Get hypnotised, not stressed

When was the last time you came home smiling after a hard day’s work? Our guess is, you don’t even remember. And that’s because today, people’s lives are overpowered by stress. If this is true for you, try hypnotherapy.

“Contrary to popular belief, hypnotherapy is not as intrusive as people think,” says Prof. Jacob Raju, clinical hypnotherapist and director, Bangalore Hypnosis Institute. “In modern hypnotherapy, the client and therapist engage in normal conversation and there is no uneasiness between the two. In fact, therapists don’t ask any embarrassing or intrusive questions,” he adds.

Hypnotherapy basically refers to the process by which a person is put in a trance-like state. “The state of trance helps one stay focused, alert and relaxed,” says Raju.

Hypnotherapy is believed to help people address an issue more objectively, without being blinded by emotions. Raju cites the example of 30-year-old Rashmi (name changed). Rashmi had sought his consultation a few months ago, as she was going through  marital problems. Her husband was having an extra-marital affair and this had affected her work and life, in general.

“With a few hypnotherapy sessions, I helped her address the issue without getting emotional. After that, she was able to weigh her options better,” he explains.

Hypnotherapy, he says, “deals with subconscious emotions, keeping the  current situation in mind.” Raju explains that regret, disappointment, grief are past-oriented emotions, and emotions like stress, anxiety, fear are future-oriented. “The emotions that one experiences in the present are: joy, confidence, relaxation etc,” he says. And since hypnotherapy keeps people focused on the present, it helps people think more objectively.

In a hypnotised state, one also becomes more open to suggestions and advice. “We don’t use any instruments or devices to put a person in that state. Voice is the only guiding force. The therapist’s voice and tone is crucial to hypnotherapy,” says Raju.

It works, because...
The subconscious mind is a lot more powerful than the conscious mind. It can be called a storehouse of one’s habits, intentions, beliefs, thoughts etc. In hypnotherapy, the therapist gains access to his client’s subconscious, making him more susceptible to positive changes and suggestions. “The obstacles in one’s subconscious mind makes it impossible for one to achieve his/her goals.  Through hypnotherapy, the therapist removes these obstacles and takes the clients closer to his/her goals,” explains  Raju. Apart from relationship issues and work-related stress, hypnotherapy is also good if one wants to get rid of a particular habit such as nail biting, alcoholism or smoking.

You can use it for...
Hypnotherapy is often used to modify a subject’s behaviour, emotional content and attitudes; in addition, to dysfunctional habits, anxiety, stress-related illness, pain management, and personal development. “Anxiety, stress, habits, relationship problems, are a few examples,” says Raju. Although hypnotherapy is considered to be devoid of any side-effects, one should be sure of why he/she is seeking treatment.

For instance, if a person has a negative attitude towards the  things around him/her, one will have to deal with that before seeking hypnotherapy. Otherwise, “the process of hypnosis can lead to deepening the negative belief in that person,” cautions Raju.