There are lot of myths or misconceptions about Hypnosis, because of many reasons like movies, how we perceive Stage hypnosis, half knowledge, ignorance, and lack of proper resources. Thanks to modern technology, every information is available readily, all we need to do is just search and read from a reliable source like you just now did.
I have come across many people with strange myths, misconceptions or fear about hypnosis, so lets see those popular myths and bust them.
1.
Hypnosis is mind control, you will loose control
Wrong.
Origin of myth: Movies and how we
perceive Stage hypnosis
A hypnotist cannot make a person do
anything which is against their will or values or morals. Even in the deepest
level of hypnosis, you will have complete control over yourself. You will only
do things, accept things which you want to change, not whatever a hypnotist
suggests.
2. Hypnotists/Hypnotherapists
have special power
Wrong.
Origin of myth: Movies
Hypnotists do not have any special
power. Then you might wonder how they can effectively help patients. It is
because of skills, years of practice, patience, will power, confidence, good
understanding of human psychology, and experience of working with people.
Anyone with enough practice, learning, patience, interest can learn it.
3. Hypnosis does not work if you
have strong mindset or will power
Wrong.
Origin of myth: Lack of knowledge or
ignorance.
This one is a very popular myth, and I
cannot help but smile at the ignorance of these people.
No offence to anyone who believes so,
but it is exactly the opposite. I can understand that it is natural for
some people to believe or think this way, as it makes them feel they are
special, or uncontrollable. But truth is Hypnosis itself is not mind control.
And anyone with IQ above 80 can be
hypnotized, if they are willing to.
Higher the intelligence or imagination,
or will power, or strong mind or concentration, easier it is for such people to
undergo hypnotic state. It is difficult for weak minded people to go into
trance state, they need more time. Question you need to ask yourself is, if I
have strong mind, if I am willing to go into hypnotic state to get benefits of
this amazing tool, then why will be it difficult?
If you think deeply, it is not the
strong mind or weak mind, it is about the willingness. If you want to, you
can, if you don’t want to, you cannot. As simple as that.
Nobody can hypnotize you, it is you who
is going into hypnotic state, and hypnotherapist is only there to help you or
guide you through the process and ultimately help you for a positive change.
All hypnosis are thus self-hypnosis.
4. You may get stuck and cannot wake up
from hypnotic sleep
Wrong.
Origin of myth: Lack of knowledge.
Some people have this fear that what if
they cannot come out of hypnotic state. Even my mom and grand ma used to stop
me from doing hypnotism on my brother or cousins. They used to tell what if
they go unconscious, it is no moon day, don’t do anything, it is risky etc. I
know it sounds funny but point here is due to lack of knowledge we naturally
get afraid. RELAX. It can never happen like that. It never happened to
anyone till now, and it will never happen to anyone in future. Hypnosis is
natural state of mind where the brain’s frequency drops to theta or delta state
which is associated with deep meditation, or deep relaxation or sleep state. It
is impossible to get stuck in hypnotic state. In fact it is a natural
state that we all enter into on a daily basis like reading with
concentration, immersed in a favourite TV show etc.
5. People who go to hypnotherapists are
mentally ill.
Wrong
Origin of Myth: Lack of knowledge and
awareness.
A mentally challenged person cannot go into hypnotic trance, they cannot be hypnotized. They need to consult psychiatrists/doctor. You can enter hypnotic state if you have above average IQ, mentally fit, willing, will power, focus, and able to understand language spoken by the hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy is useful for you to improve your life and make some positive changes. If you are addicted to something (let’s say gaming or smoking), then it does not mean you are mentally ill. If you want to overcome past trauma, it does not mean you are mentally unfit.