Hypnosis has been overly sensationalized in the past which has led people to doubt its credibility as a treatment plan. Whatever information the majority has about hypnotherapy comes from its glamorized representation in the entertainment industry. The common perception is ironically very different from how it’s professionally conducted in the medical industry. This misconception has led to the creation of numerous myths that have obscured its healing properties from the public eye.
The trance-like state attained during hypnosis is confused with being under the effect of magic or supernatural powers which makes you vulnerable in front of the hypnotherapist. People fear complete loss of agency during hypnosis which deprives them of its many benefits for mental illnesses.
Below are the most common myths associated with hypnosis and facts that prove them wrong.
Myth 1: You Have No Control and You’re at the Disposal of the Hypnotist
Fact: If you’re scared of making yourself completely vulnerable in front of your therapist, against your consent, rest assured that there’ll be nothing of the sort. Clients are interviewed prior to the hypnosis and asked all that they would agree on. The answers automatically feed into your subconscious mind and anything unfamiliar or uncomfortable will be rejected. So the control still lies in the hands of clients who choose how deep they would like the therapist to delve into their consciousness.
Myth 2: You’re made To Perform Dehumanizing Tasks
Fact: The only people certified to conduct hypnotherapy sessions are highly qualified professionals. They’re not there to dehumanize or disrespect any client. This idea is mistakenly borrowed from films and fictions and has nothing to do with reality. The hypnosis will in no way be dealt as a reason for entertainment and that too at the expense of basic decency. As mentioned above, everything that you disclose during a session is highly confidential and is subject to your consent.
Myth 3: Hypnosis Is an Extension Of Magic Or Supernatural Powers
Fact: The trance-like state that hypnosis aims to transfer you into is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s a natural state of being which can be scientifically verified. Unlike palmists, tarot card readers, or fortune tellers, hypnotherapists are trained experts who have undergone years of academic study. Their skills are not related to psychic abilities but learnt through academic study. Sigmund Freud, the man who founded the discipline of psychology, discovered the presence of layers in the mind namely the conscious, subconscious and unconscious. Hypnosis allows the therapist to revisit hidden traumas, thoughts and suppressed memories in these stages.
Myth 4: Hypnosis Is Irreversible
Fact: If anything, the hypnotic state is one of hyper-awareness. If there is any disruption in your environment, the body will instantly respond to it by regaining consciousness. Your sensory functions are still working during hypnosis and they would alert you of any emergency near you. There’s no way that hypnosis can be damaging or is irreversible. All it does is create a safe space for the mind to loosen control over suppressed thoughts and allow free-flow of ideas.
Do you want to consult a professional hypnotherapist for relief from your mental condition?
Rekha Shrivastava is our rehabilitation counselor who also provides hypnosis. She can help you battle with depression and emptiness by removing fear from subconscious mind and reducing the phobia of expressing your feelings. Even though she’s based in Pittsford, NY, she offers her services online through Skype as well for people who seek her help from distant locations. Contact us today!
Be First to Comment