When we think of hypnosis, the image that often comes to mind is a Freudian psychiatrist dangling a pocket watch in front of a patient, informing them that they are getting very sleepy, until their eyes close and they essentially become puppets. However, this is the representation in media and pop culture. In reality, hypnosis can be highly valuable when used as an adjunct therapy known as hypnotherapy.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a widely used practice in the medical and psychological communities alongside conventional medicine and therapy. It is easy to think that hypnotherapy puts people to sleep and causes them to lose control over their actions. But it is used much more intricately as a form of therapy. According to certified hypnotherapist Carol Perrine, “hypnosis is a normal, natural state of mind that you are in and out of all day long from the time you wake up to the time you drift off to sleep. The only requirement for hypnosis is bypassing the conscious mind, and that happens a lot as you move through your day. Another way to understand hypnosis is to think of it as getting your conscious and subconscious minds to work together.” When an individual undergoes hypnotherapy, it simply puts them in a more relaxed state and opens the mind to suggestions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthier thought patterns. However it helps people become more relaxed and open to exploring new pathways in their brain. So, it can be used to diagnose and treat a variety of human ailments and afflictions such as anxiety, PTSD, phobias, addiction, sexual disfunction or bad habits. It can also be used to improve sleep, communication and relationships. “The experienced hypnotherapist gleans information about how the client prefers to feel, formulates suggestions from what the client wants and then delivers the suggestions back to the client during the hypnosis session” says Perrine. Hypnotherapy is not a replacement for conventional psychotherapy or psychiatry. Rather, it is a tool used alongside these forms of therapy to and more value in conventional therapies. However, there are proponents who have used it in lieu of Western medicine for certain things.
What is it used for?
Hypnotherapy can be used an adjunct form for general anesthesia or as an entire replacement for localized anesthesia. This is commonly known as hypnosurgery. According the Journal of the National Medical Association, hypnosurgery can help remove fear, surprise and apprehension from a patient. This can lead to easier administration of general anesthesia. It can also help treat post-op nausea and pain and improve overall attitude toward surgical experiences. Perrine has treated a variety of phobias and ailments through hypnotherapy such as phobias of needles, flying, public speaking, misophonia (hearing others chew food) and medical issues such as insomnia, addictions and panic attacks.
Unfortunately, not everyone is an ideal candidate for hypnotherapy. There are many people who are simply unable to enter a deep enough trance to make the practice effective. Many hypnotherapists offer consultations to explore whether hypnotherapy is a good option and an “opportunity to get an idea of whether hypnosis is the right course of action and if I am the right hypnotist for any possible client” says Perrine. If you are a candidate for hypnotherapy, you can use hypnotherapy in medicinal forms, and risks are rare and minimal. If you need to break a habit, manage chronic pain or improve sleep, you may want to consider trying hypnotherapy.
*Always consult a physician before beginning or discontinuing medical plans of treatment.
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