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Jumping and jolting out of hypnosis when going deeper
Hi everyone,
There may be a technical name for what my client is experiencing, but it is the first time I have had this happen and would love some clarity and assistance on how to work with her effectively.
I have a wonderful elderly client who is having trouble sleeping - on first appointment, as we were descending into deep relaxation, the client jumped and jolted so hard in the chair it gave me a fright! The client was completely shocked and shaken but thankfully was happy (i'm trying not to give gender) and willing to try again. We managed to get client to a deep state and took 3 counts back...
A week later the client has shared is getting off to sleep easier but is now noticing how tense they are. We did a good session today, and was interesting, every time going into deep trance the client would jump (like a young newborn does when you lay them flat and they throw their arms out!) and arms and legs would fly out... but each time I was able to keep talking the client down and they would then continue down, and each time came less and less awake.
Can someone explain to me what might be going on? The client is very stressed and uptight - also explained to me that feels it is more physical rather than mental as felt self going deeper AFTER each jump.
There has only been one other time this has happened with a client and it was a young girl who was very frightened was going to lose control as she was going very deep - she jumped out of relaxation as I got to about "4" and started crying and was scared... I can understand this, it can feel scarey to let go like that if you don't have the understanding and has only ever happened the once.
If you can either point me in the right direction to do more research or let me know if you have had this and if you were able to combat with the client. I have suggested she get one of my cd's and use it regularly, i feel that with time and the ability for her to finally let go and relax, she will overcome this.
Please excuse my ignorance on this situation, I am still learning and where better to learn :)
Amber xoxoxo
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on -
It sounds to me like the client may be experiencing some sort of startle reflex. I'd enquire of the client as to what the client's immediate experience was. Occasionally a person may experience a sensation of falling and something like that could invoke a startle reflex.
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Permalink Reply by amber lee poole on -
yes, that is definitely what is going on... the client actually has no idea (at this point) what is happening... no memory of it until it happens... not to say, that as the client becomes more aware of many things through our sessions, the client will have more clarity...
Is there any way of stopping this reflex? I'd love to know if anyone has overcome this with a client...my client is very annoyed with it and isn't afraid of the process (that we know of at this moment)
Amber xo
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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on
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I presume you have suggested that the client is safe, secure, relaxed, comfortable and is well supported? Maybe it is a form of loss of equilibrium?
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Permalink Reply by amber lee poole on
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Yes, many, many times :)
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Permalink Reply by tc_Burt on
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Just based on the fact that the client seems to go deeper after a startle, I wonder how fractionation would work with this?
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Permalink Reply by Chris Witherspoon on -
This is my take and I base it on personal experience. From time to time when I have had a rough day with a lot of tension and stress both physical and mental, when I lay down to sleep and I start deep breathing and doing a progressive relaxation I often hit a point where I have a full body jerk or spasm. It is my belief that this is a sudden release of body tension. I carry alot of upper body body tension and quite often use a progressive relaxation technique before going to sleep. You mention your client was tense. I don't understand why I hold this body tension but because I am aware of it I take breaks during the day to let go of some of this tension. I suppose if I did a lot of digging I would find out why the tension. My gut reaction is that I am guarded for some reason. It is something I am working on.
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Permalink Reply by terri b on -
if it wasnt a client situation id probably try something like holding them -- but since it is, perhaps if they hold a blanket wrapped snuggly about them. i'm thinking that way when the spasm hits, its contained a bit and that feeling could provide some assurance?
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Permalink Reply by Eric G. Schneider on -
Your client was probably falling asleep. What you describe is called "Sleep myoclonus"
It occurs during the initial phases of sleep, especially at the moment of dropping off to sleep.
Usually it is nothing to worry about but sometimes might indicate a more serious problem. (we don't diagnose as you know..:-)
Dr. Eric
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Permalink Reply by Lisa A Miller on -
Hi Amber.
I've had experiences with clients who have their legs and/or arms jerk while going into trance. I tell them "with every jerk/jump of your legs/arms, you go deeper. Relaxing more and more...." I've been working with two clients who have very jumpy legs. As we've worked together, those "symptoms" have all but disappeared. It is my experience that as they have learned to relax, and relax deeply, the jumpy legs have become mere twitches.
Reasure your client that this is a normal occurence and will most likely go away as she/he learns how to relax deeply.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Miller on -
I have experienced this and there are the three causes that I know of. Eric and Chris discussed two of them (sleep and tension), but I will add my $0.02. The other cause is fear.
If it's a borderline sleep response, you can see them in the morning and that usually fixes it. This type of thing is more common for me with my evening appointments.
If it's tension, you can use fractionation and inductions to teach them how to release it and systematically let it go.
The tension your client is experiencing suggests fear however. You and I know there is nothing to fear. The client might even think they know it, yet there is something in their subconscious mind that is unwilling to let go. When she starts to let go, she catches herself and alerts herself and consciously takes control again.
The best way to get over a fear like this is to get John Cleesattel's book Hypnomechanica and use the expectancy induction. There is other info in that book which can help you help your client overcome the fear. But that is assuming she wants to overcome it. If you aren't getting results, you might want to bring up the option of working on letting go first. However, if she is getting better sleep, you could just let her startle herself back to conscious control over and over and act as if it's normal.
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Permalink Reply by docregal.com on -
Prior to posting, I read your response, Michael, and also favor your view that fear is the issue. The client is concerned about "what if" something unfavorable is going to happen to her. This is a typical obstacle, barrier or objection that can most often be circumvented by conducting a stronger pre-talk before the initial induction happens.
A note for all: Tension indicates an unreleased emotion.
Michael Miller said:I have experienced this and there are the three causes that I know of. Eric and Chris discussed two of them (sleep and tension), but I will add my $0.02. The other cause is fear.
If it's a borderline sleep response, you can see them in the morning and that usually fixes it. This type of thing is more common for me with my evening appointments.
If it's tension, you can use fractionation and inductions to teach them how to release it and systematically let it go.
The tension your client is experiencing suggests fear however. You and I know there is nothing to fear. The client might even think they know it, yet there is something in their subconscious mind that is unwilling to let go. When she starts to let go, she catches herself and alerts herself and consciously takes control again.
The best way to get over a fear like this is to get John Cleesattel's book Hypnomechanica and use the expectancy induction. There is other info in that book which can help you help your client overcome the fear. But that is assuming she wants to overcome it. If you aren't getting results, you might want to bring up the option of working on letting go first. However, if she is getting better sleep, you could just let her startle herself back to conscious control over and over and act as if it's normal.
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Permalink Reply by amber lee poole on
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Thanx Dr Eric,
I explained to the client that I would see if others have experienced this and that I think it would be good to discuss with client's GP as on a fair bit of medication and there could be something underlying.
Amber xo
Eric G. Schneider said:Your client was probably falling asleep. What you describe is called "Sleep myoclonus"
It occurs during the initial phases of sleep, especially at the moment of dropping off to sleep.
Usually it is nothing to worry about but sometimes might indicate a more serious problem. (we don't diagnose as you know..:-)
Dr. Eric
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