 A large number of people have based their views of hypnosis on their observation of stage hypnotists or stories they have heard from others who have seen these shows. Although these performances can be entertaining, many people come away with the fear that hypnosis means loss of control and that the hypnotist can make a person exhibit silly, humiliating, or even unethical behavior.
Myths and Misconseptions
- The patient gives up all power to the hypnotist; the patient is under complete control of the hypnotist; the patient can be made to say or do something against her/his will.
All hypnosis is, in fact, self-hypnosis. The patient is always in control. The hypnotist is there to help guide and structure the experience, but only to the degree that the patient permits it. It is clearly a relationship of mutual responsiveness.
- Hypnosis is a form of sleep.
Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration. Although there is decreased physical activity, the patient is aware and responsive and can remember what went on during and after the experience.
- One must be relaxed in order to be in hypnosis.
Since hypnosis is a state of concentrated attention, you can be anxious, even in deep suspense, and still be focused. Physical relaxation is not a necessary prerequisite for hypnosis to occur.
- Only a small percentage (or certain types) of people can be hypnotized.
People range on a continuum of hypnotizability. Factors such as fear, motivation, lack of rapport between therapist and patient, and distracting physical surroundings can all detract from hypnotizability. The ability to be hypnotized is not gender specific.
- You can get "stuck" in hypnosis.
The trance state can be terminated by the patient at any time.
- Hypnosis is "truth" serum.
I hear this myth quite often!. Although hypnosis allows the subject to access memories, often subconscious memories, with great attention to detail, the patient, always with awareness and control, can censor what is divulged to the hypnotherapist. The subject can withhold information or even lie, if desired.
- Hypnosis is a therapy.
Hypnosis is not a therapy in and of itself. Rather hypnosis is a therapeutic tool that should be used in conjuction with other modalities to promote self-awareness, autonomy and enhance well-being. Although the results of hypnosis can be astounding, "cures" are by no means guaranteed, nor are they generally instantaneous.
- Hypnosis is harmful.
"In terms of potential emotional harm, it is not hypnosis itself that may cause damage; difficulties may arise due to either the content of a session or the clinician's inability to effectively guide the client. The same conditions exist, of course, in any helping relationship where one person is in distress, vulnerable, and seeking relief. An inexperienced or uneducated helper may inadvertently offer poor advice, state misinformation as fact, make grandiose promises, misdiagnose a problem or its dynamics, or do nothing at all and simply waste the client's time and money." (Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D. Essentials of Hypnosis).
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