Hypnosis is particularly effective for addressing anxious and trauma states due to hypnosis activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System and anxiety being a Sympathetic Nervous System state, it is therefore impossible to be hypnotised and anxious both at the same time.
Despite the science, there are always a number of myths that surround it, so in this post, we explain all…
I will be under control of the hypnotherapist and be made to do things I don’t want to:
Apart from the fact that all our hypnotherapists are highly trained, regulated and only use the hypnotic process for ethical health giving purposes, you cannot be made to do anything you don’t want to as you are entirely in control at all times.
When you see people acting like chickens on stage it is largely because they want to.
You won’t be able to hypnotise me!
It is true that if you believe you can’t be hypnotised and hold that belief through the process then the chances are you won’t be hypnotised, but if you have gone to a hypnotherapist the chances are that you do want to allow for it to happen.
Most people can use hypnosis effectively. There are a small group of people who may not respond to hypnosis due to their inability to perceive context and implication, which can be an aspect of Asperger’s syndrome. Once you experience the state of hypnosis you will understand why this is the case – hypnosis is simply an engaging and deepening of the brain’s natural ability to focus and imagine.
Hypnosis is the same as being asleep
No, although some studies suggest that the hypnotic state is similar to the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep state. You need to be awake for hypnosis to work because you need your brain to be processing the words (or in other words, you need to be listening).
When you’re hypnotized, you have an experience in parallel with your conscious awareness. You are fully aware of where you are and what is happening, but at the same time you have an internally-focused awareness.
If you’re repeatedly falling asleep listening to hypnosis, it’s most likely because you’re sleep deprived.
Hypnotherapy is an instant fix
It very much depends on what issue you are addressing. For example, treating phobias or anxiety over one upcoming event can be treated in one or 2 sessions. But it is essential that the learnings and suggestions made in the session are then taken into your day to day life so you engage your conscious mind into reinforcing this change.
As a general rule, if you are provided with a recording we recommend you listen to your session once a day for a week, then after that just as often as you feel you need to until you get the benefits you are looking for. Once you have got what you want and need from the session, you can listen to it occasionally when you feel in the need of a ‘top up’ or simply to enjoy relaxing.