Hypnosis For Ptsd. Your Experiences And My Questions

[MollyS]

Hello all. I am new to this and a sufferer of PTSD as a result of severely violent sex assaults and abuse that happened 15 years ago over the course of a year and a half. I have never looked into my symptoms and just thought I was weird and quirky. It wasn’t until I started having severe flashbacks that actually caused me physical pain and unaware of time passing that I reached out for help.


I really like my Therapist and just started talking to him, we have had 4 sessions. He has recommended hypnosis which to me feels really scary. Can someone please tell me firsthand how this works? He has explained it to me time and time again but I am still unsure of how it will affect me.


I guess my main question is do I lose myself and just start talking even if it’s something I don’t want to say? Am I aware and In control, is it like a daydream or a deep sleep? A daydream I can snap out and have total control over my mind whereas a dream im lost to my mind and have no control. Am I stuck in a memory like its really happening or am I aware im in a room with my therapist knowing that I am talking about it and its not actually happening?


Im reading stuff about people getting sexually violated in this state. Its not something I am concerned about as I feel I trust this man and he came highly recommended from a close friend and Police officer. But to be sexually violated means that they were mentally not there and unaware of what was going on. That seems scary to me.


Sorry about the long post and I appreciate any help or just experiences on what you felt, how you reacted or any information you want to share on your experience.


Thank you

Molly

 

[Mel (Hippo256)]

I don't have experience with it, but is it maybe possible for you to take someone with you? Then you might feel more secure, because someone is watching and can interfere if something you wouldn't want is happening/about to happen.

 

[MollyS]

I don't have experience with it, but is it maybe possible for you to take someone with you? Then...

Hi. Thank you for your response. I would like to keep details private and deal with this myself. I trust the Therapist, im just uneasy with loss of full control if that is what hypnosis is. I would like to know exactly what control you lose before i make my choice to do it.

 

[StarChild]

Hi @MollyS, the following answers are based on my personal experience with Clinical Hypnosis. That therapist I worked with, was a psychiatrist who had additional degrees as a trauma-therapist and had also a master degree in Clinical Hypnosis. That is not to be confused with some (sorry, strong language) b*ll sh*t "hypnosis" you read about in the internet. I would not believe every "story" you read. Be it the net or be it tabloids or whatever. I'll stress the term "Clinical Hypnosis" in my answer to you again and again. As there's a huge difference between seriously practiced Clinical Hypnosis, or some manipulative sh*t that some do...

Now, there are special societies to look for informations around the world. In most countries, you have to be some sort of "doctor med." or even a psychiatrist. I put in some links for you to read:
First off, I recommend this link, as it explains what Clinical Hypnosis really is, and what it does. Hypnosis Facts:
http://esh-hypnosis.eu/hypnosis-facts/

Other links:
Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis: (There are a few in Canada, just google Society of Clinical Hypnosis Canada)
www.clinicalhypnosis.ca
Dead Link Removed
www.hypnosisontario.com
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
www.asch.net
International Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Link Removed
European Society of Clinical Hypnosis
http://esh-hypnosis.eu

do I lose myself and just start talking even if it’s something I don’t want to say?

No, absolutely not.

Am I aware and In control,

Yes you are aware most of the time. I say most of, because, when for example you read an interesting book, or watch a thrilling movie, you're quite sure not always "aware" of what happens around you...

is it like a daydream

It's kind of a daydream.

or a deep sleep?

No, you don't sleep. You're in a state of deep inner relaxation.

Im reading stuff about people getting sexually violated in this state. Its not something I am concerned about

Molly, if you were not concerned about being sexually violated under hypnosis, you simply would not look for such "stuff". Please be honest towards yourself, that's very important. It's not a bad thing to be concerned, or have reservations. The question is, where do you look for sound, well-founded facts.

But to be sexually violated means that they were mentally not there and unaware of what was going on.

Uhm, yes, but I truly doubt, that it had to do with seriously practiced hypnosis... You'll find quacksalvers and deceivers everywhere and in all jobs. It's super easy to unnoticeable administer drugs. In liquid form for example. Some of them even work when applied on skin or mucous membranes (trans dermal).

My question to you is; What exactly is the goal of doing clinical hypnosis with you? What did your therapist tell you?

- Okay, if you have further questions, just ask. And please stop reading unhealthy "stuff", that only keeps you from making a step towards trust and healing.

 

[MollyS]

Hi @MollyS, the following answers are based on my personal experience with C...

Thanks TreeHugger, thats some great information that i will have a close look at. Im not worried about being sexually violated under hypnosis. I didnt go looking for that information. I did a search on this forum and read a few things and that came up. I didnt even realize that could happen. I only brought it up as an example because that would be like sedated, which is something i am totally uncomfortable with. I really just want to see if i feel good with how it all works and then give it a try and if i dont like it i will stop. This is something ive never really told anyone so i want to make sure i have 100% control over what i say or do as i am very uncomfortable with the thought of it. I want it to come out as i want it to and not because i am randomly sleep talking.

My end goal is to just stop the flashbacks. They are affecting my life in a way i never thought could be possible. Ive always had little "daydream" type memories but this is a whole other ballgame... Its gotten to the point where i lose time and actually had someone come up to me and "wake" me to ask if i was ok. I "woke" and this was mid jogging and i was crouching, with my hands to my head in the middle of the sidewalk. I told him i had a migraine... but that was when i knew i needed help.

I was also reading that sometimes people forget what happened in Hypnosis, that to me is also a loss of control. I just want to feel comfortable and not pushed for the first time i tell me story. Its very hard on me.

 

[StarChild]

I did a search on this forum and read a few things and that came up. I didnt even realize that could happen.

("Looks puzzled...") Could you be a bit more specific, if possible @MollyS ? What terms were you looking for? Please just share if you're comfortable with, if not, then don't.

My question to you is; What exactly is the goal of doing clinical hypnosis with you? What did your therapist tell you?

My end goal is to just stop the flashbacks. They are affecting my life in a way i never thought could be possible.

Okay, now I understand what your goal, or end goal is. But I think I didn't ask clearly enough. To help you further, I would be interested in what your therapists goal is with Clinical Hypnosis? What did he say about it = What did he tell you, you will gain in doing Clinical Hypnosis?

Sorry, if my way of asking questions seems a bit intricately, it's because I'm a bit tired right now, and because English isn't my first language. There are some more things I'd like to tell you, but I think, it's better for both of us, when we take one step after another. (Otherwise, my braincells will switch to a chaotic dance...;))

 

[MollyS]

I dont remember what i looked up, I think it was just "Hypnosis" nothing too detailed. I was just looking for personal experiences and quickly skimmed through a few posts.

My therapist, who i believe is good as he was recommended by a good friend who works with police officers dealing with PTSD, they send some of the Officers to this guy. So i am assuming he is well trained. He has credentials which he showed me but i honestly didn't pay too much attention.

His goal to to change the way i think using deep relaxation techniques so i can better deal with the issues when they arise. The word guided imagery comes up a lot. This still doesn't make sense to me but im guessing i will have to experience it to understand. Honestly, he has gone over it quite a bit but im always so nervous i cant always listen and dont understand. Im sure he has gone into more detail then the above sentence but thats a basis of it.

I dont mind your questions, i welcome them and truly appreciate the time you are taking to help me. As long as you dont mind my small answers, im so confused and lost and my mind seems to not be working properly =)

 

[StarChild]

Molly, can we take a break? It's 1:35 a.m. and my brain cells lounge around in snoring heaps... To get further in our conversation, (and make sense) I first need to listen on my pillow for a while. This is an interesting topic, but I need my "team" (brain cell gang) to work actively with me. So to say it with Arnold; I'll be back!

(Hope you find some interesting and calming information in the links I gave you. Good night, sleep well. And.... Welcome to the forums! :)

 

[MollyS]

Molly, can we take a break? It's 1:35 a.m. and my brain cells lounge around in snoring heaps... To ge...

bedtime for me too! i have about five days until my next session so ill take my time and go through those sites. havea good night and thanks again!

 

[StarChild]

Hi @MollyS, I read that you're online. Were the links of help for you? Did they put your mind at least a bit at rest?

I recalled something about my own Clinical Hypnosis sessions; I was allowed to record each and every session. So, that I could listen to them as much as I wanted at home. maybe you could ask your T, that you want to record those sessions?.. Oh, and since one's in a deep relaxation state, I was always able to recall everything said or done during such a session. There were no hidden manipulations at all.

 

[MollyS]

Hi @MollyS, I read that you're online. Were the links of help for you? Did they pu...

Hi TreeHugger. I did spend the night looking at most of your links and i have to say they helped a lot. Thank you so much. I feel so much more at ease and almost feel silly for being scared even though i know its natural. I will tell me Therapist that i want to give this a try.

One thing i also did was Google what it looked like when someone is under hypnosis. I found it very non threatening but could only find situations that did not involve violent experiences. I started to wonder what it would be like to talk about my experience, something i have never really dealt with that is very violent, in this state? Do i just talk about all this horrible stuff in a monotonous, dreamy, relaxed voice? Or does it bring me back and even though i know where an i am and am safe do i get tense and maybe cry? Do some people get scared and try and run away while in a dreamy state or is it all relaxed and sleepy?

Again. Thank you so much. You dont know how relieved i am to not have to worry about this in the way i was worrying about it. I truly appreciate it. Taping it also seems like a great idea and is something i will for sure bring up to my T.

 

[halflifeguy]

Hi Molly,

Welcome to the forums, and good luck on your road to recovery.

I started to wonder what it would be like to talk about my experience, something i have never really dealt with that is very violent, in this state? Do i just talk about all this horrible stuff in a monotonous, dreamy, relaxed voice? Or does it bring me back and even though i know where an i am and am safe do i get tense and maybe cry? Do some people get scared and try and run away while in a dreamy state or is it all relaxed and sleepy?

IME hypnosis is just like being deeply relaxed but still awake. With my eyes closed I couldn't see still hear and feel everything around you. You can express your emotions, crying, laughing... anything. At anytime you feel overwhelmed or panicked, you could jump out of the hypnosis yourself. What you will be recalling or visualizing will be directed by T (though you have full control of it) and will be part of the recovery plan your T has planned. Your T will have a plan and likely share that with you, for each session.

I've found having sessions taped wasn't of use after the session. Partly because I recalled everything from the session, but also the benefit was already made in the session.