A lot of our mental and emotional problems can come from things that are trapped in our subconscious. In our daily lives we are consumed with physical survival, socializing and getting through routine tasks so that we might not be very connected to our inner mind. Therapies like hypnosis and sensory deprivation help awaken the subconscious as we disconnect from our physical bodies and access a deeper part of ourselves.
Both hypnosis and sensory deprivation can be useful as alternative therapies for different kinds of mental health issues because they each uncover deep emotional problems that need to be addressed. In these types of therapies the person may remember traumatic events, recall vivid childhood memories or access the beginning of some of their emotional issues. The state of being deeply relaxed that a person experiences in hypnosis or sensory deprivation helps bring deep emotional wounds to the surface so that they can resolve things they have never fully addressed.
When someone attends a therapy session for hypnosis they will most likely have some interaction with the therapist who helps guide them through the process. Sensory deprivation is about isolation from sound, sight and feeling so the person will most likely not interact with a therapist until after their experience is over. Both types of therapies help to uncover memories and feelings that can be crucial to recovery from mental health problems.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis therapy, also known as hypnotherapy, is used to treat anxiety, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, pain management, stress reduction, and self-confidence improvement. This therapy utilizes hypnosis to help individuals overcome various challenges and improve their well-being. It can be used to promote overall wellness and achieve personal goals such as quitting smoking or improving one’s self-esteem. This technique involves guiding an individual into a deeply relaxed state, known as a trance, in which their attention is focused and their subconscious mind becomes more open to suggestions and positive changes.
How Hypnosis Therapy Works
During a hypnosis session, a patient is not necessarily forcibly hypnotized by the person leading the therapy. Instead, the therapist helps guide and coach an individual so that they can start to hypnotize themselves into a deeply relaxed state. When a person goes into hypnosis, their body is often relaxed and sleepy but mentally they are in a hyper-aware and attentive state.
The therapist is usually highly trained and understands how to perform hypnosis safely for patients dealing with all kinds of different mental health issues. They understand how to use hypnosis as a way to treat and heal mental illness. They help the patient use visualization and verbal repetition to induce a hypnotic state that will bring up key issues they need to work on.
Hypnosis can be used to treat all kinds of different conditions including physical health problems, substance abuse and mental health problems. Although it may not necessarily cure any of these issues it can bring to light key memories, events and feelings from the past that may have contributed to these issues. Hypnosis also induces a highly suggestible state so a therapist can provide the patient with positive affirmations or other tools that can help reduce the symptoms of their problem.
Hypnosis Therapy Techniques
Hypnotherapy employs a variety of techniques to assist individuals in making changes and addressing specific issues.
Hypnotherapy uses various techniques to facilitate therapeutic changes and address specific issues. The following are some common techniques:
Induction
This process uses visualization techniques, guided imagery, and suggestion techniques to assist the individual in achieving a state of relaxation and focus, which allows the therapist to focus directly on the subconscious mind. During the post-hypnotic suggestion session, the hypnotherapist may reinforce the changes made in the session.
Deepening
This technique is employed when the individual is in a trance state which enhance the level of relaxation and receptivity. Treatment involves suggestions for further relaxation, counting down, or visualizations that can assist the patient in understanding their own behavior and the impact this has on their relationships.
Direct Suggestion
It involves a hypnotherapist giving explicit instructions to the patient to perform certain actions to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome, such as reducing anxiety, eliminating phobias, or building healthy habits. The use of this technique can sometimes be considered an unethical practice due to the hypnotist’s control over the patient’s thoughts and behaviors.
Metaphor and Storytelling
It is an extremely powerful tool that is used by hypnotherapists to convey ideas and concepts to the subconscious mind of their patients. When presented in the form of a story or metaphor, a hypnotist can tap into the unconscious emotions and memories of the patient, which can facilitate a deeper understanding of the therapeutic suggestions and provide an understanding of the problem.
Anchoring
The aim of this technique is to associate the desired state or behavior with an external stimulus such as a word, gesture, or object. By using hypnosis, the therapist assists the individual in establishing and strengthening this association, which allows him or her to access the desired state or behavior by simply triggering the anchor.
What are the benefits of Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy has proven beneficial in the following areas:
Reduce stress and anxiety:Through hypnotherapy a person can induce a state of deep relaxation that allows them to better manage their feelings and reactions to stressful situations.
Quit smoking: Hypnotherapy assists individuals in replacing bad habits with healthier and more enjoyable ones. The program assists smokers in identifying potential triggers and developing new coping strategies.
Weight management: By using hypnotherapy, you can address the underlying issues keeping you from reaching your ideal weight and help you develop healthy eating habits, manage cravings, and cultivate a positive body image.
Pain management: By combining hypnosis with other treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or massage, hypnosis can help manage pain and reduce the severity of symptoms. It helps to reduce chronic pain, manage discomfort and improve overall well-being.
Boost self-confidence: The use of hypnotherapy can assist individuals in recognizing their own strengths and potential as well as overcoming self-doubt, strengthening their self-esteem, and developing positive outlooks on life.
Understanding Sensory Deprivation
People spend time in sensory deprivation tanks or “float tanks” either for mental and physical therapy or simply as a way to relax and recharge. A sensory deprivation session usually takes place in a dark, soundproof tank filled with a few feet of salt water. With no light, complete silence and the body’s floatation due to the salt water it can lead to a very deep state of relaxation.
The process is known as sensory deprivation because it is designed to cut off all external stimuli which brings the person into a deep connection with their subconscious mind. Sensory deprivation can have a number of positive effects on the brain and body and in some cases it can cause a person to hallucinate during their session. It is thought to not only lead to a healthier state of mind but also to promote more creativity, imagination and intuition.
Studies have shown that sensory deprivation therapy has been effective at reducing people’s anxiety, lowering stress levels and improving mood in participants. It has been helpful treating patients who have generalized anxiety disorder and those with depression as well. It can also treat sleep difficulties, irritability and other symptoms that may be associated with anxiety or other mental health problems.
Sensory deprivation may not be a part of most treatment programs but it can be a useful supplement for people in recovery that want to get their mind and body into a more relaxed state. It may be helpful to talk to a therapist about the experiences you have in sensory deprivation tank and how they affected you. If you had certain memories, associations or feelings then your therapist can help you resolve and understand how they relate to your current issues.
Both hypnosis and sensory deprivation are not designed to cure any specific disease but they can be helpful when they are used in conjunction with regular talk therapy. Connecting with the subconscious can be crucial in recovery, especially for patients dealing with trauma or painful childhood memories. Finding ways to access deeper, hidden emotions can help patients release some of their pain and resolve mental roadblocks during recovery.
