Wednesday, February 17, 2010

HYPNOSIS & HOW IT IS USED AS A THERAPY: NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1 ARTICLE 2

Hypnosis and how it is used as a Therapy

Everyone enters a hypnotic state unknowingly every day.
Before you fall asleep and as you wake up you enter the hypnogogic and hypnopogic states.

However many people enter the deep state of relaxation that is hypnosis in many other situations. Whilst driving – how often do you arrive somewhere and wonder how you got there? Whilst at work – ever catch yourself staring into space for seconds but on looking at the clock realise it was minutes? Watching TV – ever had a partner/friend tap you as they had been talking to you but you could not hear? This deep state of relaxation is hypnosis. We can however also explore this by looking at the different brain waves.

Brain waves are categorised into four categories Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

Beta 14-30Hz; this is the state of normal wakefulness and how we spend much of the day. One is awake and alert.

Alpha 8-13Hz; this is how we are when we are relaxed, eyes closed and daydreaming for example. These are the brain waves that come into use when we are really using our imagination. The conscious mind becomes less dominant and the subconscious comes more to the fore. These are the brain waves we get when zoning out and using meditation. When the alpha brain waves are in force we are in a light state of hypnosis.

Theta 4-7Hz; the theta state can be achieved by repetitive movement or sound. In this state the subconscious mind is totally dominant. When you are dreaming, in deeper hypnosis, meditating, or in the zone in sports, you are in theta. The theta state is what you will be in if in deep hypnosis, for some hypnoanaesthesia can be achieved. Hypnoanaesthesia occurs when clients are so deeply relaxed that surgeries can occur with sensation but without pain. Although theta occurs during drowsy, meditative or sleeping states it does not occur during the deepest stages of sleep.

Delta 0.5 – 4Hz; Delta is the unconscious state. It is where we are during the
deepest stages of sleep and the state at which we will not remember what is happening. The delta state could be a reason why many people forget what has happened during their hypnosis sessions. It is however not a state that any hypnotist wants their subject to go into because it goes against the definition of hypnosis, which is (defined briefly) a heighted state of concentration achieved through deep relaxation.

These definitions explain exactly how hypnosis works. When in the alpha or theta state the subconscious comes to the fore. It is the subconscious that a hypnotherapist works with. We can use this state to access repressed memories and emotions that may be attached to the problem in some way. Remembering the memory can allow the client to release any emotion that was not let out at the time or simply understand the memory from an adult view point opposed to the child’s. This is important because our brain reacts to certain situations by remembering the way we behaved the last time a similar situation occurred. This is fine if the previous reaction was positive but if it restricts us or negatively affects us in some way it is not good. For example if one learnt as a child to eat sweets when feeling bored this will continue into adulthood. Using hypnosis we can change that reaction to certain situations.

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