COMMON FALLACIES AND FACTS

The following represents some of the more common fallacies or misconceptions about hypnosis. They came about as a result of erroneous impressions conveyed to the public via sensational stage demonstrations, over the radio and on television, also novels and articles have been written about hypnosis that contains inaccurate information.

Hopefully this will answer some of the questions you might have.

THE FALLACY: A hypnotist is a person gifted with unusual Svengaii-like or tedious magic power.

THE FACT: Hypnotists do not possess any unusual or mystical powers, just skill. The power actually lies with the subject. The hypnotist is merely a person who knows the science and art of effective suggestion and teaches the subject how to bring about or self-induce the hypnotic state.

THE FALLACY: A person in a hypnotic state may not be easily awakened may remain in that state for a long time.

THE FACT: Hypnosis is a natural state of mind. It is similar to becoming completely absorbed in a movie or a book and it represents a concentration of attention. A person will come out of this when they are ready. There has never been a case in which the subject did not return to the waking state.

THE FALLACY: Hypnosis affects a cure in just one or two sessions

THE FACT: In many instances one or two sessions of hypnosis may enable a person to break a habit. In the majority of cases, however, it requires a number of sessions before a favorable result is obtained.

THE FALLACY: Many people cannot be hypnotized.

THE FACT: The best subject is the person who has a definite reason or motivation for wanting to be hypnotized. The ability to be hypnotized successfully lies within you. It is dependent upon your ability to overcome your resistance to hypnosis. This resistance may be conscious or unconscious.

THE FALLACY: Under hypnosis you are apt to do anything good or bad -- you are like a slave who obeys his or her master automatically, irrespective of what you are told to do.

THE FACT: Under hypnosis, the person's moral and ethical code can never be violated by suggestion alone.

THE FALLACY: Hypnosis means being put to sleep and not being aware of surroundings.

THE FACT: Hypnosis does not mean failing asleep. Under hypnosis, the subject is deeply relaxed and internal awareness is increased. If the subject does fall asleep, it is because the person was completely relaxed and wanted to sleep; he or she will ultimately awaken refreshed.

THE FALLACY: A person bas to be put into a deep state of hypnosis before he or she can be helped.

THE FACT: You need not be in a deep state of hypnosis to benefit from hypnosis. Many excellent results are being obtained utilizing the beneficial suggestible state of light induction.

THE FALLACY: Persons who are easily hypnotized are weak-willed.

THE FACT: The more intelligent and imaginative the person is, the easier it is for that person to experience hypnosis. The best hypnotic subjects are people who have excellent memories, can express emotions easily, don't lose their train of thought easily, are not overly critical, are intelligent, and who can visualize or imagine easily. Children make excellent subjects.

Hypnotherapy can be use for many other things,

the possibilities are unlimited.