Questions and Answers about Hypnotherapy

WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

Hypnotherapy is the medical application of hypnosis for the purpose of treating disease.

HOW DOES HYPNOSIS TREAT DISEASE?

Hypnotherapy can:

1. Assist determination to remove harmful habits such as CIGARETTE SMOKING or cocaine addiction
   
2. Relieve pain as from arthritis or tumors
   
3. Assist in regaining function such as help certain forms of paralysis
   
4. Reduce disturbing symptoms such as panic and fearful states
   
5. Assist in the recall of lost memories
   
6. Assist the body through cellular or non-conscious processes to resist disease such as remove warts (a viral infection) and possibly increase the immune response of the body
   
7. Assist other forms of medical treatment such as reducing nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy for cancer
   
8. Change harmful behavior patterns such as overeating resulting in obesity, or nail biting
   
9. Specific control over disease processes such as restriction of bleeding in hemophiliacs after tooth extraction.

CAN EVERYBODY BE HYPNOTIZED?

One quarter of the population make excellent hypnotic subjects and can benefit by treatment with very little time spent. While half of adults are hypnotizable to some extent and can also receive useful therapy, the remaining one quarter would require too much time and is generally regarded as non-hypnotizable or having very low response to this treatment.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT HYPNOTIZABLE, IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THEM?

With the use of relaxation techniques and imagery, as well as the new Biofeedback Therapies, the patients with low hypnotizability are also treatable.

IS THERE ANY DANGER IN HYPNOSIS?

There is no record in scientific writing of anyone who has died as a result of hypnosis. Harmful effects of hypnosis are virtually unknown when treatment is in the hands of a competent and experienced doctor. Most cases of difficulty following hypnosis occur after stage hypnosis or in the hands of an inexperienced layman.

ARE ANY SAFEGUARDS REQUIRED DURING HYPNOSIS?

Yes, generally for female patients an observer is always present and naturally the same ethical standards practiced by the physician in other forms of treatment apply to hypnosis as well.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE HYPNOTIZED?

The patients feels physically in a very relaxed state but there is a conscious awareness of what is happening. It is almost as if one observes one's self during the process. Patients report a feeling of calm and relaxation following hypnosis with often a sense of renewed vigor and well being.