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Hypnotherapy - Does It Really Work?
Okay, so some of you are familiar with hypnotherapy. You've heard it can be used for curing a number of ailments including stress, alcoholism and the like. But, if I were to ask, how many people do you know who've been treated by a hypnotherapist, it's possible you may not recall any! Of course, you'd know those, who regularly visit a shrink or associations like the Alcoholics Anonymous. So, why don't people make a beeline for hypnotherapy? To find out the answer to this question, and also about what hypnotherapy has to offer, just read on. Hypnotism defined Mention hypnotism and you'll straightaway relate it to occult or magic, probably influenced by the famous magicians who manage to make whole buildings disappear right in front of your eyes! Despite these fantastic feats, hypnotism remains simply a method of bringing on an artificial state of sleep in the subject by the power of suggestion. That's why the word hypnosis, derived from the Greek word hypnos, means sleep. It induces a state of reduced consciousness, where the subject remains awake, can talk and move, but becomes highly susceptible to suggestions. The origin of hypnotism Hypnotism is nothing new. It has always been a powerful tool of the occult. Witchdoctors and shamans have used it for thousands of years. However, the first use of hypnosis was in the seventeenth century and that too on animals. It was successfully used to calm chickens by balancing wood shavings on their beaks or tying their heads to the ground and drawing a line with chalk in front of their beaks. The French farmers even used it on hens to sit on eggs not their own! The modern history of hypnotism is nothing but a seesaw battle between the believers and the skeptics. Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer applied this science to humans, though he termed it as magnetism. James Braid, a Scottish surgeon, introduced hypnotism as a modern day concept in 1843. Prior to Freud, this was the only known method of psychotherapy and was even used for performing major surgical operations, including amputations! The power of hypnotherapy Why hypnotherapy is preferred to other forms of healing is because it usually speeds up the therapeutic process. What might take months or years of regular psychotherapy can usually be accomplished within weeks with this therapy. Hypnotherapy is effective in curing addictions, phobias, stress, anxiety and insomnia. It has been used for providing motivation, and building self-confidence and self-esteem. It has even come to the aid of those wanting to lose weight, stop smoking, become a better public speaker and overcome fear of heights. However, hypnotherapy is no magic. And it certainly can't make you a superhero! For example, it can't make you run a cross-country out of the blue, unless you are already a runner. But to a cross-country runner it can give a psychological edge that may make a difference between a gold and a bronze medal. Hypnosis can be likened to a tool, like a knife. You don't expect a knife to cut vegetables for you. But its availability makes it a whole lot easier to cut them the way you desire, rather than using your own hands! So, in other words, hypnosis is the tool that a hypnotherapist wields in curing your ailments. This brings us to the important issue of selecting the right hypnotherapist. Selecting a hypnotherapist A hypnotherapist is a person who induces hypnotic state in you. Now, this sounds dicey, because, once hypnotized, you may come under his will and bidding. It's this feeling of vulnerability, which discourages most from preferring this kind of therapy. And that's probably why people don't usually make a beeline for a hypnotherapist! However, the answer to the question, "Can I be made to do things against my will?" will come a little later in this article. So, what's the method of selection? Well, there's no foolproof method of selecting the right hypnotherapist any more than there is a guaranteed way to select the right physician, lawyer, accountant or a mechanic! However, reputation counts and you may get to know of good hypnotherapists from your personal physician, family or friends, workplace or the Yellow Pages. You can also get hold of a list of professional associations or go through the International Registry of Professional Hypnotherapists. However, whether the recommended hypnotherapists measure up to your requirement will depend entirely upon you. Their suitability depends upon various factors like personality, ideology (that may affect a good rapport), and also the nature of your problem. Although the best indication of a good professional is his satisfied clients, in this case, this isn't so, because of the highly personalized nature of this therapy. That's why someone's recommended hypnotherapist may not, at times, turn out to be good enough for you. So, what're you to do? There're a number ways in which you can choose a good hypnotherapist. In your first meeting have a long chat to find out your comfort level with him. Answer questions like: Do I feel welcome and accepted? Does their nearness give me pleasant vibes? Does their office feel like a haven? Do they seem knowledgeable enough? Are they genuinely interested in my problems and me? Do they ask a lot about me and really listen? Do they appear hopeful? You may also need to find out about his background, professional qualifications, years in practice and experience with your kind of problem. In addition:
-Be clear about the hypnotherapy procedure. Will hypnosis be physically induced or help of audiotapes be taken. -Know if personalized service, tailored to your needs, will be provided. Settle for nothing less. -Ask if someone can accompany you for the session. Genuine hypnotherapists would be delighted to find a friend or relative with you. -Find out if the session can be tape-recorded. Well-meaning hypnotherapists would let you do it for later use at home, as reinforcement. -Ask for references and memberships in hypnotherapy associations. -Know whether self-hypnosis will be taught. Hypnotherapists with your interests at heart will automatically do so to help you become self-reliant. -Find out about the fee structure, but don't be overly concerned with the per session fee. If you're able get cured in the appropriate number of sessions, a high fee would seem like a bargain! However, don't be overly concerned about the time or the number of sessions your problem may take, as there are far too many variables. Also, don't ask about the success rate, as this is no indication for your chances of success. The methods employed by hypnotherapists A hypnotherapist has a choice of a number of techniques for hypnotic induction. The six main induction categories are:
b. Progressive relaxation and imagery method: This involves having the subject imagine being in a safe or peaceful place, and then awakening him or her to full consciousness. c. Mental confusion method: This is designed to confuse the conscious mind, so that it simply becomes easier to just relax the mind and make it 'let go' into hypnosis. d. Mental misdirection method: This employs active use of the imagination, coupled with response, to hypnotize through responding to suggestions. e. Loss of equilibrium method: This makes use of gentle rocking to get the subject into a trance. f. Shock to nervous system method: This employs a sudden emphatic command given in a surprising manner. The subject experiences a moment of passivity during which he'll either resist the trance, or let go and drop quickly into hypnosis. Hypnotherapists may combine two or more methods to achieve the desired results. The combinations of methods may be as limitless as the imagination of those employing them! What to expect in hypnotherapy To find out how it feels to be under the sway of a hypnotherapist, let's see how a hypnotherapy session is conducted:
-Next, he will explain the process to ease your anxiety and prepare you for hypnosis. -This done, he will guide you through some exercises to determine the degree of physical and emotional suggestibility to gauge your threshold to suggestions. -After this, he will put you into a hypnotic state by using individualized methods and techniques. -As you begin to slip into the hypnotic trance, your body will relax and your mind will detach from everyday concerns and responsibilities. This'll be accompanied by increased muscle relaxation, a feeling of well being, increased threshold to pain and diminished ability to vocalize. -Now, the hypnotherapist will apply his power of suggestion, telling you to focus on things you'd like to change. He'll then proceed to show you the way to achieve those changes. You may have flashbacks of stressful memories and you may become almost childlike in accepting ideas or suggestions about yourself. So, when'll you start noticing the changes? It depends upon the intensity of your session or the number of times you're made to listen to your audiotape, which can be for up to a month. You'll begin noticing behavioral changes spontaneously popping into your conscious mind almost immediately. Your subconscious mind will help you out of your old patterns with these cues. The risks of hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is not dangerous and, till date, no one has been seriously hurt (except some in the region of the pocket because of unscrupulous hypnotherapists!). Even the Council of Mental Health of the American Medical Association has approved hypnosis as a safe practice with no harmful side effects. The reason is the great resilience of our subconscious that always has our best interest as its main concern. The only danger is from ignorance and misconceptions about this procedure. Coming to the most dreaded question, "Can I be made to do things against my will?" The answer is a resounding no! Most people develop these false beliefs by witnessing stage hypnosis performed by magicians, which is pure fun and entertainment. Under hypnosis, no one can make you do anything against your will or contrary to your value system. No one can make you unknowingly reveal your deepest secrets either. People are also known to tell lies under hypnosis, and that's why, the court of law doesn't admit testimony under hypnosis! Some people fear that hypnosis may weaken their will and make them dependent on the hypnotherapist. Nothing can be further from the truth. Hypnosis is, in fact, a tool to gain more self-control, and can actually help improve one's focus in life! What if you don't wake up? There isn't a single case where someone has refused to rise and shine after the session. Hypnosis, as explained earlier, is akin to falling asleep and you get up, as if you've awakened after a nice long nap. So, for those in dire need of help and wanting to try out something different, hypnotherapy may come as a shot in the arm. It's quick, it's safe and it's effective.
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news ABC News hammering out Palin interview plans (Reuters via Yahoo! News) ABC News is spending more time trying to assemble the logistics of its exclusive interview with Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin than it did negotiating with the McCain campaign itself. UAL shares walloped by new posting of old news (Reuters via Yahoo! News) A nearly 6-year-old news story on the 2002 bankruptcy filing of UAL Corp resurfaced on the Internet on Monday, clobbering the airline's shares as some traders mistook the report as current and plausible news. Game news: 'GTA IV' hits 10 million, EA meets ESPN (AP via Yahoo! News) Real news from the virtual world: News and notes on the PGA Tour's top 20 golfers (USA Today) Get the latest news and notes on the top 20 golfers on the PGA Tour. These rankings are based 2006-07 PGA Tour results. UAL shares walloped by new posting of old news (Reuters via Yahoo! News) A nearly 6-year-old news story on the 2002 bankruptcy filing of UAL Corp resurfaced on the Internet on Monday, clobbering the airline's shares briefly as some traders mistook the report as current and plausible news. Young adults want less election news (UPI) EVANSTON, Ill., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. young adults say there is too much election-related news on Internet news sites, a university study indicates. Good news for Saltalamacchia (MLB.com) Good news for Saltalamacchia Asyncast delivers custom news to hands-free mobile devices (CNET) The company's Rocketron service allows users to set preferences for the kinds of news stories they want to hear, as well as filter controls for news they don't want. CNET News Daily Podcast: The new Zune plays its tune (CNET) Microsoft lets "slip" Zune news one day before Apple's big shindig. Big ad group says Google-Yahoo is a bad idea. Who says real spies don't dig social networking? ABC News gets first Palin interview (Reuters via Yahoo! News) ABC News' Charles Gibson has snagged the first interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin since she was named the GOP's vice presidential pick on August 29. Site: news - Google News A roundup of news, schedules, and key stories from CBS News ... - CBS News
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for alternative Money at work: Liontamer Alternative Energy fund (The New Zealand Herald) What is it called and what sort of savings product is it? The Liontamer Alternative Energy fund is a capital protected fund with a socially responsible theme. Croton bike week to promote alternative transportation (The Journal News) CROTON-ON-HUDSON - Village residents are being asked to trade in four wheels for two next week, part of a larger effort by the village administration to promote alternative transportation. Alternative fuels hit Norman (The Norman Transcript) Those buses may look normal, but their diet is a bit different. Instead of diesel, they use the vegetarian vehicle fuel, compressed natural gas.The University of Oklahoma and the City of Norman are adding more alternative-fuel vehicles each year, and this fall OU will open a new CNG and biodiesel refueling station for both university and city vehicles. House speaker pushes for alternative energy (The Oklahoma Daily) The number of natural gas pumps in the state could double if Oklahoma?s speaker of the House of Representatives has his way. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, announced Sept. 2 the first phase of his energy plan, which is intended to make alternative fuel cars more affordable for Oklahomans. Pershing Won't Back CVS-Longs Deal, Seeks Alternative Buyer (Fox News) Pershing Won't Back CVS-Longs Deal, Seeks Alternative Buyer Seeking Federal Loans, Automakers Cite Alternative-Energy Goals (New York Times) A proposed $25 billion federal loan program to help retool the auto industry would speed the development of alternative-fuel vehicles, a Chrysler executive said Wednesday. Wind Power--An Alternative to America?s Energy Needs (Cook County News-Herald) Alternative energy has been talked about and implemented for at least thirty years, with the concept instigated by the energy crisis of the 1970s. In the mid-seventies, wind and solar power started to develop for users who wanted to be independent of utility companies. GR teen escapes alternative jail, carjacks car (The Muskegon Chronicle) Press Photo/Lance WynnDerek Allen Guyton, center, speaks with his attorney, Valerie Foster, during his sentencing in the Kent County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. Derek Guyton GRAND RAPIDS -- A young man who police say walked away from an alternative jail... Adnan makes case for alternative broadband network (The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and High Speed Broadband Sdn Bhd (HSBT) yesterday made the case for an alternative high-speed broadband network costing RM10.5bil that will connect 2.5 million premises nationwide over five years. GreenMan Technologies creates alternative fuel subsidiary (Energy Business Review) GreenMan Technologies, a tire recycler, has announced the formation of a new subsidiary, GreenMan Renewable Fuel and Alternative Energy. Site: alternative - Google News Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil - Bizjournals.com
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