Hypnotism Techniques
The idea of hypnotism to most people is likely something out of a movie. The hypnotist waggles their fingers and the subject becomes a robot, doing whatever the hypnotist says. How could that be real? However this is not at all how things work in reality, as I will explain.
A hypnotherapist is an individual who has been trained to use hypnosis techniques and practices them professionally. They will often see clients or patients to help them with certain issues or problems they are having in their life, such as addiction or phobias (e.g., fear of spiders). One of the most common uses of hypnotherapy is to treat anxiety, as it has been shown to be more effective in doing so than other methods. (1)
The hypnotherapist usually works with the client to find an approach that works best for them. One of the main goals when treating someone with anxiety is to help them stop avoiding the object or situation that makes them anxious. If a patient has a fear of heights, for example, he or she may begin to avoid going up too high on a ladder because they fear a panic attack will come on. After the initial sessions, the hypnotherapist will teach the patient how to avoid the situation that causes anxiety in favor of a more positive approach.
What exactly is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state in which an individual's awareness and level of control is reduced. In other words, they are more susceptible to suggestions, which can be especially useful in treating phobias and addiction. The brain waves--or frequencies--normally present when an individual is awake can be altered through hypnosis to create a state that is conducive to focusing on a certain concept or thought. This is achieved by taking advantage of the fact that the human mind naturally associates certain sounds with certain words and images.
The idea of hypnosis is so widespread, it has been used for thousands of years in many different cultures. Ancient Egyptians believed that psychotherapy was important to their society's well being; for thousands of years before modern medicine was available, psychotherapy was practiced as an important part of their culture. In the early 1900s, hypnotism became widely recognized and practiced as a method to heal people from various ailments. (2) Today, hypnosis has grown in popularity to become a widely known method for treating various mental and physical illnesses. However, very little has been written about hypnotic techniques specifically for anxiety disorders.
In a study of people with social anxiety disorder (SAD), it was shown that patients who received hypnotherapy had a significant benefit over those who did not receive any treatment. The study also showed the patients who received hypnotherapy reported improved health, quality of life, and self-esteem. (3) This demonstrates quite clearly the power of hypnosis in helping people overcome their anxiety disorders. In fact, many researchers suggest that hypnosis is an effective treatment for alleviating the symptoms of SAD in some patients. (4) There are numerous success stories from people who have benefited from hypnosis to overcome their anxiety and other disorders. While it isn't for everyone, it does work for a lot of people.
In general, hypnotherapy in practice follows the same principles as those described above: start with the problem at hand, work with the patient to find a solution that works for them, and then teach the patient how to apply that solution in real life. However, you may be curious about exactly how one hypnotizes a person or induces them into a hypnotic trance. This is often done by first asking them to lay down on a couch or bed. If the individual is already in a hypnotic state, you can skip this. The hypnotherapist will then instruct the patient to close their eyes, take several deep breaths and then relax as much as possible, so that they are completely at ease. Once the person has relaxed into a calm state, they are ready to go under hypnosis.
The therapist will begin by talking to the patient one on one. He or she should begin by making sure that the individual truly wants to be hypnotized and understands what it means to be hypnotized. The therapist should also gain their trust and respect by demonstrating that they care about helping them find a solution for their issue. Once the patient is at ease, the therapist will begin to talk in a calm, smooth voice. This is one of the most important parts of inducing hypnosis. The voice should be very relaxing and soothing. The therapist should then talk about whatever topic is appropriate for the individual. For example, if the person is trying to overcome a fear of heights, he or she may begin by saying "Imagine standing on top of a tall mountain surrounded by lush trees and clear blue skies. You can feel the fresh breeze against your face as you look out over a vast landscape. As you move forward and down a gentle slope, the trees quickly disappear and you realize you are standing high above a majestic valley. You are looking down to a great precipice deep in the depths of this canyon. You can see the rim of the canyon below, but instead of panicking from fear, you feel an exhilarating sense of thrill and excitement."
The therapist will then encourage the person to focus on their breathing and concentrate on the sensation of slowly descending toward the bottom of this precipice. If they continue to breathe slowly while they do so, they will begin to feel relaxed muscles throughout their body. As they descend further, their own thoughts will become softer and easier to concentrate on. When they finally reach the bottom and are standing in the canyon, they can begin to feel all of the different sensations in their body. They can also focus on feeling healthy and happy. This technique of using positive reinforcement is one of the primary benefits of hypnotherapy.
In addition to giving them positive feelings, it may also help to give them things that are pleasurable such as a pleasant scent or soothing music. The therapist can also give the person positive suggestions, such as "You feel an exhilarating sense of thrill and excitement" or "You are no longer afraid of falling and can take a deep breath." Once you have incorporated these types of suggestions into your sessions with a person in a trance, you will be able to tap into their subconscious mind more easily.
After a period of time, the suggestion that "you are no longer afraid of falling" should be implanted in their mind. This will provide them with enough confidence to deal with the situation at hand (even though they don't necessarily feel courageous). Often times people who suffer from anxiety disorders or phobias find it difficult to stand up for themselves and let go of their fears.
Conclusion
While hypnosis can be used for many different purposes and to treat a variety of issues, it is one of the most powerful tools for combating anxiety disorders. Understanding how hypnosis works and how to use it effectively can help you overcome your anxiety. You can combine self hypnosis with therapy or counseling sessions to help yourself with this issue quickly and easily. If you are looking for professional help with overcoming your anxiety, contact the Hypno-Therapy Center today!
References:
1) "Hypnotic Induction" by R.C. Reynolds (1988), pp. 24-25. 2) "Guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis" by S.F Scott (1989), pp.
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Hypnotism Techniques