Hypnosis, by the simplest definition, is a state of mind where it is at the highest point of attention. The application of hypnosis in the field of treatment is called hypnotherapy. It is used in the treatment of various ailments and diseases like obesity, smoking, phobias, stress management and other disabilities that may be related to the mind. It can also be used to treat functional diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Hypnotherapy makes use of the relaxed and comfortable frame that the mind gets into when under hypnosis. Hypnosis is a very natural state of mind. The person undergoing hypnosis is not in a state of consciousness but rather in a state where he is not fully awake and in a suspended reality. It is at this point that the mind of the person becomes very receptive and sensitive to new information that may be suggested.
One must remember that the person that is undergoing hypnotherapy must do so under his will. He should be willing to believe that the treatment is going to work and that he should be willing to participate with the suggestions that may be given. Also, if at any point of time that the patient begins to feel uncomfortable, then he is free to end the session at any point he wishes to do so. Hypnotherapy involves a two- way participation between the patient and the therapist. It must be emphasized that what the therapist does, is by definition, therapeutic. The first stage of the hypnotherapy consultation generally involves an informal interaction between the therapist and the patient. This aims to bring the specific issues that are to be dealt with into focus. The next stage includes the actual process of hypnosis. At the time of hypnosis, the therapist may make some suggestions to the patient that will deal with the particular problems that the person needs to be treated. The patient, at this time, when his mind is at the subconscious level, will be able to better register the information that is being given to him.
There are many methods that can be adopted in giving hypnotherapy to a patient. There is the method of Direct and Indirect suggestion, the repetition method, the Guided Imagery method and the Age Regression method to name a few. Any one of these techniques is adopted to treat a particular problem that the patient may be facing.
Hypnotherapy, as we know of, is the product of centuries of study and research by various scientists, doctors and practitioners. In fact, the use of therapy as a form of clinical treatment has been around from ancient times. It is our privilege that in the modern world we can avail the advantages that hypnotherapy has to offer.
