And No Mysticism: Why Everything You Know About Hypnosis Is Not True

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

Despite the fact that hypnosis was used in ancient Egypt, India and Tibet, many still have only a faint idea of what it is all the same. Dismantled the main myths about hypnosis and hypnotherapy with Evgeny Ivanovich Golovinov - consultant psychologist, suggestive psychotherapist, certified specialist in Ericksonian hypnosis and short-term psychotherapy, as well as a teacher of the professional retraining program "Suggestive Psychology: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy" in Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis.

Hypnosis is like magic

First, let's understand the concepts. Hypnotherapy is a type of psychotherapeutic practice based on the use of hypnosis. And hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness caused by the influence of a specialist or self-hypnosis. This state is characterized by a change in sensory-emotional perception and high suggestibility.

Hypnosis has nothing to do with magic, although many people still associate it with it. Hypnosis is used by many psychotherapists to treat panic attacks, depression, phobias, addictions, post-stress disorders and other neuroses. Also, hypnotherapy is used in surgery and during childbirth - as a pain reliever.

I cannot be hypnotized

It is true that some people are more difficult to put into a trance than others - it all depends on the hypnotizability (suggestibility) of the person. Contrary to popular belief, the most suggestible people are not naive fools. On the contrary, it is believed that people with high IQ and the ability to concentrate are well suited to hypnosis. But in principle, hypnotizability can be trained by self-hypnosis.

How do you know how easy it is to hypnotize you? The surest way is, of course, to go to a hypnosis session. But if you still want to check, then think about whether you know how to negotiate with yourself so that later you believe it. It is believed that the more you have developed the ability to believe, the more hypnotizable you are.

After coming out of hypnosis, I will not remember anything

This actually happens, because the sessions are different for each client. Some people really do not remember what happened during the session, and it seems to them that it lasted only a couple of seconds. But most people can still remember the main points of the session, everything they did and said.

A hypnotist can make me do strange things

This stereotype appeared due to pop hypnotists who can actually make people crow or something like that. This is due to the incredibly strong desire of the hypnotized person himself, who really wants to become a part of the performance. But such performances bear little resemblance to real hypnotherapy. A hypnologist cannot force you to do what you do not want, because in a trance state the person is fully aware of what is happening.

Under hypnosis, people immediately blurt out all their secrets

Again, during the session, the client is fully aware of what is happening. He retains the ability to lie or not tell something that he absolutely does not want to tell. But in a trance, you can really remember almost everything that has ever happened to you, only no one can guarantee that these memories are real.

Hypnotists are dangerous and mysterious people

Hypnologists are simply psychologists or psychotherapists who have the necessary training. Anyone can become a hypnologist, you don't have to be "dangerous" or "mysterious" for that. The main thing is to want to learn technique and, if there is a desire to be realized to the highest levels, then to have some predisposition.

It is imperative to do hypnosis while lying in the doctor's office

You don't have to lie down. As well as being in the office. And you may not need a doctor. First, you can take any position that is comfortable for you. Secondly, hypnotherapy can be performed remotely. Of course, it is better for the client to come in person at least once, but in principle, you can handle it this way.

And, finally, a person can independently enter himself into a hypnotic trance - this is called self-hypnosis. The main thing is to understand what you are doing and why, only then will self-hypnosis be truly effective.

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You can ask Evgeny Ivanovich a question you are interested in, learn a little more about suggestive psychology and, perhaps, you will be able to get excited about going to study it 8 october at the open day of the retraining program "Suggestive Psychology: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy", which will be held online.