Last week someone asked me if hypnotherapy was effective and whether or not it could be combined with other types of therapy.
It’s a good question. But I couldn’t answer it since I’ve never had a particular interest in hypnosis.
I guess it’s because I’ve always associated hypnosis with stage acts.
But man, was I wrong.
- In 1955 the British Medical Association issued a report stating that hypnosis was a valuable medical tool.
- In 1958 the American Medical Association recognized hypnosis as a viable scientific modality.
- In 1962 the American Psychiatric Association recognized that hypnosis was a viable modality to treat some psychological problems.
- The British Psychological Society wrote a report in 2001 called The Nature of Hypnosis declaring that it is a real thing – it has valid clinical, research, forensic investigation and training uses.
Here’s what else I learned:
Hypnotherapy is a legitimate form of therapy that is very effective when combined with other forms of therapy like CBT.
In fact, in 1995 a meta-analysis of 18 studies showed that when hypnotherapy was combined with CBT it improved outcomes by 70%.
It’s also not magical. Hypnosis is simply focused awareness coupled with guided visualization.
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing psychologist Randolph Shipon PhD, a New Jersey based hypnotherapist that was kind enough to educate me on the topic.
Dr. Shipon described hypnosis as a way of re-imagining the future.
It’s also practical. You can undergo hypnotherapy in as little as six sessions.
All that being said, I can see why the idea of being hypnotized might freak you out, so it may be comforting to know that hypnosis is nothing new.
One of the most surprising things I found is that its roots go far back into ancient times.
Hypnosis (a type of trance) was originally used as a means of communicating with the gods and healing.
Modern hypnosis can be traced back to German physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815).
He practiced something called mesmerism; the act of holding someones attention entirely.
People that undergo hypnosis are not slaves to suggestion though, they are actually hyper-aware.
I can see why this works actually. Anxiety has a nasty way of fixating the mind on the negative.
It robs you of the ability to imagine a future without fear.
As far as I can tell, hypnosis allows you to suspend the fear factor and shape a new way forward.
In this week’s episode of The Anxiety Guru Show I explore how hypnosis can lower anxiety. I hope you enjoy the podcast.
And don’t forget to share your brilliant comments below!
And hypnotherapy is associated with dark powers and Satan. Stay away. Period! (And I was so looking forward to a new podcast. Sorry, I’m going to have to pass on this one. The very last thing we need is to open yet another door for demons.)
Um. Demons? Are those types of comments helpful? Everyone has their own niche. It is empathetic to let people find out their plan on their own. If hypnotherapy helps someone that is amazing. Demons, or not. I don’t find it helpful to deter folks away from something that could be an avenue that would help. I look forward to listening to the podcast, Paul!
Yeah, not sure what to say about that except if it is not for you then pass. The solution to abnormal anxiety is as unique as the condition itself.
Plus, if you’re going to shoot something down please feel free to offer constructive alternatives.
I am just shocked that you do not understand God telling us that this is an abomination! (That means REALLY big trouble if you dabble.) Shooting the messenger is a nice touch. You know what they say about good intentions and the road.
There is lots of evidence supporting hypnotherapy as a useful tool for psychological problems and a fair few psychiatrists are schooled in hypnotherapy for medical purposes. I would look into the work of the late psychiatrist Milton Erickson as he is regarded as the father of modern American hypnotherapy.
Good tip Allan. Thank you!
In one of my residency programs for my master’s degree (in psychology) I took a hypnotherapy class. The entire class actually participated in hypnotherapy. I was a skeptic at first too…until I tried it. Like you say, it’s not a loss of control, it’s actually a hypersensitivity to yourself. After just one 15 minute session I was more relaxed than I could ever remember in my life. I walked out and nothing bothered me at all for the rest of the afternoon; the anxiety was gone! I have started using an app called “Calm” to help me practice mindful meditation each day. I think that mindfulness and hypnotherapy are closely related because they focus on specific physical things like your breathing or where your back touches the chair. When using this app I get that same feeling of relaxation as I did during hypnotherapy. I’m planning on doing a write up about it on my blog but I think some of your readers would find it beneficial as well.
This is a nice new method. I mean, I totally agree that before I stumble on this blog, all I know is hypnosis is just for show. With all the medical researches that prove hypnosis is a useful tool for anxiety, I think that’s clear enough point that it’s real. I think it’s also cool that people who undergo hypnosis are hyper aware instead of being in a slave-like trance. It’s a great guarantee. Movie-like hypnosis are really scary, you know.