hypnosis FAQ
1. What about stage hypnotists?
Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with what can be seen on stage where performers try to manipulate people into acting in silly ways for entertainment. Unfortunately, much of the public knowledge of hypnosis is based on such shows, which very often leads to a fear of hypnosis and a reluctance on the part of many people to seek for the help that hypnosis can give.
Stage hypnotists use specific processes for selecting their subjects. Typically a good stage hypnotist will select those people who want to be on stage, either to show that they are good hypnotic subjects, or just to have fun in an uninhibited atmosphere where everybody expects them to act silly anyway. The people on stage are made to do anything they don't want to.
2. Who would benefit from hypnosis?
Almost anyone can gain from Hypnosis. We do not know of any field where it cannot be used beneficially. For example, it is well known that people cannot do their best when under stress, full of fear, or with "butterflies in their stomach." With hypnosis you can learn to relax, stimulate your desire for achievement, get rid of those butterflies, and increase your courage and confidence. You can use hypnosis to break a bad habit, to remove fear, to relax during a physical or mental examination, to remove apprehension, to relieve pre-operative tension and post-operative discomfort, to curb excessive drinking, to alleviate pain, etc.
3. Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes, anyone can be hypnotised if they are willing to. Going into trance is a natural part of our rest and reflection cycles. However, some people are more easily hypnotised than others. This depends on the individual's personality and state of mind. Therefore some people may need as few as one session, whilst others may require several. Going into 'formal' hypnosis such as in a structured hypnotherapy session is a learnable skill which can be improved with practice. Just by shutting my eyes now for a few moments I can go very quickly into the 'alpha' state of relaxation, much like in practicing meditation.
4. What is a post hypnotic suggestion?
It is a suggestion given to a subject in the hypnotic state that is to be carried out minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, even years later in the waking state. The purpose of the post-hypnotic suggestion is to help the subject change his habits and attitudes. For example, if a subject has an irrational fear of entering an elevator, he could be given a post hypnotic suggestion that the next time he has to use an elevator, he can enter it and experience the same pleasant sensation he is aware of upon entering his home.
5. Will the hypnotised subject carry out all suggestions that are given to him by the hypnotist?
No. The subject will not do anything that is against his own code of ethics. If asked to do something that violates his moral code the subject will either refuse to carry out the suggestion or spontaneously awaken.
6. If hypnosis is so good, why is it not used more often?
This is probably due to the mores and taboos of our culture and its unfortunate association in the media with stage or ‘showbiz’ hypnosis. Hypnosis was pushed underground by some medical leaders of the last century. Now with the approval of the British Medical Association, it is having a rebirth. Although more doctors are using it each year, it will take many more years to educate the public and the medical profession to the real value of hypnosis. It is encouraging to note that each year there are an increasing number of medical schools adding hypnosis to their curriculum.
Common misconceptions about hypnosis
1. Hypnosis is sleep and you are unconscious
This misconception has arisen from the misleading language used by stage hypnotists, such as when they instruct subjects to "sleep". Logically this cannot be the same 'sleep' of bedtime, because one cannot learn during sleep as one is unconscious. If a subject were in fact asleep, they would not then be able to respond to further instructions from the hypnotist. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, NOT unconsciousness! Secondly, stage hypnotists have a vested interest in portraying themselves as having special powers and mystifying hypnosis to create an aura of awe and mystery. People will then be more inclined to pay such people to perform these special powers. As such, subjects may come away believing the hype of being “put under”, as if one were going to a vet or under a spell. Hypnotists do not have the power to put anyone into a trance, we simply lead and facilitate a person into trance, but cannot do it to them.
2. Hypnosis is like anaesthesia
Anaesthesia is the complete elimination of all sensations, either through a local or general anaesthetic (in which the subject is unconscious). In hypnosis you cannot eliminate all sensation otherwise the participant would be unconscious. However, you can reach a state of analgesia which is the reduction or partial elimination of pain.
3. Expectation of amnesia
Amnesia only works when the subject has had a general anaesthetic and was unconscious of the process. Again, since hypnosis is not about being unconscious, you will therefore hear everything said, and you will therefore be able to respond to what you have heard.
4. Will power & loss of control
If hypnotists did have control over other people then (a) The success of all therapies would be guaranteed, (b) hypnotherapists would all own our own private islands. Because you are in control, you will only accept suggestions that you are in agreement with first, even if that means not changing for the better yet because other issues need to be resolved first before one is ready for later changes to take place.
5. Inadvertently revealing inner secrets
As above, because you are in control, you cannot be made to do anything that you are not already willing to divulge or do. If you are asked a question that you do not wish to answer, you will refuse to answer or you may lie.
6. Will there be any side-effects or personality change?
The side-effects will be pleasant ones, e.g. relaxed, detached, calm, confident, focused, or enjoying a 'hypnotic high' (a consequences of being in the alpha state and in touch with your inner self). Also, there is usually intense dreaming after a session of hypnosis as your brain continues to process, reevaluate and update its old ways and strategies of getting your needs met.
7. If there is no personality change, then what about documented cases of people suing stage hypnotists for altering their personality?
Unlike in clinical hypnosis, stage hypnotists do not screen for any history of mental illness or psychosis, because they are only interested in entertainment. A clinical hypnotherapist on the other hand is not interested in entertainment but in therapy, and so will apply appropriate screening.
