People sometimes
harbor myths or misconceptions about Hypnosis. If you have seen Hypnosis
as entertainment on stage or television you may have seen someone bark like a
chicken of seem to think they were a chair. Alternately you have have seen
Hypnosis depicted in films as a process by which the hypnotist takes over the
will of the other. "You are getting sleepy......very, very sleepy."
Hypnotherapy as
practiced by trained and qualified professional is not the same thing you might
see on stage or in th
e movies.
Myth:
When hypnotized you are under the control of the hypnotherapist.
Reality: In fact, you voluntarily create they hypnosis yourself.
The hypnotist is an expert facilitator or guide who shows you the steps, but
you choose to take or not to take those steps.
Myth: While hypnotized you become unconscious and later have no
memory for the experience.
Reality: Occasionally people who experience very deep hypnotic
trance, has some amnesia for the experience. Much more generally,
people are able to recall what happens when they experience trance.
Myth: When hypnotized, you lose your free will.
Reality: Hypnosis combines relaxation, heightened concentration, and
a deeper than usual focus of attention on your own mental experiences.
When hypnotized you retain your sense of self, your free will, and your
ability to choose in your own best interest. You cannot be made to do
things against your morals or values.
Myth: You can hypnotized without your consent.
Reality: Hypnosis requires that you are willing to participate and
experience trance.
Myth:
Some people cannot experience hypnotic trance.
Reality: Virtually everyone is able to experience some level of
trance. As with most things, some people do seem to have above average
aptitudes for trance while others have below average aptitudes.
I have heard fro others hypnotists report that they had encountered rare
individuals who genuinely wanted to experience trance but could not do so,
but I have never encountered such a person.
