Psychoanalysis is a complex discipline, and has received equal parts praise and criticism over the last few centuries. One of the things about Psychoanalysis that generates the most concern is the Hypnosis: what could happen to the person who is under a state of hypnosis?
Unfortunately, currently there are myths and misunderstandings about what hypnosis is and how it works. Television shows have helped to instill a certain fear and suspicion towards the practice of hypnosis. The stereotypes created lead people to have false beliefs and be reluctant towards hypnosis-based therapy.
Today, let’s solve The 10 most commonly spread myths about hypnosis.
1. Are people in a hypnotic state in a state of unconsciousness?
It’s not like that. In reality, the person in a hypnotic state experiences an improvement in their concentration and is able to focus in an unusual way. The patient is conscious at all times during the hypnosis process.
This myth is widely spread thanks to the idea, also erroneous, that to enter a hypnotic state the patient must have their eyes closed. Closing the eyes can indeed help improve concentration and therefore is something that favors the state of hypnosis, but a patient who keeps his eyes open can also become hypnotized. In these cases, it is often called “active hypnosis.”
3. During hypnosis, can the therapist “manipulate” the patient’s desires or actions?
Without a real willingness on the part of the patient to undergo the hypnosis process, there can be no hypnosis. It is impossible to induce the state of attentional focus typical of hypnosis if the patient does not collaborate in the process.
In any case, the therapist has no control over the subject’s will. The patient has at all times the attentional capacity to make his or her own decisions. If the therapist “orders” the patient to do something against his will, he would leave the hypnotic state.
4. During the state of hypnosis, is it true that the patient can accurately remember everything that has occurred during his life?
No, it’s not true. What happens is that, on some occasions, the patient can develop stories about moments in his life that do not correspond to what really happened.
5. What “power” must the hypnotist possess to be able to hypnotize patients?
It is not about having any supernatural power or gift. Any properly prepared and qualified professional can use the hypnosis process to treat patients.
6. Do patients remember what happened while they were hypnotized?
The vast majority of people are able to remember everything or almost everything that took place during the hypnosis process.
7. Is hypnosis a therapy?
Not quite. Hypnosis is not a therapy in itself. Hypnosis is a specific technique that can be used with good results and to encourage certain changes in the subject. We could say that patients are not treated ‘with’ hypnosis, but rather ‘under’ hypnosis and always with the support of other techniques, processes and tools that the therapist uses.
8. Are the people most susceptible to being hypnotized less intelligent or something similar?
No. In fact, it’s quite the other way around. There is a positive correlation (although it is not a very strong correlation, actually) between the patient’s intelligence and his “hypnotizability.” Therefore, it is the most intelligent people who can achieve the state of attentional focus more easily.
9. Is hypnosis dangerous or does it involve any type of risk?
There have been no reported cases of anyone suffering physical or psychological harm caused by a hypnosis session. Many people are hypnotized every day by hundreds of professionals, and the majority not only report no harm, but just the opposite.
10. Could the hypnotized patient remain in a trance state permanently if the therapist does not awaken him?
As already mentioned, people who undergo the hypnosis process can leave this state whenever they wish. It should be remembered that the state of attentional focus is not synonymous with falling asleep. Consequently, it is impossible to wake up someone who is not asleep, because they are already awake!
The truth is that, during the hypnosis process and due to the relaxation achieved, the subject could fall asleep, but this would be an absolutely conventional state and they could wake up on their own without needing help from the therapist.
