Hypnosis Explained: An Alternate State of Awareness
What It Is & How It Works!
A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SCIENCE-BASED HOLISTIC SOLUTION
Hypnosis and its uses in the profession of hypnotism is rapidly emerging as a highly effective science-based method for solving the problems of people. It can be very beneficial in a wide variety of cases and is also a valuable adjunct in psychotherapy and psychiatry. Yet it is probably the lowest risk procedure available from the standpoint of contraindications.
Few complementary procedures are less understood, or more plagued by misconceptions and misunderstandings. Before considering what hypnosis is, perhaps it would be appropriate to establish what it is not! Most hypnotists, on interviewing a new client/patient, will ask the client what he or she thinks hypnosis is. Replies range from sleep, to unconsciousness, to surrender of mental powers and control, to magic and voodoo. All are in error.
Hypnosis cannot be sleep. In most cases the subject is fully aware of communication and is able to respond on request either verbally or by signal. Nor is unconsciousness involved. A subject asked to make a specific movement will comply with the request unless it is objectionable, in which case there will be refusal.
There is no surrender of mind or control. A person who does not want to be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized or be induced to do or say anything which violates personal standards of behavior or integrity. There is neither magic nor voodoo involved. There is a vast difference between what is portrayed by media (sensationalism) and that which is actually possible (reality). Any hypnotist can explain the actions or behaviors seen in stage, film or television shows, where the subject seems to follow directions mindlessly.
Actually, hypnosis is better described than defined. It is often considered an altered state of awareness featuring "selective perception," a process in which the subject (who is in control) chooses to see only what is relevant to his task, blocking out everything else. Hypnosis involves guided concentration. The guidance, however, may be provided by a qualified practitioner or, in the case of self-hypnosis, by the individual subject. Self-hypnosis can be learned by virtually any client when taught by a properly certified hypnotist, and can provide the recipient with a lifetime of benefit.
Hypnosis: A Scientifically-Proven Effective Solution
HYPNOTISM?S ROOTS IN MEDICINE
The basics of hypnotism go back to ancient times. Those who have read Jean Auel's memorable book, "Clan of the Cave Bear," will remember accounts of magic, healings, inherited memories and revelations performed or created by the "Mogurs" and "medicine women" of prehistoric clans. Hypnotism. In the early centuries of our own land, the medicine men of Indian tribes performed seeming miracles. Hypnotism. In the 1700's, broader non-secret usage began to emerge in several forms referred to by different names, most notably called ?mesmerism? before the term ?hypnosis? was coined.
There were periods of progress and periods of stagnation in the development of modern hypnotism. Medical interest and acceptance expanded considerably following World War II, when the use of hypnotherapy proved to be especially helpful in treating surviving battlefield soldiers who were suffering from battle fatigue, shock, injury, and various psychological disorders. As our understanding increases, hypnotism has begun to be recognized as an important adjunct not only to counseling psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry, but also for its applications in many other fields of medicine, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, neurology, stroke recovery, pre- and post-surgical, pain management for cancer treatment and burn therapy, as well as others. Hypnosis is finding increasing usage in dentistry and other areas where pain control is important.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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All humans (and possibly several animals) have two distinct minds - the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is vastly larger and more powerful than the conscious mind, yet it is the least understood by mankind. Actually, the great "unconscious" mind has two functional elements, the subconscious and the superconscious, the former the storehouse of memory, the latter dealing with the spiritual.
The subconscious mind takes in and retains all the messages we receive from our backgrounds?whether genetic, social, religious or experiential, plus all the conflicts (little or big) that enter our lives daily. It does this in a state of neutrality, neither accepting nor rejecting what it receives.
When the conscious mind (which deals with everyday living, logic, reason, etc.) becomes overloaded for whatever reason, the subconscious prepares us for what it determines to be appropriate action (usually fight or flight). However, since the subconscious mind does not analyze, like the conscious mind does, it interprets all messages in their literal sense.
The subconscious is also the seat of all memory. Along with ordinary experiences and information learned, traumatic events can be buried or suppressed in the subconscious. A major benefit of hypnosis is its ability to uncover and bring into the light of understanding the buried information or experiences which may be at the root of a troublesome problem.
In essence, hypnosis is a means of communication between the conscious mind and the inner subconscious mind. Many human problems, habits, stresses, anxieties, attitudes or apparent deficiencies can be traced back to misinterpretations by the subconscious mind which, when understood by the conscious mind, can reduce or resolve specific problems.
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Linda E. Donalds, BCH CI
Board Certified Hypnotist
NGH Certified Instructor
Owner, New Horizons in Hypnosis
NewHorizonsInHypnosis.com
(508) 246-2721
Linda E. Donalds, BCH CI, is a Board Certified Hypnotist and has been a Member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) since 1998. She is also a Certified Instructor for their Certification in Hypnotism professional training course, a published author in their HypnoGram, and a faculty member who presents at their annual Hypnosis Convention. She really enjoys working with people to help them harness the power of their inner mind so they can dissolve subconscious barriers, allowing her clients to overcome challenges and become successful in achieving their desired goals. She specializes in hypnosis for weight loss, sleep improvement, chronic pain relief, stress reduction, and the management of ADHD life challenges. Have you tried hypnosis yet?
©1999 National Guild of Hypnotists, Merrimack, NH 03054
This information is presented to the general public to educate and discuss the applications of hypnosis available for dealing with such matters as habit control, stress, excessive eating, smoking, fears, motivation, self-confidence, concentration, learning enhancement, sleeplessness, goal-setting, relationships and other areas which lead to unhappiness, dysfunction, or difficulty in achieving personal goals. The National Guild of Hypnotists was founded in 1951 and is the oldest and largest organization of its kind. Professional membership in the NGH signifies that an individual possesses specific qualifications, agrees to abide by a strict code of ethics, and will pursue continuing education studies for annual recertification. Medical or psychological referrals may be required for certain conditions. This brochure was researched by the NGH educational faculty and is distributed as a public information service by its members.