There are things more challenging than feeling out of sync with your normal self due to mental health issues. It’s unfortunate that some people may never encounter struggles in their lifetime. However the reality remains that mental illness affects around twenty percent of the population and I find myself belonging to that group.
Throughout my life there have been three occasions where I didn’t feel like my true self. The first instance dates back to when I was ten years old just after my grandmother passed away. It was during this time that I noticed signs of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Thankfully seeking counseling helped me break free from those patterns.
Another significant episode occurred during my sophomore year in college. A breakup triggered a spiral causing sleeplessness, anxiety, OCD symptoms and overwhelming despair. Coupled with hardships within my family it was an incredibly challenging period where I felt disconnected from the happy, serene and sleep loving person I used to be. All I longed for was to reclaim the essence of who I was, before going through that experience.Fortunately I made the decision to seek counseling and reluctantly began taking medication to address my depression. For a part of seven years my symptoms were manageable. However life threw challenges my way. Not did I lose my job the previous year but I also experienced the loss of my uncle. The emotional strain and financial pressure that followed affected me in ways I couldn’t anticipate.
As a result I developed PTSD. My sleeplessness returned with a vengeance. Thoughts related to my OCD haunted me constantly. My anxiety became so overwhelming that it paralyzed me. Activities I used to enjoy like getting ready in the morning putting on makeup attending concerts writing and spending time with friends became sources of torment.
In a pursuit to regain a sense of normalcy I was willing to try anything. This led me to explore the practice of hypnosis something I had never considered before.
Can Self Hypnosis Be Beneficial for Managing Anxiety and Depression?
Individuals dealing with conditions such as OCD, PTSD, phobias, anxiety or depression may find that traditional treatments and medication aren’t always sufficient, in alleviating their symptoms.Hypnosis presents itself as a technique that may offer assistance in matters. Fayina Cohen, a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist explains that anxiety can be seen as a form of self hypnosis albeit with negative effects. Through the practice of hypnosis one has the ability to reprogram their mind with beliefs she suggests. Cohen also rejects the notion that hypnosiss a charlatans game or solely embraced by counterculture individuals calling these stereotypes.
Nevertheless due to the associations and widespread skepticism surrounding hypnosis many individuals grappling with mental health challenges remain unaware of its potential benefits. In my journey it was my therapist who introduced hypnosis as an option and I am immensely grateful to them for the progress I have made thus far. Naturally like the majority of people I initially approached the idea with reservations. In my minds eye I pictured someone brandishing a golden chain attached to a pocket watch inducing unconsciousness through mysterious means.
When you find yourself unwell that your daily functioning becomes an arduous task you become willing to try almost anything to regain wellness. That is how my curiosity in exploring hypnosis was piqued and how I eventually developed faith in its transformative power.
The initial phase of my sessions with the hypnotist primarily revolved around talk therapy. This served as a foundation, for the hypnosis session constituting its second phase.I had sessions with a hypnotist who followed a crafted script, which she would modify weekly according to the specific issues we aimed to address. The meetings typically lasted between fifteen to thirty minutes. This routine continued for approximately eight months. Additionally I was given homework in the form of a recording that I had to listen to before going to sleep.
Although some of the recordings might not always make sense they contain instructions meant to be absorbed by the subconscious mind. These instructions are designed to induce a state of relaxation similar to daydreaming or experiencing “highway hypnosis” while driving on a long road and unintentionally missing an exit.
According to Joanne Ferdman, a certified hypnotist from Theta Healing Arts in Huntington, New York our subconscious minds often hold negative messages that need to be cleared out by a hypnotist. Ferdman emphasizes the importance of this process stating that hypnotherapy acts as a tool for managing thoughts releasing harmful experiences and offering positive suggestions.
However it is essential to note that despite being receptive to these suggestions hypnosis should not be mistaken, for mind control.According to Ferdman hypnosis does not have the power to make someone act against their will. “Your conscious mind already knows what you want to work on. I can only suggest something that your conscious mind fully agrees with.
Regarding outcomes everyone experiences time differently. Some people see improvements within a few sessions feeling more calm, optimistic and in control. However for others it might take time to initiate the healing process. This duration depends on the individual and the state of their mind. Ferdman states that the average person has around 60,000 thoughts per day with many of them being negative. Therefore if you have a level of negativity in your life even if you consciously desire change it might take longer to notice the effects of hypnosis.
Hypnosis involves providing clients with reminders aimed at alleviating their fear and worry. These reminders help clients rewire their brains towards a positive mindset whenever they feel overwhelmed, by negativity.If you’re still reading and finding this topic intriguing you’re not alone. It seems that more and more people are turning to hypnosis as a means of clearing experiences. Hypnotists utilize a technique called “regression” in cases. During regression the hypnotist takes the client back in time to the moment of the occurrence of a traumatic event. Then they assist the client in processing. Releasing the event from their subconscious.
Interestingly hypnotists claim that the practice of hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular each year. However Cohen adds that the availability of educational resources has contributed to dispelling the perception that hypnosis is merely a fictional concept. “In the decade I’ve received more phone calls about hypnosis than ever before ” remarked Cohen.
If you’re considering trying hypnosis for yourself here are some factors to keep in mind:
6 Tips, for Hypnosis
- Find a hypnotist who makes you feel comfortable. Conduct some research inquire about their training and certification and if possible reach out to their clients. Trusting your care provider regardless of their specialization is crucial.
- Reflect on what motivates you to seek change.You might not be entirely convinced of the potential of this opportunity but if you approach it with an open mind and persist, its likely that you’ll eventually witness some outcomes.
Hypnosis involves a process where both you and your hypnotist actively participate in the healing journey. Whether you’re attentively listening to your hypnotist recite a script or repeatedly absorbing their audio it takes the combined efforts of two individuals to induce hypnosis.
Interestingly hypnosis can have an impact even if you aren’t consciously focusing on the words being spoken. This occurs because the instructions and messages embedded within the script by the hypnotist are absorbed by your mind.
At this point you maintain control over your session. You are not in a trance state and it does not affect your capacity to exercise free will. The role of the hypnotist is solely to facilitate the process.
There is no thing, as an overpowering “strong will” that prevents you from being hypnotized. Engaging in hypnosis does not mean surrendering or deceiving yourself into a state of mind that you genuinely do not wish to enter. Instead your hypnotist assists you in inducing self hypnosis enabling you to attain your desired results.To conclude incorporating hypnosis into my treatment plan required a significant amount of commitment and determination. It wasn’t a fix but rather a process that demanded perseverance and consistency. Attending appointments and diligently listening to the recordings were crucial aspects. Nevertheless I am genuinely pleased with my decision to explore hypnosis as an approach. It has played a role, in restoring my sense of self and has made all the effort I invested worthwhile given the positive impact it has had on my overall well being.
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