does hypnosis work ? im a critic

[goldenbolls]

i have often thought about getting therapy via hypnosis, i would like to know if anyone has had it before, i am a critic and ive been to a show once were there were 10 of us on stage around 8 were totally hypnotised while i definately wasnt, i am a binge drinker and love a pint only at weekeneds but i want to stop and get myself back to the man i used to be, happy outgoing and full of life. hypnosis or C.B.T ? would love to hear from people who have had either. i should mention i had acupucture before that was a total waste of time and money.

thanks

[mrs.chappie]

So you didn't regret it Bobbs?

[Bobbisox]

No, not at all, it was good entertainment value I am told...:-)

[mrs.chappie]

Don't know if I could go through with that Bobbs.....I'm a bit shy and retiring, tha knows. :o)

[Bobbisox]

you're doing a one to one though, aren't you?

[boxtops]

Don't confuse the stage hypnotists with any sort of qualified hypnotherapists - it's a different kettle of fish altogether. I had several sessions years ago, and it was excellent, I'd do it again. You don't lose consciousness but you are in a relaxed state so receptive to suggestion about whatever it is you are going for. I remember asking my therapist what would happen if the fire alarm rang during treatment - he said he would just tell me to wake up and get off the counch quickly!
Go for hypnotherapy - it's well worth it, but you must go with an open mind and not expecting it to be a flop. Be positive that it IS going to make you want to make the change, but you have to want the change and go with it.

[boxtops]

PS - what bobbisox is describing ISN'T hypnotherapy - sounds a laught but it's not at all the same thing!

[Bobbisox]

you are right boxy, I was hypnotized but it was stage managed

[mrs.chappie]

Ah, thanks Boxy. Don't like the idea of clucking like a chicken every time the hubby tells me tea's ready. :o)

Bobbs, yes, it is a one to one.

[Bobbisox]

you will be fine and if it is what you want, go for it
btw, what's wrong with clucking like a chicken when he wants his tea???
Is this unusual?

[mrs.chappie]

One thing that I find interesting......the hypnotherapist has told me that I'll sleep like a log after listening to a CD that he will give me.

Now I haven't slept like a log for many years as I have a breathing problem when I lie down. I'm in and out of bed like a yo-yo. Will he be able to persuade me to believe that I don't have a breathing problem?

[Bobbisox]

I am not sure mrs c and I am not equipped to give you an answer to that, only someone with either Hypnosis experience can

[Old_Geezer]

You could try CBT or Hypnosis. Pick one, try it, and if you have success then great, otherwise try the other.

You seem a little skeptical about hypnosis because the stage show you went to didn't result in you being hypnotised. Well you have to want to experience it for it to work. If you were not in the right frame of mind it makes things difficult for the hypnotist. Be aware the hypnotist has no mental superpower to take you over. Only one person can hypnotise you, and that is yourself. All the hypnotist can do is set the environment and give you helpful suggestions that you can chose to respond to or not. Even if consciously you think you want to be hypnotised you may have doubts you aren't consciously aware of about 'letting go' like that. But a therapeutic session is going to be less stressful than a stage appearance, where the suggestion is that you may be encouraged to act the fool for the entertainment of others.

You ask if it works, like many other treatments it can do, but doesn't have a 100% success rate. Ultimately it can only bolster what you already want to do. Along the line of giving you more willpower maybe. But if you decide not to change, maybe because you don't see why you should deprive yourself of a night on the booze, then you won't. It isn't a panacea for all ills, merely a helping hand.