Recently I read an article on WebMD about hypnosis for smoking cessation. There were points I agreed with and others I did not. This article defined hypnosis "as an altered state of awareness in which you appear to be asleep or in a trance." A more accurate definition would be an increased state of awareness or concentration. You can have your eyes closed or open such as when you're in highway hypnosis, talk, are fully in control, or reposition yourself in the chair or recliner!
"Some people believe that when you are hypnotized, you relax and concentrate more, and are more willing to listen to suggestions." Relaxation is not a sign of being in hypnosis, but it is one of many if you're given suggestions to relax! To enter a state of hypnosis you have to be willing to listen to and follow suggestions and directions. You will only accept suggestions and directions that are acceptable to you and you will only do and say in hypnosis what you'd do and say out of hypnosis. My sons are a perfect example - if hypnosis was mind control they would have made dinner during the week and done the dishes and had the trash out without ever needing reminding; it never worked out this way!
Aversion techniques were referred to as a popular method to have people stop smoking with suggestions such as "cigarette smoke smells like truck exhaust", it poisons the body, or that smoking will cause the smoker's mouth to feel extremely dry. The problem is aversion modalities don't work in the long term. People already know cigarettes poison the body, causes cancer and other lung disease, etc., but continue to smoke anyway. Instead we at Hypnosis Services of Delaware clear the emotional resonance that fuels the undesirable behavior. As a recent weight loss client said: "Deal with the emotions, deal with the fat."
Were you aware that the American Medical Association (AMA) "does not have an official position on the use of hypnosis. A position statement regarding the use of the technique for medical and psychological purposes was rescinded by the AMA in 1987." Hypnosis was approved in September of 1958 and stood for almost 30 years before it was rescinded. I've been curious as to why; call me skeptical but I wonder with explosion of "alternative medicine" and the rise of Big Pharma (pharmaceutical companies) if it was financially motivated. Think back to when chiropractors were marginalized and called quacks by the medical community and now many insurance companies cover their services.
The author addressed finding a hypnotist/hypnotherapist saying it "should only be done by someone who has a current license in a health care field, such as medicine, psychiatry, psychology, or nursing." I disagree and I'm a nurse who would be "qualified". One's training is more important than being in the health care field. A colleague told me when at a training for medical and psychological professionals on Irritable Bowel Syndrome how to conduct an hypnotic induction wasn't included, so she and another hypnotist taught the group during a break. This is like not knowing how to start a car and get into gear before driving. You can't do hypnosis without a person being in the state of hypnosis!
Beware of too-good-to-be true claims or guarantees. Hypnosis does not work for everyone. This point I absolutely agree with! Ask questions. Understand the answers. You also need to feel comfortable with any practitioner you work with! Remember - if you ever have questions about hypnosis feel free to go online and schedule your Hypnosis Discovery Session with me, I'm always happy to educate people about this work I love to do!
Here's to your success!
Beth