Seven common myths about hypnosis
Mind control, getting stuck, revealing secrets: we separate stage-show myths from the reality of hypnotherapy.
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Few therapies are as misunderstood as hypnotherapy. Much of what people "know" about hypnosis comes from films, novels and stage shows, where it's used for drama or laughs. Those images can put people off trying something that might help them. Below are seven common myths about hypnosis, each with a straight answer about what clinical hypnotherapy is really like.
Where do myths about hypnosis come from?
Most myths come from entertainment rather than therapy. Stage hypnotists choose enthusiastic volunteers and make the results look dramatic, while films often show hypnosis as a kind of mind control. Neither has much in common with a quiet hypnotherapy session, where the aim is to help you relax and work towards a goal you've chosen yourself.
The myths matter because they can stop people asking for help. Someone with a fear of flying or a habit they'd like to break might avoid hypnotherapy altogether, simply because they're worried about losing control or being made to look silly. Knowing what really happens makes it much easier to decide whether it's right for you.
1. Can a hypnotist control your mind?
No, a hypnotist can't control your mind. In hypnotherapy you stay in control throughout, and you can't be made to do or say anything that goes against your values. You can accept or ignore any suggestion, in the same way you might ignore advice that doesn't suit you in everyday life.
The practitioner's role is to guide you, not to command you. In fact, hypnotherapy depends on your cooperation, so if you don't want to go along with something, you simply won't.
2. Is hypnosis the same as being asleep?
Hypnosis is not sleep. Most people stay aware of what's being said and of their surroundings, even when they feel deeply relaxed. You might hear a car outside or notice a clock ticking, and that's perfectly normal.
Some people drift close to sleep because they're so comfortable, but that's simply relaxation. It doesn't mean the session hasn't worked, and you can still open your eyes and talk whenever you want.
3. Could you get stuck in hypnosis?
You can't get stuck in hypnosis. It's a natural state that most of us drift in and out of every day, for example when we're absorbed in a film or driving a familiar route on autopilot. If the practitioner stopped talking, you would simply open your eyes when you were ready, or doze for a few minutes and wake up naturally.
At the end of a session, you're guided back to full alertness, usually by counting up. Most people feel relaxed and slightly light-headed for a minute or two, then completely normal.
4. Can only weak-minded people be hypnotised?
Being responsive to hypnosis has nothing to do with being weak or gullible. It's more about your ability to concentrate, use your imagination and feel comfortable with the process. People who enjoy getting lost in a book or a piece of music often find hypnosis comes easily.
Some people relax more readily than others, and that's fine. Feeling at ease with your practitioner usually makes a bigger difference than any personality trait.
5. Will you reveal your secrets under hypnosis?
You won't reveal anything you don't want to share. Hypnosis doesn't work like a truth serum, and you stay able to choose what you say. If a question feels too personal, you can decline to answer, just as you would in any other conversation.
Much of a hypnotherapy session doesn't involve you talking at all. You mostly listen and relax, and any discussion of personal matters happens in the conversation before and after, at a pace that suits you.
6. Is stage hypnosis the same as hypnotherapy?
Stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are very different things. Stage shows are entertainment, and the volunteers are usually outgoing people who are happy to play along in front of an audience. The performer's aim is to put on a good show.
Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is private, confidential and focused on your wellbeing. Everything that happens in the session is agreed with you beforehand, and nothing is designed to embarrass you.
7. Does hypnotherapy work instantly, every time?
No, hypnotherapy isn't magic, and it doesn't work instantly for everyone. Some people notice changes quickly, while for others change is gradual and builds over several sessions. Some find it isn't the right approach for them at all, and that's useful to know too.
Responsible practitioners won't promise guaranteed results. They'll talk honestly about what hypnotherapy might help with, and they'll suggest seeing your GP if something needs medical attention.
The reality is calmer and more ordinary than the myths, and that's a good thing.
So what is hypnotherapy really like?
In reality, hypnotherapy is a calm, collaborative process. A session starts with a conversation about what you'd like to change, followed by guided relaxation in a comfortable chair, and ends with time to talk about how it went. Many people describe it as feeling like a pleasant, deeply relaxing daydream.
If you'd like to know more, read our introduction to hypnotherapy or find out what happens in a first session. You can also book a free phone consultation with Sonya Hudson, our clinical hypnotherapist, and ask any questions of your own.
Written by the Simple Hypnotherapy team. This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for personalised medical advice.
