Just How Effective is Hypnosis?

HYPNOTHERAPY IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
For my first blog I thought I'd talk about just what it is I do, and how it all works.

Hypnosis, also known as hypnotherapy, is a method of inducing a trance or a dream-like state of deep relaxation in order to treat disorders of a mainly psychological or emotional origin. It has been practiced in various forms for thousands of years by many cultures including Druid, Celtic and Egyptian. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, hypnosis (or ‘mesmerism’) was seen more as a sideshow curiosity than a valid medical treatment.

Today, hypnosis is recognized by the scientific community as an effective healing tool, although how it works is still something of a mystery. It is not a treatment in its own right, but is used as a part of medical, psychological and dental treatments.
Disorders helped by hypnosis
Hypnosis can help you change attitudes, perceptions and behaviours. It can be effective in treating a range of medical and psychological issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Chronic pain
• Fears and phobias
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks
• Stress
• Migraine
• Obesity
• Thumb sucking
• Sleep problems
• Sexual problems
• Stuttering.
  

The hypnotic state
The brain has different levels of consciousness, or awareness, ranging from fully alert to drowsy to fully asleep, with variations in between. Hypnotic states occur naturally and spontaneously.
Everyday examples include:

• Daydreaming
• Being absorbed in a pleasant task and losing track of time
• Doing a mundane task (such as washing the dishes) while thinking about something else, to the degree that you can’t actually remember performing the task
• Getting lulled into a dreamy state by boredom, for example, when listening to a dull speech.
  

Clinical hypnosis deliberately induces this kind of relaxed state of awareness. Once the mind is in a relaxed state, any therapeutic suggestions can have great effect on attitudes, perceptions and behaviours. The way that this occurs isn’t fully understood. Some researchers believe that hypnosis promotes particular brain wave activity that allows the mind to take in and adopt new ideas, while others suggest that hypnosis accesses the ‘unconscious mind’, which is more open to new ideas than the rational ‘conscious mind’.
Hypnosis - you are in control
Suggestions may be taken to heart, but only if those suggestions are acceptable to the hypnotised person. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t be hypnotised into doing things against your will. You can’t be forced into a hypnotic state either. Instead, you allow yourself to be hypnotised. It is a voluntary altering of your own consciousness, and you are always in control. In other words, you are hypnotising yourself.
Risks of hypnosis
Hypnosis is considered to be a safe treatment when performed by a qualified and experienced practitioner. In rare cases, however, a patient may have unwanted side effects such as:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feelings of anxiety
• Stomach upset
• False memories.
  

Results of hypnosis
While it appears that almost anyone can be hypnotised, hypnosis does not always bring about good results. It is unclear why hypnosis does not work for everyone. Some researchers believe that a person is born with character traits that allow hypnosis to work, while other researchers believe that the ability to be hypnotised is a learned skill.
Suggestibility doesn’t mean you have a weak character, as popularly believed. A strong-minded person may be a good candidate for hypnosis because they will strive to get results from treatment.
People who get the best results from hypnosis appear to have a few things in common, including:

• A good imagination
• The ability to get lost in a movie or book
• The ability to concentrate and keep mental focus.
  

If you would like to know more, or have a specific problem you would like to discuss please get in touch with me or use the 'book now' at the top of the page to arrange an appointment.

Daniel Steadman