|
 |
 |
 |
|
Misconceptions About Hypnosis
Many people have misconceptions about hypnosis based on what they’ve seen on TV or in the movies. These depictions are completely different from what happens during a real hypnotherapy session. Many misconceptions about hypnotherapy also arise from stage hypnosis shows. Stage hypnosis is for entertainment purposes only and is completely different from a real hypnotherapy session. In particular, be aware of the following misconceptions about hypnosis.
Hypnosis Is Not a Loss of Willpower
There has never been a substantiated case of anyone
doing anything under hypnosis that they wouldn’t do in their normal waking state or that was against their will or values. A hypnotist or hypnotherapist doesn’t have any control over the subject during a session, and the subject always retains the ability to judge the information coming into his mind. Under hypnosis, subjects do not:
- Act in ways that they don’t want to act
- Violate their morals in any way
- Accept suggestions that they don’t want to accept or that threaten their safety
In a sense, a hypnosis subject considering a hypnotherapist’s ideas is similar to a consumer looking at an advertisement. If the hypnosis subject has an interest in an idea, hypnosis can help to develop that interest within her mind. But if the subject doesn’t have interest in a particular idea or suggestion, typically she will simply ignore it.
Hypnosis Is Not Sleep
Hypnosis is a normal, natural state of waking mind and not a form of sleep. A subject may sometimes fall asleep while under hypnosis, but once asleep, the session is over. If the subject does fall asleep, there are no adverse effects.
Hypnosis Is Not a Coma
A person in a hypnotic state is able to come out of the state at any time. Even at deep levels of hypnosis, a subject can always make the decision to end the session on his own, at any time. Often, a subject won’t want to end the session while it’s still going on, simply because it can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Should anything disturbing or unwanted happen during hypnosis, however, a subject can and should bring himself out of the state immediately.
Occasionally, a subject may enjoy the hypnotic state so much that he won’t want to end the session when the hypnotist offers the suggestion for him to open his eyes. Hypnotherapists are trained in how to deal with this issue. The subject eventually either comes out of the state or falls into a restful sleep, from which he can then be awoken.
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
