Hypnotherapy: Some Facts

The application of hypnosis for the treatment of some specific diseases and ailments is called hypnotherapy. It basically involves the hypnosis of the mind of the person wishing to get treated. Hypnosis is a state of mind that is purely natural in itself. The person under hypnosis gets into a very relaxed and comfortable frame of mind. Hypnotherapy has been used to treat ailments like obesity, stress management, amnesia, smoking habits and insomnia to name a few. Besides these, Hypnotherapy has also been known to treat functional diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It has been known to improve memory and also aids in motivation of the person undergoing the therapy. Hypnotherapy usually begins by an interactive consultation between the patient and the therapist. This aims to bring into better understanding of what the therapy aims to achieve, the specific issues that the therapy is supposed to target. The patient is then brought under hypnosis with his consent. During this time he falls into a state of relaxation, in other words, a state of trance. The patient will then be more receptive to suggestion and other therapy. In the hypnotic state, the doorway between the conscious and the subconscious is opened, memories become easily accessible and new information is readily stored. At this point, the person is not really "thinking" in the traditional sense of the word. Rather, he is "experiencing", like when one watches a movie. The hypnotherapist can then make suggestions that are very likely to register better in the mind- precisely because the conscious mind is not getting in the way. It must be kept in mind, however that if for some reason, the patient wills himself not to allow the suggestion to be accepted, they will not be. The smoker, who comes in to quit smoking but is not really committed to that goal, cannot be forced to do so. Also, if at any point of time the patient feels uncomfortable then he can feel free to end the session anytime that he desires to do so.

Hypnotherapy is an age- old method that has been used to treat patients. The idea of using hypnosis as a form of treatment has been present for as long as civilization goes back. Perhaps even older than the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Indians. However the form of hypnotherapy that we know of today has been the product of the study and research of numerous scientists, doctors and practitioners. Various techniques and methods have been developed through the centuries that have greatly improved the system in which hypnotherapy works. It is through this that we have been able to avail the therapeutic utility of Hypnotherapy and still continue to do so.