What are the Benefits of Hypnotherapy, and how can you benefit from them? Hypnotherapy, which is also widely known as Hypnosis or Hypnotic suggestion. This type of therapy puts you in a trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration. Hypnosis should be done with the help of a therapist who will use verbal repetition and mental images. Under hypnosis, you are much calmer and more relaxed, allowing you to be more open to suggestions. Hypnosis could help you gain control over undesired behaviors or perhaps allow you to cope with anxiety or pain in a better way. It is important that you note that although you are more open to suggestions during hypnosis, you are still in control of your behavior. 

The Origins of Hypnotherapy

During the late 18th century, a German physician named Franz Mesmer developed mesmerism. This was due to his beliefs about the balance of magnetic power in our bodies. To do this, he used animal magnetism. A decade later, the concept of animal mesmerism was rejected as it had no scientific basis. 

Many clinicians were, however, fascinated by the fact that Mesmer did cure many symptoms in patients. A Scottish ophthalmologist named James Braid was a notable clinician who had followed Mesmer and coined the word ‘hypnosis.’ The word ‘hypnosis’ originated from the Greek word for ‘sleep.’ It was proven at a later time by modern science that hypnosis is not related to sleep, although they have one thing in common; the enhancement of our external focus. 

More about Hypnotherapy!

During the mid-19th century, an Austrian Physician named Josef Breuer had attention drawn to his work for his treatment of Anna. O. Anna. O had been diagnosed with hysteria, and it had been treated by Breuer by the use of suggestive hypnosis to trigger Anna’s childhood emotions, ultimately resulting in the reduction of her symptoms. 

Milton Erickson is an American psychiatrist as well as the most prominent figure in modern hypnosis. He was a master of using language in a creative manner in order to communicate with a patient’s unconsciousness. Unlike other clinicians back then, his focus was on helping patients release their symptoms by stopping their defense functions. His outstanding clinical successes were strongly embedded in other contemporary approaches, such as neuro-linguistic programming. His methods are known today as the Ericksonian Hypnosis. 

During the late 20th century, the Division 30 Society of Psychology Hypnosis was established by the American Psychological Society. Since this time, the science of hypnosis has been rigorously developed.  

The Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is often done to help patients cope with stress and anxiety. It may also be used to help reduce stress and anxiety before a medical procedure. 

Hypnotherapy has also been studied for conditions such as:

• Pain control
• Hot flashes 
• Behavior change
• Cancer treatment side effects
• Mental Health conditions

Short Term Benefits

Hypnotherapy has some amazing short-term benefits. By this, we mean that Hypnotherapy could help you manage certain anxiety triggers or even various symptoms in the short term. 

Benefits of Hypnotherapy can help with:

• Identifying various Trauma stressors: If you experienced trauma as a child or even adult, hypnotherapy could help you identify the trauma that is causing stress or anxiety, bringing clarity to help you manage it. 
• Managing Chronic Pain: Chronic pain can be dealt with and managed with Hypnotherapy. Cancer patients undergoing chemo are often provided with hypnotherapy in order to help them handle the negative symptoms of the chemo. 
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: IBS, or Irritable bowel syndrome, has been known to support hypnotherapy as a treatment. The hypnosis is believed to help relieve symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea as well as bloating. 

Long Term Benefits

There are not only short-term but long-term benefits to hypnotherapy as well. Hypnotherapy is no cure, but it does help individuals manage certain situations as well as break unwanted habits. 

In the long run, hypnotherapy can help with:

• Managing various trauma: Hypnotherapy can not only help identify trauma but help with the management of that trauma as well. When hypnotherapy takes place, you are given the opportunity to work through your trauma in a calm and safe environment with a trained professional ready to help when needed. 
• Managing PTSD, ADHD, and Anxiety: Mental health conditions can be treated with hypnosis, including phobias and post-traumatic stress disorders. 
• Quitting Smoking: Hypnotherapy has been known to help individuals undergo behavioral changes such as quitting smoking or quitting other bad habits.  
• Sleeping better: Sleep is extremely important for your mental and physical health. With the help of hypnotherapy, a full night’s rest is not that far out of reach. 
• Pain Control: Many people experience great relief from pain after undergoing hypnotherapy. This type of therapy helps you control your pain and manage it in a healthy way. 

Finding a Hypnotherapist

Finding a good hypnotherapist is extremely important for the treatment to be effective. Performing hypnotherapy is not as simple as it may seem therefore having a certified hypnotherapist is imperative. 

Ultimately, the ideal hypnotherapist should have:

• Training in the field of Psychology, Medicine, or Social work.
• Licensed in their field with postgraduate training. 
• Variety of training in hypnosis from accredited schools. 
• Belong to a professional association or organization such as the hypnotherapy association. 
• Been in practice for longer than six months. 
• Affordable but not ridiculously cheap fees or covered by insurance. 

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions are Needed

To get the best Benefits of Hypnotherapy: The number of sessions you may have in order to make a lasting change in an individual varies. The average number of sessions, however, ranges between 15-20 sessions. It is possible for individuals to be helped with less or more, depending on their individual needs and their reasons for undergoing hypnotherapy. 

Possible Risks or Side Effects of Hypnotherapy

Benefits of Hypnotherapy: With all good things, there are some risks or side effects. These risks are, however, not necessarily a deal breaker. When hypnosis is conducted by a trained therapist or healthcare professional, it is considered a safe, complementary, and alternative medical treatment. For persons with severe mental illness, hypnosis may not be appropriate. 

Although adverse reactions to hypnosis are rare, they can occur. These reactions include:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or Distress
• Creation of False memories

One Session Away: Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is an effective alternative treatment for helping people cope with pain, stress, and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often first in line with treatments for these conditions. Hypnosis may also be used to help in areas such as quitting smoking or losing weight. Hypnotherapy is not for everyone, although it has shown to have great benefits without needing medical treatment.