hypnosis

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Julia Dobmeier is currently completing her master's degree in clinical psychology. Since the beginning of her studies, she has been particularly interested in the treatment and research of mental illnesses. In doing so, they are particularly motivated by the idea of ​​enabling those affected to enjoy a higher quality of life by conveying knowledge in a way that is easy to understand.

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Hypnosis (or hypnotherapy) is a technique that people use to put themselves or others into a different state of consciousness - a hypnotic trance. In this way, buried experiences can be dealt with, anxiety disorders treated and positive forces activated. However, operations have already been carried out under hypnosis and without anesthesia. Read here what happens during hypnosis and what the risks are.

What is hypnosis

Hypnosis is a procedure that creates access to the inner world via the subconscious. Hypnosis is not magic, even if hypnotists sometimes portray it in shows.

For a long time it was assumed that the hypnotic trance is a state similar to sleep. Modern brain research has shown that people under hypnosis are awake and alert. Rather, the trance is a state of deep relaxation in which the client focuses his attention on something specific.

The therapist can use this state in hypnotherapy. Via the subconscious, he activates the patient's personal strengths and coping strategies that the patient does not use in everyday life. Thus, hypnosis can be used as a support to solve physical or psychological problems.

Hypnosis is used independently or in combination with other methods (e.g. behavior therapy or depth psychological methods).

To be sure that the therapist is trustworthy, he should have a certificate from a reputable hypnosis company. This certificate guarantees that the therapist has completed solid hypnosis training.

Clarify in advance whether your health insurance or private health insurance will contribute to the hypnotherapy costs.

When do you do hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy has proven itself in the treatment of a wide variety of complaints. In psychology, hypnotherapy is used to treat anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders. It can also be used to treat addictions (e.g. smoking) and chronic pain. In addition, hypnosis can be effective for sleep disorders and sexual disorders.

In addition, hypnosis is a popular method for coping with pain and providing support during medical interventions.

Hypnosis - when is it not advisable or only advisable with caution?

Hypnotherapy is not suitable for people who are currently going through an acute psychosis or who are suffering from psychotic states (mania, schizophrenic episode). Caution is also required with traumatized people.

Hypnosis can also be hazardous to health if the client - known as Hypnotisand - suffers from cardiovascular problems or low blood pressure. In the hypnotic trance the blood pressure drops. In people with epilepsy, deep relaxation can encourage a seizure.

If a client is taking medication, the doctor in charge should be consulted prior to hypnotherapy. Hypnosis may not take place under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What do you do with hypnosis?

Before hypnosis, there is a meeting and preliminary talk between the hypnotist and the client. In order to avoid unpleasant situations for the client during hypnosis, the hypnotist must be aware of the client's fears, apprehensions and physical limitations.

The beginning of the hypnosis is the induction phase, in which the client (hypnotisand) is introduced into the hypnosis. To this end, the hypnotist repeatedly tells the hypnotist that he is now being hypnotized more and more and is falling deeper and deeper into a trance. The induction phase generally only lasts a few minutes.

As soon as the hypnotist is in a trance, the therapist tries to mobilize the patient's resources with the help of suggestions. To do this, the hypnotist instructs the hypnotist to perform certain tasks (e.g. certain movements) or to have certain thoughts (for example, to imagine something specific).

For example, to quit smoking, the hypnotist might suggest: "I choose to be a non-smoker". Through the strong focus on one thought, for example, the perception of other things disappears.

In the reorientation phase, the therapist carefully takes the trance back by directing the patient's perception from the inside out. This process usually takes a few minutes.

The total duration of hypnotherapy depends on the agreed treatment goal, the type and duration of the illness and the patient's resilience.

What are the risks of hypnosis?

Hypnosis is still very controversial. Some people fear hypnosis because they think that it will make them lose control of themselves. Others consider hypnosis to be dizziness or imagination.

However, scientific experiments show that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment method for many people. And even if during the trance it can feel as if one were performing movements involuntarily, for example, one is not mindless in hypnosis.

Hypnosis only works for people who want to get involved, and even then it does not work for everyone. There are people who are easier to hypnotize than others. And some cannot be put into a hypnotized state at all.

But hypnotizing also involves risks. The hypnotist must be careful with the client's subconscious. Inappropriate suggestions can have negative effects on the client. For example, by going back in time, the hypnotist can bring back traumatic memories of the client. Reliving the trauma (retraumatisation) can cause psychological damage without psychotherapeutic support.

Another point is that the hypnotist has a certain position of power in his role. It is therefore important that he acts ethically and does not endanger the health of the hypnotist.

The hypnotist can also be physically damaged if the hypnotist is not careful. Since the hypnotist is not fully conscious in the trance, the hypnotist must prevent falls and injuries during hypnosis.

What do I have to consider after hypnosis?

Hypnosis works mainly through the relaxed state. It is therefore an advantage if you take enough time before the hypnosis and do not come to the therapy session, for example, rushed and stressed.

You should also plan a time buffer after the session. Hypnosis experiences can feel very intense. You may need some time afterwards to fully regain consciousness. This may also be necessary because there is a possibility that you will fall asleep in the deep relaxation of the trance. Like after getting up in the morning, you may need a short time to find your way back to everyday life.

You should also take the time after hypnosis to process what you have experienced. As you work on therapeutic goals, give the suggestions the opportunity to work.

The power of hypnosis also lies in the fact that the self-critical and negative thoughts that accompany many of us on a daily basis are briefly switched off. After hypnosis, many people feel energetic and motivated. Enjoy this state and leave doubting thoughts aside for as long as possible. Hypnotherapy is most effective when you fully engage in hypnosis.

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