A hypnotic “trance” is not something that is foreign to
us--we’ve all been so absorbed in thought while reading a book
or watching a movie that we fail to notice what is happening
around us. These focused states of attention are similar to
hypnosis. Simply put, when our minds are concentrated and
focused, we are able to use them more powerfully. In this
condition, we can tap into normally unused mental powers to
create new possibilities of experience.
People typically experience both mental tranquility and physical
relaxation under hypnosis. Various changes in perception are
also common under hypnosis. Some people feel great heaviness
coming over their bodies, others feel very light or numb.
Subjective feelings of floating, sinking, spinning, and tingling
sensations are also reported.
Contrary to a popular belief, people under hypnosis are neither
captive nor spellbound. For the most part, a subject can resist
direct instructions that he or she feels will undermine their
wishes or compromise his or her moral standards. Still, there
are rare cases of misconduct in which hypnosis is deliberately
misused by a skilled hypnotist. This is one of several good
reasons to seek a reputable professional when it comes to
choosing a hypnotherapist. A good guideline for finding a
qualified clinical professional is this fact---the only people
qualified to treat your mental or physical problems with
hypnosis, are those who are also qualified to treat the same
problems without hypnosis.
Psychiatrists use hypnosis in treating patients to overcome
negative habits, anxiety, phobias and other fears, and
depression. They use hypnosis for exploration of the
unconscious, to better understand underlying motivations or
identify whether or not past events or experiences are
associated with causing a problem. Psychiatrists have also had
positive results in helping patients control appetite and reduce
the levels of drugs necessary in the treatment of chronic
illnesses.
Hypnosis, while effective, may not be for everyone. It appears
to be of the greatest benefit when a patient is highly motivated
to overcome a problem and when the hypnotherapist is well
trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating
to the treatment of the particular problem. Also, some patients
seem to have higher native hypnotic “talent” (increased
suggestibility) and capacity which may allow them to benefit
more readily from hypnosis.
Hypnosis can be a powerful tool for healing—so powerful that it
can completely remove or distract people from feeling pain. For
this reason it is important that a physician or other
state-licensed medical or psychological specialist assess the
underlying medical or psychological condition prior to hypnosis.
Also, because there is no medical degree required for the
practice of hypnotherapy, persons wishing to undergo hypnosis
should make certain that the therapist is well trained. This
bears repeating: it is safest to look for a hypnotherapist who
is a licensed professional in a field where hypnotherapy is part
of their normal practice, such as psychiatrists (MD’s) and
psychologists. It is essential to check credentials and
background when choosing a hypnotherapist.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like
any other therapeutic treatment: it is of major benefit to some
patients with certain problems, and it is helpful with many
other patients, but it can fail, just like any other clinical
method. For this reason, trained clinical hypnotherapists
emphasize that they are not "hypnotists,", but instead health
care professionals who use hypnosis along with the other tools
of their professions.
Debra S. Gorin, M.D. received her medical degree from the
University of Miami School of Medicine. She is a diplomate of
the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She has been in
private practice as a Psychiatrist for the past sixteen years in
the Fort Lauderdale area. Dr. Gorin treats all types of
stress-related, emotional and psychiatric problems of children,
adolescents, and adults. She is also a trained hypnotherapist.
Visit her website (http://www.doctorgorin.com) to view her
growing library of psychiatric and health-related articles. Dr.
Gorin's weblog can be viewed at
http://debragorinmd.blogspot.comShe can be contacted at
couchdoctor415@yahoo.com
