how would you describe the state of hypnosis to a patient? what would it feel?

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Permalink Reply by Katherine Zimmerman on July 5, 2010 at 5:28pm

Here's the pre-talk that I give my students as a starting point. I personalize it. For example, if a client is a CPA I ask if they've ever been so engrossed with numbers that they lose track of time? When they agree I point out that that's hypnosis.

Define hypnosis: Hypnosis is simply deep mental and physical relaxation. It can also be described as a focused awareness. Any time you narrow down your focus, as you do when you’re really engrossed in a good book or movie, you have created a state of self hypnosis. You might have experienced this while working on the computer as well. Any time that you’re more focused on the project in front of you and less focused on your outside surroundings, you’re in a light state of hypnosis.
Dispel the myths: In a state of hypnosis you’re not asleep or unconscious. You’re aware of your surroundings. You can’t be forced to do anything that’s against your will nor will you do anything that goes against your morals, belief or ethics. You’re in complete control. And, I wish that I could be in control.
Personalize: Think about it... wouldn’t it be easier if I were in control? I love working with teens and I’d have teens and their parents lined up for appointments. So, yes, there’s a part of me that would like to be in control but it just isn’t true.
Hypnosis is a natural state. We pass in and out of hypnosis every day. It’s that comfortable, relaxed sleepy feeling that we have as we fall asleep at night and as we awaken in the morning. At those times we are actually passing through a hypnotic state.
Most people experience highway hypnosis at one time or another. Haven’t you ever reached your destination and wondered where the time went or realized that you’d missed the familiar landmarks along the way?
There are five physiological signs that indicate that you’re in a state of hypnosis. You’ll feel at least one of the five.
1. You feel so relaxed that you don’t want to move a muscle
2. You may have a feeling of heaviness, or lightness, especially in your arms and legs.
3. You may feel numbness, tingling, or dullness in your feet or hands.
4. You may feel as if you’re floating.
5. You may feel so detached from the environment that surroundings feel quite distant.
Any questions?
Are you ready for me to hypnotize you? (Verbal contract)

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on July 5, 2010 at 7:56pm

I use a technique I learned from Richard Nongard.

After I've explained hypnosis and dispelled the myths, I say, "Okay, let's do an exercise that will teach you what hypnosis feels like. There are three steps to this exercise. First, you'll close your eyes. Second, you'll silently count to five. Finally, you'll open your eyes. So it's close your eyes, count to five, then open your eyes. Ready? Go ahead."

Then I wait till they open their eyes.

"That's what a light state of hypnosis feels like. You still know who you are and where you are, you're still aware of the chair, and you would hear my voice if I speak. You can still hear the cars in the street, but none of that matters as you focus on my voice and your own internal voice, the one that was counting. Now, if I didn't warn you, your internal voice would probably be saying, 'I can't be hypnotized because I can hear my own thoughts!' But now that I've warned you, you can just relax."

"I should mention that you might reach such a deep state that your internal voice goes away. If that happens, congratulate yourself on easily achieving what every monk in Tibet is struggling to do. But if it doesn't, realize that you can still make powerful changes in your life, even in a light state of trance."

Besides helping them understand trance, this technique also begins the fractionation.

Personally, I don't tell people that hypnosis is a state of relaxation, because that is simply inaccurate. Lots of people experience hypnosis and trance while in excited states. Consider the level of tension that all the audiences of Jaws experienced--and that hypnosis was so strong that it instilled phobias in the viewers.

James

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on July 5, 2010 at 8:59pm

I think the answer to that question is subject to the person asking it!

If I am addressing a young person who expects some type of magical experience, I enhance my reply in that manner. If it is an inquiry from an analytical type, I might include conversation about the judgemental thought process, John Cleesattle style. If I am dealing with a woman who complains of living an over-stressed life abundant with responsibilities, I might present it as a special gift from her own mind to allow her to take a wonderful respite.

Hypnosis is something different to each person. Presenting it in the context through which they will relate will allow for the best expectation and participation.

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Henxy on July 6, 2010 at 1:51am

Do you have patients?

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Permalink Reply by Philippe MIRAS on July 6, 2010 at 2:35am

a lot: i m dentist.

for hypnosis ( in dentistery ): not much. im just begining

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on July 6, 2010 at 4:29am

I am with Kelley and James --

Every trance is unique just like every one of your patients is unique like all the rest of your patients-- Hypnosis is a way of focusing attention there and reducing your awareness here making it possible to have dental work feel as if it was happening to some one else...


In order to get the most out of my advice-- you must: Imagine that you are the dentist who uses hypnosis to put the fun back into dentistry -- It's really easy, if you sell the sizzle - Doc, - Now, imagine that you're a dentist and a master chef -- Consider these short ditties as ideas for recipes for your inductions - and season to taste-

Make it attractive and desirable to experience hypnosis... I am so glad that I studied Hypnosis - My patients LOVE being hypnotized! -- (You've captured their attention - Now all you have to do is focus their "attention" away from being in the dental chair which reduces their awareness of what is going on in their mouths which automatically reduces their sensory experiences...)

Keep it open ended:

A hypnotic trance is a very pleasurable and enjoyable experience - some folks feel like they are floating on a cloud, others feel like they are wrapped in a blanket of peacefulness and ease, some of my patients feel a lightness, some feel varying egress of heaviness and some feel a pleasant warmth in their hand and/or feet -- All of them know that they are really enjoying the experience -- Would you like to experience it-- Use the above imagery in your induction


It's really easy to go into a hypnotic trance, you know- We do it all of the time, when you focus your attention away from what is going on here and take "it" to that special place, in the privacy of your mind where you can enjoy your favorite fantasies and/or day dreams, - what is happening here is as if it were happening to some one else-- Would like to take an imaginary vacation? Send them to their favorite destination and involve all of their senses in the wonderful experience in your induction...

People wonder how hypnosis feels - Did your mouth ever water when you were thinking about your favorite food? Did your mood ever change when you heard a favorite song or did you ever break into a smile when you remembered something that made you laugh out loud? That's how hypnosis feels... Shall we give "it" a go. Focus their attention on their how they feel about their favorite people and things in your induction...

Remember - "seriousity" killed the cat - Keep it lighthearted.

Consider me a resource.

Michael E.
Medical and Dental Hypnotist/Hypnosis Educator

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Permalink Reply by Henxy on July 6, 2010 at 4:36am

I'd be careful about being too evangelical about hypnosis.
Whilst wearing two hats (dental and hypnosis), there will always be areas of conflict, and one can come across a bit like a religious nut trying to convert everyone they meet, rather than living a good life by example.
Remember that hypnosis is another tool in your bag, and not the only one. To me, hypnosis will be an option, alongside the norms of LA and sedation options that others might choose. Ensure that its their choice, rather than your enthusiasm for hypnosis and all its added bonusesthat allows you to use hypnosis, and they will already be engaged.
The simpler the explanation, the better. And of course, address any queries and concerns they have.

Philipppe MIRAS said:

a lot: i m dentist.

for hypnosis ( in dentistery ): not much. im just begining

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Hanover on July 6, 2010 at 5:18pm

Speaking as a client, I almost never "feel hypnotized." I can recognize in retrospect that this "lifeguard" part of my brain has been overseeing my safety as my conscious mind skipped happily down to the beach, but at the time, it's hard for me to discern. Physically, I feel pretty much exactly the same.

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