Anxiety Care Coaching &
 Holistic Counseling plus
Hypnosis

Surprising FAQs About Hypnosis:
31 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers! (page 1 of 4)

by Dianne Ruth, PhD

What is hypnosis?

The hypnotic trance state is a normal, natural, and frequently spontaneous state of mind. According to experts, we are in this commonplace trance state several hours every day. For example, whenever we become absorbed in a good book or movie, reminisce or go into memory, think about the future, daydream, are in pain, become emotional, get absorbed in a hobby or project and lose track of time, we are in hypnosis. During hypnosis you remain fully conscious, but are able to tune out distractions.

Although some hypnotists use the word sleep as a suggestion to enter deep relaxation, hypnosis is not sleep. Sleep is defined as a “natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored.” During sleep, the individual is not aware of what is happening.

Hypnosis is when you open that channel of communication with your subconscious, unconscious or inner mind so you can be guided in how to resolve internal conflicts, change old limiting decisions and beliefs that are causing negative emotional blocks, re-pattern self-sabotaging behaviors, and discover more powerful and positive ways to have inner peace and happiness.

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What can hypnosis be used for?

Hypnosis can be used for most everything. For instance, you can use it to change your thoughts, behaviors and even your body! Stress, fingernail biting, weight management, procrastination, anger, depression, guilt, emotional pain, sadness, addictions, smoking cessation, releasing negative emotional blocks, panic, anxiety, fears, doubts, nerves, smoking, changing bad habits, some weight-control problems, stress, working with the body’s immune and healing systems, bulking up your muscle mass, growing taller, breast enlargement, and a whole lot more....

Hypnotherapy techniques can also deal with irrational fears, emotional problems, psychosexual issues, lack of confidence, personality disturbances, sleeping difficulties, stuttering/stammering, inferiority complex, unhappiness, and most other problems and issues where there is a psychological factor at work.

Personal development can be accomplished with the help of hypnosis or hypnotherapy in areas such as increasing energy, creating balance and abundance, better grounding and centering, heightening intimacy, job advancement, memory improvement, positive thinking, public speaking, relationships, developing your psychic powers, relaxation, self-confidence, self-esteem, sexuality, performance sports and other activities, test anxiety, increased prosperity, becoming better organized, creative problem solving, plus much more.

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How effective is self-hypnosis?

I love teaching my clients how to do self-hypnosis. It is simple, easy to do, and can be very effective for personal reinforcement. The problems that propel a client to do work with me, however, generally require professional expertise to achieve satisfactory results.

For simpler projects, self-hypnosis can bypass the need for struggling with will power. There are many books that present the basics of self-hypnosis. There are also audio recordings that can guide you through creative visualization, progressive relaxation and other easy methods for creating a relaxed and comfortable state of self-hypnosis. This can bring on feelings of total and utter tranquility that is highly enjoyable. I often create personalized audio files or CDs just for my clients to listen to at home.

One simple way to do self-hypnosis is when you are about to fall asleep. This is called the hypnogogic state. This is the time when you are on the verge of slipping into your regular nightly sleep. During this window of opportunity, you can give yourself some posthypnotic suggestions.

Perhaps you decide to “sleep” on a decision, “knowing” that when you wake up, you will have a clear idea of exactly what you want to do. This is a great problem solving technique, giving yourself mental suggestions of arriving at a solution the following day.

This is a powerful time to recite one or more personal affirmations for improving yourself and your life. It can be used for a multitude of tasks such as sorting through a “to do” list, positive thinking, changing a habit, and so on.

By instructing your inner mind to “work” on a problem or issue while you sleep, and to give you the results the following day, you can rest easy throughout the night.

Another idea may be familiar to you, that of programming your inner mind to wake you at a predetermined time in the morning. Amazing how well this works!

When you first begin waking up, you are in a partially conscious state. This is called the hypnopompic state. Once again you are in natural hypnosis. This is also a great time to give yourself posthypnotic suggestions for creativity, energy, and better concentration–or anything else you wish to experience throughout the day, and beyond!

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How does the hypnotist put someone into hypnosis?

A hypnotist uses a hypnotic trance induction to guide you into hypnosis. Different methods may be used to bring on an induction including progressive relaxation, creative visualization or methods such as fixation on a visual object, a swinging pendulum, or a spot on the wall. The process is quick, effective, and successful.

Hypnotherapists talk in the “language” of the subconscious or inner mind, to make sure the conscious mind doesn’t interfere with the process. This may be done through suggestion, metaphor, imagery or specifically engineered linguistics. In addition, the hypnotherapist may use a specially metered voice in a tempo that is designed to encourage relaxation. Interestingly, a little known fact is, the hypnotherapist often goes into a state of hypnosis right along with you!

Once the client is guided into a state of deep relaxation, the critical filtering capabilities of the conscious mind are bypassed. This allows the hypnotherapist to provide suggestions direct to the subconscious or inner mind.

Remember; however, your inner mind is always monitoring everything and will automatically protect itself from any intrusions or changes that conflict with your best interests or are unacceptable to you for any reason.

Because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis–there are no exceptions–no one can put you into the hypnotic trance state. The hypnotherapist can lead and guide you in the process; however, you can choose at any time to stop the session. You are always aware of everything. Nobody can make you do anything you do not want to do. You are always in complete control.

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Will I fall asleep during hypnosis?

To an observer, your body may appear to be asleep because you are so deeply relaxed; however, you are definitely not asleep. You are fully awake and aware of your surroundings. You hear everything since all your senses are magnified eight times. In fact, you are more alert, aware, and in control while you are in hypnosis than you are in your normal waking state. If you were really asleep, you would not be able to carry on a conversation with the hypnotherapist!

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How much control do I have while in hypnosis? Can the hypnotist control my mind?

Hypnosis is not brainwashing. Some think that hypnosis is dangerous; they believe that a hypnotist can implant false memories into someone’s brain or alter someone’s personality somehow.

No one in a court of law has ever been able to prove that a hypnotized person did something against his or her morals and values simply because they were in a hypnotic trance.

In over two hundred years of recorded hypnosis history, there are no documented cases of anyone being hurt with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way. If anyone tried to give you suggestions that are against your religious beliefs, morals, or anything you feel strongly about, you would instantly return to your regular awake state.

The more relaxed you are, the more in control you are; the hypnotist cannot control your mind. Hypnosis is about enjoying profound relaxation. For example, recall a time when you became so angry that you lost control. Maybe you yelled or threw something. You were so wound up and tense that you just exploded.

Now imagine how different your response would have been if you had been in a comfortably relaxed state! Your thinking would have been clearer; your focus much sharper; you emotions would have been much calmer. Your behavior would have been so much more resourceful! Remember, you are always in control!

A person can’t be forced into a hypnotic trance. Medical professionals have determined that when a person is truly in a deep state of hypnosis, they have greater control of their mind and body than they do in a state of “normal” or non-hypnotic consciousness.

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What if I am on medication? Can I still use hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Of course you can. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can help you in multiple areas including pain management, insomnia, digestive problems, allergies, childbirth, addictions, and eating disorders, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, to name just a few.

One interesting reaction to medication while undergoing a series of hypnotherapy sessions is that, over time, you may need less medication, or a lower strength of the drug. Hypnosis can be a complement to traditional medical care; informed doctors definitely favor it, and many physicians and surgeons are trained in the skill.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Surprising FAQs About Hypnosis
(page 1 of 4)
What is hypnosis?
What can hypnosis be used for?
How effective is self-hypnosis?
How does the hypnotist put someone into hypnosis?
Will I fall asleep during hypnosis?
How much control do I have while in hypnosis?
Can the hypnotist control my mind?
What if I am on medication?
Can I still use hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Surprising FAQs About Hypnosis
(page 2 of 4)
How do hypnosis, meditation, prayer, creative visualization and guided imagery differ?
How well does hypnotherapy work?
Is hypnosis anti-religious?
What is the difference between entertainment hypnosis, a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist?
Is hypnosis guaranteed?
What is the difference between the conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind?
How deeply do I need to go into hypnosis?
I don't think I can be hypnotized. I tried it before and it didn't work for me. Can I really be hypnotized?

Surprising FAQs About Hypnosis
(page 3 of 4)
What is hypnotherapy? Can it help me?
Does the hypnotist or hypnotherapist have any special powers?
What is a posthypnotic suggestion?
How do I know when I am in hypnosis?
What if I can't relax enough to go into the hypnotic trance state?
How long does it take before I begin to see results and my problem is fixed?
What is the difference between using will power and hypnosis?
Will I forget everything that went on?

Surprising FAQs About Hypnosis
(page 4 of 4)
What is hypnotic amnesia?
Isn't traditional "talk therapy" just as effective?
Does hypnotherapy replace more traditional practices like seeing a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist?
Why don't more people get hypnotherapy?
Can the hypnotist make me do things against my will--like in the movies?
Will I wake up afterwards? What will happen if I don't?
What about past life regression? Is it real or a hoax?
Can a person make up experiences while under hypnosis?