Image via WikipediaHow does hypnosis help an individual stop smoking?
Hypnosis is a state of hyperawareness. It is exactly the opposite of sleep. This is not fully understood by the public. In a hypnotic trance, your ability to focus attention is freed from distractions. By helping a person mobilize this extraordinary power of concentration, hypnotists enable their subjects to bring their will to bear on a single, clear goal, in this case, nonsmoking.
Does it work for everyone?
No. About 30% of the population cannot be hypnotized at all. Of the remaining 70%, 15 % are very hypnotizable and 15 % are capable only of light trances. The rest fall somewhere in between.
How do you know if a person can be hypnotized?
Over the years, some reliable indicators have been discovered. The most accurate one is the eye-roll sign. Have someone observe you. First, gaze straight ahead. Then, roll your yes up and into your eyelids. The further upward the eyes move, the more hypnotizable you probably are.
What happens when a person goes to a hypnotist?
It’s a single, 45-minute session. First, we give tests to determine hypnotizability. We take a personal history to determine that the patient possesses reasonable mental health. The technique won’t work on people with major personality disorders because they have too much difficulty concentrating. About half an hour is devoted to the treatment itself.
What does the treatment consist of?
In the most general terms, it involves the implantation of a set of premises in the psyche. These are positive expressions of the will to protect the body and to celebrate its wellbeing. It’s far more effective than dire don’t smoke warnings.
What s the success rate? Does it depend on how hypnotizable a subject is?
Surprisingly, no. In the short term, about 90% of the high-trance types will stop. But these people are very sensitive to their surroundings. For example, if you live alone, receive little support for your effort, or associate mainly with smokers, it’s likely that you will backslide. People on the lower end of the hypnotizability scale who stop in the short run are more likely to stop forever. All told, about one out of three hypnotizable people quits completely. They never smoke again after the session. It’s a lower rate than many claims you read about, but it’s a good result. Remember, these are hard-core smokers who have repeatedly tried to quit and have failed.
How can an individual find a reputable hypnotist?
Go to someone with medical training, ideally a psychiatrist or psychologist with some experience in other behavior-modification techniques.
Can people use hypnosis to reduce smoking?
You either smoke or you don’t. It’s a life-or- death issue. You cannot negotiate it.
Source: Herbert Spiegel, M.D., a pioneer in the use of hypnosis to break self-destructive habits. A former three pack-per-day smoker, he teaches psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York 10027.
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