Hypnotism - does it work?

Well it didn’t for me I was lucky enough to have a GP who also practised hypnotism I had a problem that I won’t talk about here, but realised it was not physically based, I was really looking forward to being hypnotised and hopefully finding an end to the problem, but I just didn’t appear to be hypnotisable ( if that’s a word) he tried about three of four appointments but admitted defeat in the end I was very open to it so I wasn’t blocking it and was disappointed
I still have the problem but have learned to live with it I suppose
I know it was me and I m sure it must be successful for many others I have always found it virtually impossible to still my mind and I suppose that’s what it was, over active.

Hi Danni my daughter was helped enormously with dread of flying: we were going to Thailand so longish-haul, one session and she had no problems whatsoever, despite being ill immediately prior to return flight - I was absolutely amazed!!

My late friend was an excellent dentist who really went above and beyond the call of duty. She studied medical hypnotism and it certainly seemed to have a good effect on dental phobic patients.

My Aunt had gall stones, and while waiting for her operation she went for hypnosis to deal with the pain. It worked for her, she had no more pain and the op went ahead without a hitch.

A friend of mine gave up smoking using hypnotism.
But she felt strange for a few days afterwards and stayed away from work.

I was taught self hypnosis for sleep problems. I would say it works 90% of the time. The other 10% is usually due to an outside influence, noise, heat, that kind of thing.

Hypnotherapy can be effective in combatting phobias or irrational fears, and can be used even more effectively in conjunction with cognitive-behaviourist therapy. Basically, it involves learning relaxation combined with gradual exposure to the feared object or situation, since you cannot be both relaxed and anxious at the same time. A small % of people are resistant to hypnosis, but even they could benefit from behavioural techniques. Obviously, you can't drive whilst under hypnosis, since you are in an altered state of awareness, but you could learn techniques of combatting anxiety. Step, by step you could be introduced to thinking about situations which cause you anxiety - sitting in the drivers seat, driving short distances along familiar roads, overtaking etc. coupled with that would be suggestions that you are able to control your anxiety and bring it down to normal levels when actually in that situation. CBT would help you actually face your fears in controlled stages. Its worth a try if your life would be improved without your fears.

I am dental phobic and many years ago the dentist I was seeing had studied hypnotism. It appeared to work on me.

Http://evidencebasedpsychotherapy.com/
Hi Danni try this link .copy and paste into your browser. I passed my driving test At 53 and was absolutely terrified.My DH bought me a little car and I was so afraid of driving it. I went out in it a few times to work,but was a trembling wreck wanting to be sick and all I could think about was the journey home. I did not want to be in the car on my own. I looked this up online and gave it a go as I had nothing to lose. The lady I saw was so calming,helped me visualise the journey and the outcome I wanted.I was given a workbook to work through,this was to help change my way of thinking,and it was the best thing I ever did.I only needed a couple of sessions.You would not believe the difference it has made to me. I looked for someone with good training just to put my mind at rest, and it worked for me..

I did try it to stop smoking, for me it was a complete waste of time. I know of other people who have found it works. Danni, have you thought of a driving course for nervous drivers? I have heard they can work wonders.

It worked for me. Overcame my fear of dentists, and fear of travelling on the sea. Last time I went on a very tippy ferry, I loved it!

Wow! Thank you every one for replying to my post and for all the helpful suggestions - I am very grateful!!

Has anyone tried it for a fear of spiders and did it work?

Did it for me, I had a terrible fear of height and it was a problem when I went out walking. Got to the top of Coniston Old Man, could do it by not looking down but coming down was going to be a real problem. So after our lunch we were going to go back a long but the mist came down enough to blur the vision below me and I did it. I had five sessions and a tape to listen to at home if I needed a top up. I still some fear but not the sort that freezes you to a stand still. I would go fo4 it.

Now can I ask all those who were successfully hypnotised how did you feel during the actual session Did you know you were being hypnotised we’re you aware of things that were happening around you

I was having panic attacks. I went to a professional hypnotist and he took me back to earlier times when I felt panic. At first they were occasions I could remember but then I was (unwillingly) forced back to when I was about 2. I began to cry and said " b'loon". He asked me what colour and I said "gray". In a half awake state I could tell he was puzzled. He reassured me and I left until the next session. In the intervening time, and not before, I realised that the balloon was a barrage balloon which I must have been taken to see grounded in about 1940. I have no recollection of this at all and I think the hypnotist, who was younger than me, had no idea what I was talking about. In the next session he took me under again and reassured me and my infant self said "they keep us safe" - something I must have been told and not words my adult self would have chosen. I have had no more panic attacks and am still amazed that that memory was hidden in my mind.

danni hypnotherapy works by inducing a state of hyper-relaxation. You are in a state of altered consciousness in which your brain is very suggestible. I once did a self-hypnosis course and although I was lying on a towel in the hard floor of the local high school’s dining hall, I felt as though I was floating on air and couldn’t feel the floor at all. It is a much deeper relaxation than just ‘chilling’.
Once you are hyper-relaxed, the therapist will introduce the idea that when you drive, you will be calm and relaxed. The thought becomes imprinted in your brain and replaces the fear and anxiety you felt before.
It can’t work if for some reason you can’t or won’t allow yourself to relax. So find a therapist you feel you can trust & like.
I hope it works well for you.

Well I totally trusted my doctor and was totally open to hypnotism but I went nowhere, unhappily

Hi Danni
I was very comfortable with the hypnotist,she talked to me while I was in a comfortable armchair,we discussed my fear and what I wanted to achieve,I visualised and focused on what was being said,and when I got to a certain point, The hypnosis would begin. I was talked through my car journey, how good it felt. How I was in control and to remember this feeling of being in control,You hear what is being said, and remember everything said after you come out of the hypnosis. I must admit I was surprised as to how well this worked for me as it is not something I had considered before. I was also given a cd to play, and I used this at home, and was advised not to use it while driving,which made me laugh.Seriously though I was amazed at how quickly,I was able to drive without the sheer terror. Good luck with what you decide to do.I really hope it works as we’ll for you as it did for me.

I have a very good friend who is a hypnotherapist and he has helped so many people including my daughter. Just make sure your hypnotherapist is genuine with the proper qualifications. I do hope you find a solution to your problem

I was once treated by a speech therapist who also used hypnosis. I had had a serious throat and chest problem, lasting many weeks, that made it difficult for me to talk normally or sing - I was used to doing a lot of singing and found this very distressing. She identified that although the infections etc were now cured, the continuing problems were partly due to tension, and I had to learn how to use my voice in a lower, slower, more relaxed way.
She used hypnosis to help me with this. I was always aware of what was going on, and could have opened my eyes and got up if I wasn't happy with it. It was just deep relaxation, using visualisations and a trick called "anchoring" that helps you recall the relaxed state on other occasions when you find yourself getting tense. I found it very helpful and not in the least scary.

Again thank you so much for all your help and advice - I am very grateful (and to think I was concerned that no one would reply!!)

Does anyone else have a fear of going to the opticians and having your eyes tested - especially the glaucoma test? Every time it happens I end up fainting - so much so that I've avoided having an eye test, but really want ( and need!) some new glasses. I've decided to brave it out, and have an appointment on Tuesday. Help please!

Hypnosis would probably help Hillie, it just talks you thru it & relaxes you whilst you're ultra relaxed. I had hypnosis to stop smoking over 30 yrs ago. It was excellent. I was asked to sit in a cosy comfy chair lying back a bit & the therapist just spoke. I was totally aware of what he said & what was going on, but didn't want to move it was so lovely. I could have, if the building was on fire or something. I had 2 sessions & couldn't bear to be near fags anymore. I did go back to smoking a little after a few years during a crisis, but never really liked it & gave it up again now I haven't smoked for 20yrs and never will again. Hypnosis is great.