hypnosis. He begins to slowly count from one to ten, during which the patient more and more relaxes. Instead of counting, the hypnotherapist can offer the patient to imagine how he walks around the garden, with each new step feeling an increasing relaxation.
"Safe place"
Then the hypnotherapist asks to imagine a situation in which the patient feels most comfortable - to imagine a "safe place". For example, with the ashes of traveling by train, the patient first presents himself walking towards the railway station (although for someone even this may be a serious stress). At the command of a doctor, instead of a stressful situation, the patient is mentally transferred to a "safe place". Over time, once again in such a situation, he will perceive it as less disturbing.
Self hypnosis and end of session
Before immersing in a hypnosis state, many hypnotherapists teach patients self-hypnosis so that they can help themselves when a specialist is not around. Practically anyone can master the technique of self-hypnosis, but this requires special skills. After exiting the state of hypnosis, the hypnotherapist inspires the patient with a sense of cheerfulness, helping to get rid of drowsiness. This technique does not apply to self-hypnosis. Before allowing the patient to leave the room, the hypnotherapist must make sure that he has completely left hypnosis. During the session, the doctor asks the patient to imagine the situation in which he feels comfortable. This method is used to alleviate anxiety and fear in a state of hypnosis. Patients present this place in different ways: some see it in bright colors, for others, auditory sensations are more important; Someone smells and tastes, others can feel how they move objects, or touch them. In some cases, the visual picture is missing, but patients clearly feel that they are in a certain place or participate in some events. Regardless of the patient's feelings, representing an imaginary place during a hypnosis session is an important factor in recovery. The earlier after the hypnotherapy session the patient will be in a stressful situation, the more effective the treatment will be. This approach allows you to cope with even the most difficult problems. During a hypnosis session, the sense of time is often lost. For example, patients who spent 40 minutes or more in a hypnotic state believe that it took only 5-10 minutes.