We often confuse Hypnosis with Hypnotherapy. It is my foremost duty to explain at length on how the two terms are interconnected but, not same. Hypnosis works on your subconscious mind to create a state of deep relaxation but with heightened, focused awareness.
It lifts you to a state of light-headedness where mental stress and physical tension are greatly reduced. Thus, when the conscious is subdued and the subconscious mind is in a relaxed state it accepts suggestions for change.
Hypnotherapy is nothing but applied use of this science of ‘Hypnosis”. It alters our state of consciousness in a way that relaxes the conscious part of the mind while simultaneously stimulating and focusing the subconscious part. Thus, we reach a heightened state of awareness – using skilled relaxation techniques –which in turn allows the therapist to make appropriate suggestions.
It is often believed that the hypnotic state is unconscious state of a person or that the person is asleep while the changes happen. It is not true. The word sleep means a hypnotic trance, a hyper-relaxed state which is otherwise difficult to achieve. But, we do achieve that state even in our daily lives. For example, when you cry watching an emotional movie, the tears are nothing but a reaction of your alert, aware mind which has for a while drifted from the reality of its own. Hypnosis is a natural process; we often enter hypnotic state while driving, watching TV or reading. It is just about focusing on a thing and losing track of time.
Imagination is the power of subconscious mind – the Hypnotherapist uses this power to achieve the desired results. For example, even at the workplace, you always have a plan in mind or a blueprint of your final rendition. So, you do have the power to visualize things that do not even exist. It is said that this highly focused state is highly active amidst children till age 5-7. Their imaginary powers are very strong and hence it is easy for them to reach the state of high awareness.
Hypnotherapy is based on simple principles of life. It states the obvious and takes them as the basis or backdrop for a successful treatment. It believes that we, as human beings, are born happy and blissful, full of love and smiles – we can be like that again. Though, the mounting stress due to lifestyle changes and high competition does bereave us of that perfect way of life. Hypnotherapy asserts that our mind has the ability to learn when relaxed and hence it works to bring about changes to our thoughts, feelings and behavior.
Hypnotherapy session undergoes the following stages:
– Analysing the problem
– Relaxation or Deepening Technique wants the patient to deeply engage in the words or images presented by the therapist
– Distancing or disassociating (letting go of critical thoughts)
– Complying (Responding to the suggestions)
– Restoring usual awareness
– Retrospection: reflecting on the experience
Therefore, we can ease many psychological, emotional and physical disorders with the help of various techniques of Hypnotherapy. Teenage is a very difficult age and hypnotherapy can be a great game changer for parents to sort many problems for teenagers. Solutions can be found for problems like peer pressure or stage fright, stammering or blushing problems which can otherwise make their lives miserable.
Phobias of all kinds lend themselves well to hypnotherapy, and anyone suffering from panic attacks or obsessional compulsive behaviour, and stress-related problems like insomnia, may benefit.
Hypnotherapy can be an extraordinarily powerful and effective tool for personal growth and healing.