10 Things you should know before being hypnotised

If you want something to change, maybe you want to stop smoking, to reduce your stress and anxiety or get relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and you are thinking of hypnotherapy here are 10 things you should know first.

1.  The practice of hypnosis has been around for hundreds of years but it wasn’t always called hypnosis. A similar treatment called Mesmerism was the forerunner of hypnosis. The word hypnosis was first coined by James Braid, a Scottish doctor who studied hypnosis. ‘Hypno; comes from the Greek word to sleep as hypnosis may look like sleep. Hypnotherapy has been endorsed by the British Medical Association since 1955.
2. No one can force you to change so ensure that if you want to change something you are 100% committed before agreeing to therapy. Some hypnotherapists are doctors, dentists or psychologists and some are lay hypnotherapists. If you use a lay hypnotherapist check if the hypnotherapist is a member of a professional body, ask them what they do with your information and if they have any testimonials or evidence of good results. You may even discuss hypnosis with your healthcare professional first. This is to ensure that you get the right hypnotist for you that is well trained, experienced and able to help you. You need to feel comfortable with the person that you choose.
3. There are lots of myths surrounding hypnotherapy. You do not lose control, in fact, you gain control of your life when you decide to change something. You do not tell the hypnotherapist all your secrets unless you want to. You can move, cough and open your eyes in hypnosis but most people are so relaxed that they sit or lie quietly. Generally, hypnosis is a very pleasant experience.
4. The majority of people can be hypnotised. It’s a natural phenomenon. People who cannot understand or focus on the hypnotist are not suitable for hypnotherapy, although people with hearing problems can usually be hypnotised.  Children can be hypnotised from about 5 years of age but it does depend on the child and the ability of the hypnotherapist. Generally, people with epilepsy or people suffering from mental health issues that result in psychosis should not be hypnotised. Some people are more hypnotisable than others.
5. There are thousands of ways to induce hypnosis so that you can take up positive suggestions that the hypnotherapist uses to help you change. For example, trance could be induced by fixing the gaze on an object or place, by systematically relaxing parts of your body or by telling you stories. Sometimes the hypnotherapist will use techniques that are slower and take 10-15 minutes while other hypnotherapists might use techniques that may only take a minute or two.
6. You are not asleep when you are hypnotised although you may feel very relaxed and think that you may have fallen asleep. Some people hear every word the hypnotist says and some people don’t. It doesn’t really matter which end of the spectrum you are at.
7. Hypnosis is not considered to be a dangerous practice if you have a qualified practitioner who adheres to ethical practice. It is not just a placebo.
8. Some hypnotherapists use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) alongside hypnosis as some research studies have shown that it can enhance therapy with some issues.
9. Uncovering techniques such as regression may be used by some hypnotherapists to get to the cause of the issue, however, memories could be distorted and are unreliable at finding the truth. Not all hypnotherapists use regression.
10. There are many things that hypnotherapy can help with. Its a fast and effective way to help lots of people. Problems that a client may need help with include, low confidence and self-esteem, fear of public speaking, fear of flying, other fears and anxiety states, help with medical conditions such as IBS or skin problems, pain management, motivation or help with decision making and much more.