Hypnosis/self-hypnosis

[VDWngr1355]

People with PTSD are hard to hypnotize. The only reason I was able to because I ended up completely dissociated the first session. So my subconscious was already in full sign and basically dissociation is a form of hypnotism.

If I don't dissociate as much as I do, I highly doubt I would have relaxed enough to be hypnotized. And actually since the hypnotherapy, the dissociation has lessened a lot because the hypnotherapist worked a lot with making my subconscious feel safe.

@Britt--during the hypnotherapy session how long was the actually session? And did it feel that long? When the hypnotherapist ended the session did you feel tired at all?

 

[Britt.f7]

during the hypnotherapy session how long was the actually session? And did it feel that long? When the hypnotherapist ended the session did you feel tired at all?

It felt as long as it normally does. I wasn't tired. I do remember thinking at the time that I didn't feel under and trying to tell myself to just relax and feel it.

 

[saffy]

I read a book ages ago about self hypnosis and for what I understand the concept is based on deep relaxation, meditation and positive self talk.

I always believe that if you tell yourself often enough then you start to beleive it. By going into deep relaxation and completely emptying my mind it allows focused positve thoughts to only be there. By using this method the message becomes ingrained.

The only near thing I got to it was years ago when I used this method to give up smoking. Also everytime I was offered or wanted a cigarette I kept telling myself that it tastes horrible it makes me feel sick. Eventually even the thought of having one put me off.

I think it might be effective in certain circumstances and used for specific reasons. How to apply this to sufferers of PTSD I suppose it might help with negative irrational thought processes? But then I am no expert :)

Best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[VDWngr1355]

It felt as long as it normally does. I wasn't tired. I do remember thinking at the time that I didn't feel under and trying to tell myself to just relax and feel it.

Britt--Yeah, than it sounds like you might not have been hypnotized. Usually there is a time distortion when you are. An hour can pass and it only feels like 5 minutes has gone by.



When I was under hypnosis most of the time I could hear what the therapist was saying most of the time. Sometimes there would be flashes of white light, but most of the time I wouldn't see anything. Although, if the therapist did say something my brain didn't agree with I remember hearing in my own head, "No, No, No."

 

[LizardViolet]

I have a therapist who uses hypnosis, and she's taught me to do self hypnosis. But I'm a supporter, not a sufferer. My therapist works with people who have experienced trauma, so she has helped me a lot in gaining insight into what is going on with my bf. When she works with survivors of trauma, her approach is somewhat different -- she hasn't gone into it much, but for example she has said she would not ask someone with ptsd to close their eyes.

One thing I found when I started to work with her was that it can be hard to compartmentalize what's in your brain. I went to her with the intention of working on one issue, and other issues (which were more serious) came up right away. So if you're a person with ptsd who wants to use hypnosis to quit smoking, I wouldn't recommend just doing self hypnosis on your own, nor would I recommend going to a hypnotherapist and not disclosing the fact that you have experienced trauma. Stuff is very likely to come up.

 

[saffy]

not disclosing the fact that you have experienced trauma. Stuff is very likely to come up.

Hi LizardViolet

That interesting. I went to a friends the other day who is suppose to be taking a 13 week hypnosis for smoking course. She is going to be the one to hypnotise.
Interestingly, I said what about people with ptsd or other mental issues how is a 13 week hypnosis course going to teach you how to deal or understand that? I also asked her how she would recognise why the person is smoking, what else it is hiding and she could answer either question and yet thinks after 13 weeks she will be 'qualified' to go out and hypnotise people to stop smoking. mmmmmm

I found this worrying.

best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[VDWngr1355]

I agree with LizardViolet-- you need to disclose a little bit of your trauma to the hypnotherapist/psychologist. You don't need to tell them everything but just so they have a heads up that they are working with someone with PTSD....

Saffy----that is scary. Which is why when people look into any therapies they need to see how long the person studied whatever courses or qualifications for that type of therapy. No way would I go to someone with only a 13 week course under their belt to hypnotize me for any reason.