Hypnosis Myth #5: “I’ll End Up Clucking Like A Chicken”
At my Clinical Hypnotherapy Cardiff practice, I’ve listened to a lot of questions about the misconceptions about hypnosis over the years. There are some fascinating historical reasons why some of these exist in the first place!
What comes to mind when you think of “hypnosis”? Is it a comedian saying, “Look into my eyes?” Or an archaic image of a man holding a shiny coin, medallion or pocket watch? Perhaps he’s “hooked” a helpless individual, frozen like a statue …
If that comes to mind for you, you’re not alone.
I’ve been asked on more than one occasion if hypnosis can or I could make anyone cluck like a chicken. I usually smile and reply, “Why would I want to do that?”
The good news is that this is a myth that comes – in large part – from stage hypnosis. In fact many of the first practitioner of ‘hypnosis’, such as Anton Mesmer, were also very “theatrical”. (We get the word “mesmerism” from him). Mesmer liked to wear a wizard’s hat, carry a “wand” and pretend he was doing magic or tapping into what he termed “animal magnetism.” It would have been quite something to behold!
In fact, way back hypnosis was proven to be incredibly helpful with anaesthesia. Dr James Esdaile (1808–1859), an assistant surgeon in India, used hypnosis to help with over 400 operations, including amputations. His work became somewhat legendary, partly because there were no reported deaths from these procedures or complications with infection. Even today, this in enviable track record!
However, the advent of Chloroform as the first medical anaesthetic meant that any interest in Esdaile’s work was short-lived.
Hypnosis fell into the dark ages for some time, and it was in large part the travelling tinkers who would perform stage shows that kept the practice of hypnosis going…so that today, hypnotherapy is studied and proven to be effective in a wide range of problems.
Today the tide is changing.
Have you noticed that hypnotism shows are rarely seen on TV these days? Hypnosis appears now in the guise of some of the things that it is useful for, including pain relief, anesthesia, increased confidence and overcoming fears and phobias with hypnotherapy. a recent BBC documentary looked at some of these uses and concluded it was undoubtedly effective.
Don’t get me wrong.
You can still take in a hypnosis stage show if you like, although I am guessing if you are reading this that you ware probably a bit more discerning!
In its clinical setting, hypnotherapy and trance are totally different to stage show hypnosis, and much more powerful. You can use an amplified form of concentration to focus on what is most important to you, and even communicate with your subconscious mind. It’s very much up to you to allow this process to happen, but a good hypnotist can show you the way!
Most folk are surprised to know that they are completely in control in hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis is about empowering you to develop the skills you want. We’ll look at some of the ways hypnosis can help you over the coming weeks.
So, you won’t end up clucking like a chicken. Instead, Clinical Hypnotherapy can actually help you help a person get back in the driving seat with a wide range of problems.
So, you’ve discovered hypnosis is safe, puts you back in control so in the the next article, we need to dispel Hypnosis Myth #6: “The subconscious is scary”.
P.S. If you’re curious about hypnosis Click here to pick up a free hypnotherapy recording now!