Paul McKenna - webchat Wed 15th Jan 12-1pm

Hello, this is Paul McKenna live from Gransnet in London. Thank you for joining me today, I hope to be able to answer as many of your questions as possible. Let’s get going.

sunseeker

Are there some people who it is impossible to hypnotise? Some years ago I went to a hypnotist for help with my insomnia. It didn't work! She told me at the end of a session I should feel very relaxed but I never did. My muscles were always tense even though I tried to relax. I confess to being something of a control freak - is it possible for someone to unconsciously "fight" the hypnosis to the extent they never "go under".

Everyone can be hypnotised although not everyone can be cured of everything. In fact we say anyone who has a 100% success rate doesn't have enough clients. Being hypnotised isn't the same as being helped. With my new book there is a fabulous new technique that dramatically helps with reducing stress, and trauma.

phoenix

Quite a few years a I had a course of hypnotherapy for bad eczema, which worked (after having tried all the medical alternatives, inc. a referral to a consultant dermatologist) my therapist has since retired and most others are quite a distance away.

I would like to give hypnotherapy a try for some other things, and was wondering how effective books can be? I know you have published some, but can they really be as effective as face to face sessions?

Hi phoenix, I'm so glad the hypnotherapy worked for your eczema. So it's very likely that it would work for other things. It would certainly be worth given that a therapist is £100 a go, it might be worth trying one of my CDs first as it might be a cheaper alternative. If you find you need one to one help, there are plenty of hypnotherapists out there.

Tegan

The best way to get a power nap during the day is a Paul McKenna cd [the stop smoking one is the best for that]. A few minutes into it and I'm away with the fairies, only to wake up at the end feeling as if I've had hours of sleep. Although I did used to wake up and have a cigarette when I was using it to stop doing so [I have stopped now]. I haven't tried any of the other ones but would like to know which would be the best one to stop me being a worrier.

Hi Tegan, so pleased that you like the rest you get from the CD and that you’ve quit smoking. Definitely the best one to help you to stop worrying would be my book on controlling stress. There’s a very relaxing CD on the book, which will definitely help you to feel calmer. The other book that may be help is instant confidence. May people have told me it’s helped their minds to stop racing and has had a positive influence in their life.

Wallygrom

I may be a cynic but can hypnotism REALLY help me? I know so many people who have been hypnotized and it hasn't done a thing other than cost them a lot of money. Why is this? Sorry to sound so cynical - perhaps you could come and change my view on this by a personal visit?! lol

Hi wallygrom, I've no problem with people being skeptical. In fact I think we should be, otherwise we'll believe any old thing. There are good and bad hypnosis just as there are good and bad doctors. To see a hypnotherapists it's £100 a go, and you may need several sessions. One of the reasons I make CDs and acts that hypnotise you so you can experience hypnosis for a few pounds and you can see if it works for you or not. Good luck.

Galen

I'm a qualified medical hypnotherapist, and as such am very against the use of hypnotism for entertainment purposes!
Would you like to comment?

Hi Galen, I think if people are volunteering to take part in a stage hypnotist's show, I can't see any difference between that and karaoke. Certainly some of the reality shows around (I'm A Celebrity..) are asking people to do things that are way worse in my mind than dance like a ballerina! In fact, in all my years of stage shows I only ever had one complaint and that was settled in court (I won). However I take your point. Stage hypnotists, provided their act is not degrading to the participants (i.e. we are laughing with them not at them), shows people that hypnosis is powerful and it works. I think though, one of the reasons I stopped doing stage shows was that I thought it would be difficult for me to be taken seriously as a therapist. I do not regret doing them, in fact I love them - they are very much part of my past and arguably helped me create the awareness needed to do the job I do now. In fact when I'm doing events I try to bring a sense of entertainment to what is essentially an educational process. I'm very against certain medical processes, psychoanalysis for example. If you're helping people, good luck to you. God bless.

cazthebookworm

I have a friend who used hypnosis to make her believe she had a gastic band fitted. It worked for her and she lost all the weight she wanted to, and listens to a CD if, and when necessary, to keep her on track. I have always been fascinated by the subject of hypnosis but sceptical and convinced that I would not succumb to a hypnotist trying to put me into a trance, or whatever is they do. Do you think anyone can be hypnotised, even me ?? [Hmm]

Yes when I first heard about hypnotising people to use gastric band, I was skeptical and thought it might be a gimmick. However Dr Mark Cohen, is one of Britain's leading researchers in obesity and convinced me that it wasn't. So I wrote a book about it and recorded a hypnosis CD called The Hypnotic Gastric Band. If you look at Amazon, you'll see that it has an extraordinary number of reviews and many are 4 or 5 star. When you use this, you know you haven't had an operation, but your body responds as though it has. You eat less, and you don't feel like you're missing out. The real operation costs £6k and has potentially bad side effects. My book costs £10. Might be worth giving it a go. If you decide to give it a go, I hope you get the result you want.

Florrie64

I have been a fussy eater all my life and would love to be able to enjoy a much wider range of foods. It may sound a trivial problem but it has all sorts of impacts on my life. I have missed out on going to dinner with friends (sometimes even feigning illness at the last minute) and such like because I am embarrassed to admit that there isn't much I like and don't want them to have to go to the trouble of cooking something different just for me. I have never been abroad because I am worried that I wouldn't be able to eat the local food leading to more embarrassment. It seems to be more about texture than taste in my case. Is it possible to hypnotise someone to enable them to enjoy all types of food?

Florrie, it might be that you need to see one of my colleagues. May I suggest Steve Crabb (www.empowering-solutions.co.uk) or Tina Taylor - they're both excellent therapists. Good luck.

whenim64

Paul, I got your book yesterday and have tried some of the exercises on the CD and DVD. I have used your CDs for relaxation and they work for me, so I'm optimistic about losing weight. Can you give me some advice about sugar addiction, please? Is there something that can be done subconsciously to break the habit of a lifetime?

Hi, I'm so glad that you're optimistic about losing weight. But remember, it's a bit like learning to ride a bike, some days you wobble and come off, and some days it all goes perfectly. As we've all be reading this week, sugar is the devil. There's no doubt that it acts more like a drug than a nutrient. While I don't really get involved in what people should and shouldn't eat. With my CD and DVD set, there is a technique called the craving buster. You could use these techniques to control your compulsion for sugar foods. However, it's worth knowing that most processed foods contain sugar as well. So it would be hard to eliminate it all together. Good luck.

Grannyknot

Paul, thank you for coming to chat to GNetters.

Some time ago I bought your weight loss CD for my daughter and I (I needed to lose a bit of weight and she was desperate to lose some weight). I honestly can't remember whether or not it worked for me, and I know my daughter has gone on to try other things (e.g. eating less of certain foods and exercising more!) I wonder whether weight loss by hypnosis is just like other methods where people 'yo-yo' in and out - e.g. slimming programmes where people sign up, relapse, and sign up again. Or put another way - do you need 'refresher' hynotist sessions?

I am interested in the concept of emotional eating though, I know I do it so will read with interest.

Hi Grannyknot, this is a good question. I've never met anyone that has used my systems and been 100% perfect afterwards - most people find that they need to reinforce it form time to tome. That's why the CD or app is a good idea because you have me on tap 24 hours a day. It really is a personal thing. Thanks for the question.

Linken

I am an emotional eater who loves good food and find it very hard to break the cycle of overeating. Looking back I have been this way for most of my adult life. The more I eat the worse I feel so the more I eat – oh yes, I’m sure that sounds familiar. My weight does yo-yo although I know how much better I feel, physically and emotionally when I have lost weight. For me it’s not necessary that I don’t know what I need to do, it’s the doing it, the hardest part of a lot of things! I must say I am cynical that the answer can be found in a book though would love to be proved wrong. I worked as part of a community mental health team for 23 years until I retired last year and I think that is part of the reason for my cynicism. For me it’s not necessary that I don’t know what I need to do, it’s the doing it! I will log in on Wednesday in the hope that I can be convinced otherwise. Please CONVINCE me Paul.

It's not really my job to convince you. It's probably better if you find out for yourself whether or not the techniques that are in the book, more importantly in the CD and DVD, work for you. I think it's a relatively inexpensive way of finding out whether you like hypnosis and whether it works for you. And more importantly the amazing new psycho-havening that will help you reduce emotionally uncomfortable feelings fast. if you decide to give it a go, I hope it works for you. God bless.

LyndaW

Hi Paul, I haven't tried one of your books before. I do have an issue with sweet things though. If there is anything that would be considered a 'treat' in the house, I can't stop myself from eating it. Sadly this means no bulk buying biscuits that are on offer just in case someone pops in for tea. Can't handle the temptation. Wish I could be one of those people who have treats in the cupboard just in case but if they're there, they're not there for very long! I imagine this is fairly common. How would you suggest I get round this?

Hi Lynda, this is a good question and one that I'm often asked. I don't have a problem with people eating sweet things (in fact all the thin people I know do - they just don't eat them to excess), so if you can't have one piece of chocolate without demolishing an entire bar, the chocolate is in charge and not you. You may well say, understandably, "but thin people have fast metabolisms" however metabolism is not fixed. The surest way to slow your metabolism down and store fat is to go on a diet. Thats why 70% of people who've been on diets gain more weight when they come off the diet than when before they went on it. I really think my system would help you -particularly the craving buster.

LilianaZg

Hi Paul. I have a problem with obesity, since i am not good in dealing with stress. a way when i start to get kg is my nervous eating. First time was when i had very bad conversation with my boyfriend, and since he was violent and tried to degrade and pronounce worse people better than me, and I gained a lot from that experience kilos.
I am still having that problem in my life, fighting for rightnesness instead to life happy life. It is important to me to be right and to be as such recognised. when things goes to that direction, i somehow starts to be in fear and am walking a lot, thinking a lot and eahing )
I know it is not good for me, but his is somehow
In few words that is my eating problem.

kind regards for your answer.
Ljiljana

Hi Lillian. You may need some one to one help - Steve Crabb or Tina Taylor. However, my new book Freedom from Emotional Eating should help you to start feeling better within yourself. Then you won't need food to improve how you feel. Good luck.

feliccity

I had hypnotism for panic attacks and although the practitioner was someone who had had success with a number of people I know, found that it just didn't work for me (I really wanted it to)

Why is this and how can I make myself more susceptible (if that is the right word) to any future treatment? I like the sound of your book but given my history wonder if there is any point in trying

Hi Felicity, there are two people I can recommend to you and they are Tina Taylor and Steve Crabb (websites included in an earlier post).

TheGingerbreadMan

Hello Paul! I work in an office, which requires me to sit in front of a screen all day. I don't seem to find the time to leave my desk unless I'm getting a drink or going to the loo, and find myself grazing throughout the day. I'm fine when I work from home though - I have my main meals and barely any snacks! How do I stop myself from overeating in the office?

This is a common problem. The only way to lose weight is to eat less and move your body more. When it comes to exercise I don't think you need to join a gym. Because any movement at all counts as exercise. A difference between a naturally thin person and someone who is overweight is 2000 steps a day, 2000 steps is a 15 minute walk. So walk a minute here and a minute there etc. You might want to get a pedometer which is a step counter, they cost about £1. If you can get your step count up to 10,000 a day, you stand a very good chance of losing weight. And also you'll feel better. Good luck.

jump

How do you define emotional eating? Is there a difference between emotional eating and binge eating?

The difference between being naturally hungry and emotionally hungry is this: natural hunger comes on gradually, you'll eventually eat and be satisfied. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly, in response to stress or worry. Maybe you have a secret stash of chocolate at your desk and you have some throughout the day to compensate for stress? If you think you're an emotional eater I can recommend my new book for you. It took a year to write but 10 years to research. I really hope it works for you. Good luck.

weevil

I am trying to learn the difference between actually being hungry and THINKING I am hungry. There are times when I just need something sweet though. How can I move away from this?

Hi weevil, this is a perfect example of emotional eating. You know you're not hungry and you just want to change the way you feel. The technique in my new book and CD will help you feel so good on the inside you won't need food to change how you feel in future. Hope that helps.

Spidergran5

Hi Paul.

My 8yo DGD appears to have an eating problem. It's not that she emotionally eats - it's that she doesn't eat. She's a very slow eater, picking up small grains, the crumbs and chips away at her meal. By the time everyone else has finished, it looks like she hasn't even touched her food. She also does this thing where she pushes it around on the plate, so it looks like she's eating it.

I think she's doing it for attention. She's relatively fine when she's at my house - I can get her to eat foods she would reject at home (my daughter just doesn't put it on her plate if she doesn't like it - so she can go days without any greens!). I also restrict stacks to only fruits, no crisps, chocolate bars etc so she's hungry for dinner.

I only have her at the weekends though, so it's limited what I can do. How can I get the parents on board? Would hypnosis work on a child? How can it be resolved before her teens, when the real problems start?

Hi Spidergran5, yes it could be the case that it's for attention. However, if her mum and dad are concerned it might be best to talk to her doctor. Yes, you can absolutely hypnotise children, in fact they're very good subjects so in this case I would recommend seeing Tina Taylor .