Day after day we find ourselves immersed in an excess of information, we hear random comments, myths, rumors, and assumptions… And all of this is mixed up in the everyday landscape, posing an obstacle to distinguishing reality. The same occurs with the idea that we have about some therapies and techniques; for example, we may harbor some confusion or be unclear about what hypnosis is and what it is not. We have heard that it is a manipulation and a farce, or that it is just relaxation, but the truth is that hypnosis is also applied in consultations by serious, trained, and competent professionals.
Myths create fear and distance us from things that could benefit us or bring us closer to things that could harm us. In this case, we might fear being hypnotized and dominated. However, this fear is unfounded because through hypnosis the person is not in a deep sleep nor does he become an automaton, therefore he cannot be forced to perform acts that he does not want to. In addition, he usually remembers what he has said and done while in this hypnotic state.
Hypnosis does not eliminate a person’s voluntary control nor can it leave him or her in a trance state from which it is impossible to escape.
Before starting, it is important to be informed that this type of technique is going to be carried out and that it will be applied by a professional with knowledge that qualifies him for it. It is recommended that it be a professional backed by training that accredits mastery of the technique. Once we are sure of this, we will only have to listen to the psychologist or therapist expert in hypnosis, focusing on the ideas and images that he suggests to us. It is important to maintain a receptive attitude, open to suggestions for change related to our perceptions, emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.
What is hypnosis?
There are different types of hypnosis. The one explained in this article is Ericksonian hypnosis, which refers to certain internal sensorial and psychic experiences that have been experienced. The trance occurs naturally and spontaneously, achieving learning and opening of the mind. On the other hand, classical hypnosis is based on the state of loss of consciousness, through receiving direct suggestions from the therapist, through a formal ritual, so that the trance occurs. Its purpose is to eliminate the symptoms (V AAHEA Conference, 2015).
Ericksonian hypnosis aims to create new experiences that allow us to have a different perspective on the symptom, understand it better and replace it with more adaptive behavior.
In the same way as cognitive therapies, one of the objectives of Ericksonian hypnosis is the reorganization of the cognitive structures of the person who attends therapy. Hypnosis encourages the person to carry out this restructuring process without rational and conscious control so that structures inaccessible to consciousness can be modified (Feixas, 2008).
Hypnosis is based on connecting with the unconscious, leaving critical thinking in the background, to access the person’s resources; resources that, on the other hand, may be unknown to the person. This allows them to know themselves better, reduce symptoms, and react more adaptively.
Is hypnosis relaxation?
Normally, the hypnosis procedure involves the patient relaxing, but relaxation is not essential for hypnosis, nor is closing the eyes. There is also awake hypnosis, which can be performed with the eyes open. Therefore, relaxation is not the same as hypnosis, although it can be useful. According to Dr. Heap, the most relevant aspect that defines hypnosis are suggestion and suggestibility (V Jornadas AAHEA, 2015).
Generally, a hypnosis session begins with a “hypnotic induction”: it consists of a series of suggestions that aim to help the person concentrate on their own sensory experience (Nieto, 2009). The therapist does not express orders or give direct instructions that are difficult to oppose. This could create more resistance and achieve the opposite effect, that is, the person does not want to visualize or do what is proposed. In a way, hypnosis could be understood as self-hypnosis.
The psychologist makes suggestions, but it is the person themselves who truly ends up choosing whether or not to accept the suggestions.
Several factors influence the degree of suggestibility :
- The person, with his expectations, beliefs, motivation, imaginative capacity, etc.
- The therapist, with his communicative style, hypnotic procedures, and management of the patient’s resistance, among others.
- The therapeutic relationship, that is, the connection and trust between the therapist and the patient.
During hypnosis, experiences can seem very real and intense (especially when there is a high degree of suggestibility). It is as if one were watching a film, one pays attention to what one is seeing and it can be processed as if it were real. This process is possible thanks to suggestibility.
Are we talking about manipulation?
Due to the influence of the media, such as movies and television shows, hypnosis has sometimes been and is associated with psychological manipulation, although in reality, they have very little to do with each other. The only characteristic that relates to them is the increase in suggestibility that occurs both in hypnotic processes and in manipulations.
The main difference is that during hypnosis the person can easily exit this state of heightened suggestibility, while in abusive and manipulative contexts the return can be hindered. Therefore, it is not manipulation since it cannot induce the person to do something against his or her will. In addition, the person retains the ability to interrupt the hypnotic process if he or she wishes (Nieto, 2009).
What can it be beneficial for?
Hypnosis is beneficial for both physical (medical) and psychological problems. On the one hand, it is effective in relieving pain, such as migraines or chronic pain from fibromyalgia, and in reducing chemotherapy symptoms (such as nausea) in cancer patients.
On the other hand, it has been observed that it can be effective in cases of depression (along with cognitive-behavioral treatment), in reducing insomnia and anxiety, in preparing for surgery, overcoming traumatic experiences, and even in psychosomatic disorders, such as psoriasis and warts.
Hypnosis can be used in maternity: to achieve pregnancy, and improve fertility by reducing stress (when it comes to psychological, not biological, causes). It can also improve symptoms such as nausea, reduce pain at the time of delivery, and decrease postpartum symptoms.
It can also be useful for quitting habits such as smoking. However, the person must be motivated to change, as they will have to work on breaking the habit, deal with anxiety, and go through the grieving process associated with the change.
Hypnosis does not guarantee magical or immediate responses, but rather requires an effort on the part of the person to make their behavioral change real.
In summary, we can say that it is a beneficial technique for a wide variety of problems, but due to misconceptions its use is reduced and less research is carried out. More studies would be necessary to verify whether it can be more effective, although for the moment it has already been shown to be effective when it accompanies and complements other therapies and psychotherapeutic techniques.