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Hypnotherapy
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What is hypnotherapy? The use of hypnosis to treat medical or mental health conditions is called hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration. The focus of attention is so narrow that you are not even aware of things around you. Have you ever been so involved in watching a TV show or reading a book that you did not hear someone speak to you? You were in a light state of self-hypnosis. A hypnotic trance is a state between sleeping and waking, like daydreaming. One person may have a deep, heavy restful feeling, while another may have a light, floating sensation. Some people get so relaxed in a trance that they may fall asleep. In trance, sleeping subjects can still follow instructions such as moving a finger, taking a deep breath, or awakening themselves when they are told to do so. What is hypnosis used to treat? Hypnotherapy can help you feel better without using medicine, or it can be used along with medicine. Hypnosis can help you:
The use of hypnosis to remember the past, especially memories of abuse, is not something everyone agrees with. People who are hypnotized are very open to suggestion and may give false information without meaning to. How is hypnosis done? You can hypnotize yourself or be hypnotized by another person. It is possible to be hypnotized alone or in a group of people. Almost everyone can be hypnotized to some level. You cannot be hypnotized if you do not want to be. Simple tests will help you find out how good a subject you are likely to be. A good hypnotherapist will ask enough questions to understand why you want to be hypnotized and what you hope to achieve. The therapist should answer any questions you have before hypnotizing you. When you are ready, you will be guided into a deep state of physical and mental relaxation. At first, most people are aware of everything. You may hear every word, or the hypnotist's voice may fade in and out, or you may not hear the therapist at all. You might even become so relaxed that you feel as if you have fallen asleep. As your conscious mind becomes less attentive, your subconscious mind becomes more focused. When you are hypnotized, no one can make you do anything that you have a strong feeling against. You are the one in control. The hypnotist is just a guide. At the end of the hypnosis session, you feel relaxed and peaceful. To some extent, hypnosis is a learned skill. The more you are hypnotized, the deeper you can learn to go. Very good hypnotic subjects are sometimes able to have surgery or dental work without anesthesia. Many women can use hypnosis rather than medicines to have pain-free childbirth. What are the risks? Hypnosis carries very few risks. Hypnosis may not be right for people with certain medical problems, or who are abusing drugs or alcohol, or who are delusional or hallucinatory. Hypnosis should not be used to treat problems such as pain or irritable bowel syndrome, unless you have first talked to a health care provider. How do I find a hypnotherapist? Anyone can claim to be a hypnotherapist and advertise services. Watch out for hypnotherapists who make wild promises. Always seek treatment from a licensed professional who belongs to appropriate professional organizations. If you are interested in hypnosis, ask your health care provider for a referral or check the library for good books on self-hypnosis.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File BHV3333F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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