Has anyone here been hypnotized? and was it for real?

[nellypope]

Can you describe what it was like?

[boxtops]

I've had hynotherapy as a medical treatment, but that's not at all the same as being hypnotised by someone like Derren Brown - not sure which one you are thinking of.

[nellypope]

Thanks Boxtops! Well I was thinking, if you were at a Paul McKenna show (or similar) and someone went to all the trouble (the routine) of hypnotizing you, wouldn't it just be polite to "pretend"? So what I would like to know is, when they say "....and sleep" do you? Do people really have no memory of barking like a dog etc :-)

[nellypope]

. . . by the way BoxTops, did you find it worked? (I think I am more likely to trust in medical hypnotherapy)

[AlBags]

4Get hypnotizes me.

[Woody23]

I was hypnotised on stage once. Weird experience, knew what I was doing but couldn't stop myself... felt confident, no inhibitions.

[nellypope]

Woody, were you conscious that you were behaving strangely, or did you just find you could do "strange things" in front of people without inhibitions?

[Dris]

I was hypnotised to try and overcome an anxiety condition.
Given that part of my anxiety was lack of control hypnosis perhaps wasnt the best thing for me.
However in saying that I was astounded that I did go under by the count of ten -I was aware of an orange aura and was perfectly aware of my surroundings and the sooting voice.I can see how it works but I was left with a banging sore head and wouldnt do it again.
Wasnt the best treatment for my condition but I wouldnt knock it.

t

[nellypope]

sorry think you might have already answered that!! ;-) did you remember fully afterwards?

[Dris]

Was that to me nellypope?

[nellypope]

Wow Dris! you see I was hypnotized once, by a professional pyschologist working on research for Oxford University (so you'd think he's be good) it was under psychotheraputic conditions too. But I have to admit, I pretended, and I would have thought that he would have been able to tell, but he didn't, that's not to say I don't believe in it, I just feel a little cheated :-(

[boxtops]

nelly, yes it worked, extremely well - like Dris mine was for anxiety symptoms too. It was a very soothing experience, not at all scary, but you have to trust your therapist. In the relaxed state you are kind of fully awake and aware what's going on, but also not - very relaxed, like just before you go to sleep. It means that suggestions to improve your state of mind can be suggested to you whiel you are relaxed and receptive. Yes it works. I asked my therapist once what would happen if for instance there was a fire alarm when I was "out", or if something happened to him so he couldn't rouse me, and he said "well you'd just wake yourself up, you are not unconscious" - so you are, as it were, with it but not with it. I think the difference with the stage hypnotist is that people are often asked to do things they wouldn't normally do, and don't remember anything - I can remember lots about being under hypnotherapy.

[Woody23]

Nelly. I did remember afterwards - and still do 15yrs later!! Memory much clearer about that than about many things since! Makes you think about the power of the mind.

[nellypope]

One interesting fact I was told, is that they can use Hypnotherapy for a considerable amount of surgical procedures and aspects of surgery and medicine, but NOT for childbirth! I would have tried anything at the birth of my daughter, and could have kissed the anaesthetist!!!

Thanks everyone! I just wish I had had a more profound experience being hypnotized!

[boxtops]

I used to know know someone who was hypnotised when she was at the dentist. She used to have general anaesthtics because she was so terrified, then when they stopped that and said she could only have that done in hospital with an anaesthetist, she took to a dentist who hypnotised patients before he drilled...

[Dris]

My mum had my brother who is now 49 under self hypnosis.She had no pain relief and she was trained beforehand so when the labour set in she was able to self hynotise -amazing !!

[ttfn]

Yes I have and as boxy says I knew I wasn't unconscious and was aware of the passing road traffic. When the hypnosis was over I had never felt so well and rested in my life. Rejuvenated didn't cover it - I could have gone straight out and swum the Channel or climbed Ben Nevis

[granny grump]

I was hypnotised on stage once. I think that the hypnotist knew who he could put under and who he couldn't because he sent some of the volunteers back. I went under but only so far and he couldn't make me do the silly things he got the other's to do. But I didn't move the whole hour he was on I just sat upright on a chair and didn't move once.

Granddad said it was the cheapest night he'd had as he didn't have to buy me a drink.

I felt lovely and relaxed after wards

[Greedyfly]

I too have been hypnotized, mine was to reduce stress and calm anger. I can honestly can say it was a little weird, I don't remember much about the sessions aside from waking up calm. It definately helped with the anger (I had a really bad temper). I think it must have been around 6/7 years ago and if I am honest my anger isn't 'fixed' completely but I am so much calmer in general. I would definately encourage someone to go. In terms of just for fun, my mum saw Paul Mckenna at a show and he tried and failed to hypnotize her?!