Many people associate hypnosis to weight loss and addictions such as smoking. However, hypnosis can be used to treat other conditions, such as chronic pain and anxiety.
Hypnotherapy usually forms part of a combination treatment that also includes talking therapy. Hypnotherapy on radiantflow.sg is usually provided by medical doctors, nurses or social workers with additional training.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a mind-body treatment that uses relaxation and extreme concentration to help you achieve a heightened state of awareness or mindfulness. It is considered alternative medicine and can be used to help reduce or alleviate a wide range of issues, such as psychological distress, phobias and unhealthy, destructive habits.
In hypnosis you are in a relaxed and focused state of consciousness but are still fully aware of your surroundings. It’s similar to the dreamy state of mind that exists just before you fall asleep, but with a much deeper focus.
The hypnotic state is induced with a combination of techniques, depending on the individual and their preferences. It can be triggered visually, auditorially or kinaesthetically. For example, a candle flame could be used as a visual focus or soothing music or words of encouragement might be heard to entice you into the hypnotic state. Once you’ve entered the hypnotic trance, your therapist can begin to guide your through specific steps that will help you resolve your specific issue.
You will not lose control of your faculties, or do anything against your will, as you might see on stage. You are more receptive to suggestions and ideas from your therapist due to your altered state. During hypnosis, your therapist will also help you learn self regulation skills that can be used to help manage symptoms such as pain or anxiety on your own, even when not in the presence of a hypnotherapist.
Many studies have shown that hypnosis helps patients cope with various conditions such as chronic pain and stress. However, hypnosis shouldn’t be used alone and should form part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Research shows that hypnosis, in conjunction with other treatments such as cognitive behavioral treatment for depression and irritable intestinal syndrome, can help you stop smoking and lose weight.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
Many health care providers, such as doctors, dentists and nurses, use hypnosis or hypnotherapy. It’s not a standalone treatment, but can be used to complement medical, psychological and even dental treatments. It’s believed that hypnosis can affect different parts in the brain and change a patient’s perception or behaviour. This makes it easier to deal with illness, pain, phobias, or fear.
It is not clear how hypnosis actually works, but it is believed to alter certain types brain wave activity and reduce blood pressure and heartbeat. This allows the body to be more relaxed and responsive to suggestions from a therapist. Some researchers believe that hypnosis also accesses the subconscious mind, which is open to new ideas more than the rational conscious brain.
During hypnosis, the therapist will talk to you in a calm and soothing voice while you imagine or think about something pleasant. This puts your thoughts into a dreamy state, similar to the sleepy state that exists just before falling asleep. It’s important to note that you won’t lose control or become unconscious, as some people fear in movies and TV shows. In fact, your therapist will guide you through the entire experience and will never ask you to do anything against your moral or ethical values.
Some patients have reported that hypnosis has helped them with conditions like:
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and bedwetting.
Anxiety can occur before a dental or medical procedure.
Pain control for burns and cancer. Also, irritable Bowel Syndrome, jaw problems, and burns.
Easing hot flashes from menopause.
Other conditions, including PTSD, depression, and bulimia can be treated using hypnosis or hypnotherapy. It is important to discuss complementary therapies, such as hypnosis with your doctor in order to determine whether they could be beneficial to you and to find out what other treatment options exist. It’s also crucial to remember that hypnotherapy can take time to produce results. Some people see results in just a few sessions. Others may need several weeks or even months to notice improvements.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help Me?
Hypnosis is a powerful tool for treating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety and depressive disorders. It can also be used to alleviate physical pain and reduce the need for medication. Often, hypnotherapy is used in combination with other therapies to help patients overcome their issues.
The goal of hypnotherapy, is to change how a person behaves and thinks. Hypnosis can help a person overcome negative thinking patterns and replace them with more positive ones that will lead to healthy habits like not smoking or losing weight. Hypnotherapy may also be used to eliminate phobias, or fears that interfere with daily life.
During a session of hypnosis, a therapist will speak with the patient in order to understand their problems and treatment goals. They will then begin the hypnotherapy process by helping the patient relax and feel secure. The therapist will use soothing voices and calming images to help the patient enter a trance. Once the trance is created, the therapist will make suggestions centered around the patient’s goals, such as how to quit smoking or how to cope with pain.
Once the hypnosis has been completed, the therapist will bring the patient back to the present moment and end the session. The therapist will discuss the results and determine if hypnotherapy worked in achieving desired outcomes.
It is important that you are aware that hypnotherapy, especially for those who have a high suggestibility level, can cause false or distorted memories. It may also not be an appropriate form of treatment for someone who has psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. It is also not the best choice for someone who has used drugs or alcohol.
During a session of hypnotherapy, the therapist helps the patient release the anxieties which are contributing to the medical problem. The therapist will find the root of the problem, and replace it with positive thoughts. This will help them to better manage their condition.
How Can I Find A Hypnotherapist?
Before booking an hypnotherapy appointment, it is important to ensure that they are properly licensed and trained. Idealy, a therapist should have a degree in a medical field or mental health with additional training in the use of hypnosis. Ask about their level of training, experience and other qualifications.
Book an initial consultation with your chosen therapist to discuss your goals and concerns. This will help the therapist tailor your sessions to meet your needs. Please also mention any conventional medical treatments that you’re receiving. This includes prescription and over the counter medications.
During the session you will be guided to a deep state of relaxation and focus using verbal cues, repetition, imagery, and other tools. This will allow you to access the subconscious brain part where thoughts, beliefs and emotions, as well memories and behaviors, originate. The therapist will then use the information you’ve given them to place suggestions into your unconscious mind that will affect your behavior or perceptions. These can be either symptom-focused (such a changing your feelings about something) or exploration-based, such as understanding the experiences that trigger your symptoms.
Most hypnotherapists will start by describing what to expect during a session and the benefits of it. They will discuss your goals with you and create a plan of treatment that includes hypnotherapy as well as any other methods they may recommend.
It’s worth bearing in mind that hypnotherapy is not proven to work for every individual, so don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t seem to benefit you immediately. It can take a while to see the desired results, but if it’s something you want, and you’re willing to change, then it will pay off.
