Misconceptions about Hypnosis
1. Some people think that under hypnosis a person is unconscious.
The client never loses consciousness. Even in the deepest states where hypnotic anesthesia can be introduced to help a person go through a painful procedure the subject knows what they are saying and doing. Often people who go into a light state don’t think they have been hypnotized. That’s why the hypnotist will introduce the suggestion of not being able to open your eyes. When it takes too much energy to bother to open your eyes you know you are in a hypnotic state.
2. Some people think that a person must carry out any suggestion.
The client is never in the hypnotist’s power and is never going to carry out a suggestion unless it is acceptable to them. A fear of loss of control can prevent a person from going into hypnosis or hold them back from reaching deeper states. That is why it is important to trust your hypnotist and to remember that all hypnosis is self hypnosis because a hypnotist is only a guide. You do the work by following the suggestions that you agree to. No amount of suggestion will eliminate a symptom if the need within you for the symptom is very strong. Hypnotic suggestions are only effective if acceptable consciously and subconsciously to you.
3. Some People confuse suggestibility with gullibility, or being easily fooled.
That is not the case. We are all open to suggestion. Our parents and society constantly made suggestions to us as children so we would grow up to be responsible citizens. Suggestibility makes it easier for a person to learn important lessons which can lead to wisdom and an openness to change. Our suggestibility can vary with circumstances. During trauma or highly emotional states, for example, we are more open to suggestion.
4. Some people think that a Hypnotized person might say something she didn’t want to talk about.
A subject is completely aware of what she is saying and would not betray a secret if she didn’t want to.
5. Some people think that under hypnosis a person is unable to lie or give misinformation.
If a person wanted to be untruthful he could lie. If a person had a habit of lying that habit could continue in a hypnotic state.
6. Some people think that certain people can’t wake up after being hypnotized.
Anyone can wake themselves up at any time. If there is a difficulty in waking up there is a motive. It could be that the subject is very comfortable and doesn’t want to leave his state of relaxation. If the hypnotist went away and left the subject in a hypnotic state the subject would awaken whenever he wanted to. To illustrate this point, in order to maintain the numbness of an area with hypnotic anesthesia the suggestion has to be repeated constantly because the hypnotic state is temporary and suggestions lose their effect.
By Mary Jane Price Certified Hypnotist Tel: 705-361-2457