What is hypnotherapy? Understand the 5 types of problems that hypnotherapy can help solve

Does hypnosis really work?Hypnotherapy can access the subconscious, which is a state of concentration and is one of the formal psychological treatments. The hypnotist will intervene by repeating verbal statements and mental images, making the case feel calm and relaxed, willing to accept hypnotic suggestions, and thus change themselves.

What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis originated in the 18th century and was initially deceptive and closer to magic shows. At that time, Dr. Franz Mesmer, a German doctor, invented a magical therapy that could cure all kinds of strange diseases. He would instill "hypnotic air flow" into the patient in dim lighting and psychedelic music, and the patient would recover.

By the end of the 19th century, the British Academy of Medical Sciences recognized hypnosis as a clinical treatment approach. In 1958, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized hypnosis as a medical treatment tool.

Hypnosis can be divided into two types: classical hypnosis and modern hypnosis

The former takes one hour or more to enter the state, making the hypnotized person constantly enter deeper states; the latter can complete the entire treatment within one hour, just close your eyes and focus on listening to what the hypnotherapist says, there will be a hypnotic effect, and you don't necessarily need to return to a specific scene. The process of hypnotherapy requires both parties to first gain mutual trust. The hypnotherapist will understand the problems that the case needs to solve and the reasons for accepting hypnotherapy, and then give the case some suggestions during the treatment, without any particularly negative effects.

What diseases can hypnosis treat?

The hypnosis process may reveal some hidden negative emotions or stresses, including lovelorn, unemployed, domestic violence, school bullying and other stresses and troubles. The person being hypnotized can better understand themselves during the process and help themselves unlock the heart.

The Rehab Society and the University of Hong Kong's Behavioural Health Centre once conducted a hypnosis treatment for insomnia study with 37 participants. The participants participated in individual hypnosis therapy and groups, and the results found that it helped to relieve insomnia problems. The average sleep time of the participants increased from 6 hours before treatment to 7 hours, and emotions such as anxiety or depression also decreased.

Hypnotherapy can also be used for other conditions, including:

Pain control;
Hypnosis can help relieve pain caused by burns, cancer, childbirth, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint problems, dental surgery, and headaches;
Endocrine disorders;
Hypnosis can alleviate symptoms related to endocrine disorders
Behaviour change;
Hypnosis has achieved some success in treating insomnia, enuresis, smoking, and binge eating
Side effects of cancer treatment;
Hypnosis has been used to relieve side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Mental health disorders;
Hypnosis helps to treat symptoms of anxiety, phobias and PTSD
Who is not suitable for hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy can effectively improve bad habits and fears, help to improve health, intimacy, concentration, and reduce pain, and can also improve learning and performance in public places, generally without negative effects.

Many people think that only those with weak willpower are easily hypnotized, but in fact, hypnotherapy focuses on the cooperation and trust between the parties and the hypnotist, and with sufficient focus, it helps to receive prompts to enter the hypnotic realm and help find out the causes of insomnia or emotional distress. Therefore, people with poor concentration or a strong self-protection mechanism are relatively difficult to enter the hypnotic realm.

Is there any risk in hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis performed by a trained therapist is considered a safe medical treatment, but hypnosis may not be suitable for patients with severe mental illness.

Adverse reactions to hypnosis are rare, but may include:
Headache
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Anxiety or emotional distress
Production of false memories