Clinical hypnosis: what is it and how does it work?

All the keys to understand this therapeutic tool.

Now that television programs that perform live "hypnosis" are on everyone's lips, it is time for psychologists to raise their voices. Throughout this article I will try to demolish the myths and erroneous beliefs that create this type of programs.. In addition, we will see in which clinical settings its use is beneficial.

The hypnosis that we psychologists perform in consultation is called clinical hypnosis.. Using it as an emotional disinhibitor, it is defined as the use of suggestion to provoke changes in the cognitive, physiological, emotional and behavioral processes of the patient. Clinical hypnosis is a facilitator of therapeutic change; it will always, always, be accompanied by other treatment techniques, it will be included in a therapeutic package tailored to the patient and the problem in question.

Myths and erroneous beliefs

Let's review some false beliefs about clinical hypnosis.

1. "With hypnosis I will lose consciousness".

You will never lose consciousness. The hypnotized patient actively participates in the process.. Having to concentrate on the suggestions that the therapist is saying, imagining and getting emotionally involved in them. If at any moment the patient loses consciousness, it is simply that he/she has fallen asleep.

2. "If you hypnotize me I will tell you everything, I will not be able to lie to you".

False. As in any other psychological technique, the patient can lie, it does not serve to bring out the truth. With hypnosis, cognitive flexibility is promoted.As long as the patient lets himself go, things will happen; if he does not let himself go, nothing remarkable will happen. The important point for the patient not to lie to us and to tell us the truth, as in any treatment, will be the trust and therapeutic relationship that we have established with the patient.

3. "Hypnotists have special powers".

Absolutely not, expert hypnosis therapists are not born with a special power under the full moon.. A good hypnotist, like a good therapist, applies the right techniques at the right time, adapting everything to the patient's reality. As in any relaxation technique, the important thing here will be the management of the voice.

4. "When you hypnotize me I will do everything you ask me to do, whether I want to or not, I will lose control of what I do".

Of course this is false, as we have commented before, hypnosis is about letting yourself go, if you don't let yourself go there is no hypnosis.. The patient will let himself be influenced by the hypnotic suggestions up to the limit that they themselves consider opportune. As well as starting the process, if the patient wants, he/she can finish it.

Areas of application of clinical hypnosis

In which cases and areas is it possible to apply this therapeutic tool?

1. Pain management

The use of hypnosis both in acute pain and chronic pain is undoubtedly the clinical field par excellence of hypnosis.

Hypnotic analgesia techniques help the patient not to pay as much attention, as they usually do, to the area that hurts. It also helps to implant the idea that they can manage and modulate the intensity of the pain themselves. It also favors the reinterpretation of painful sensations, making them more tolerable and less disabling. Therefore, hypnosis favors the idea that the patient can exercise some control and regulation over his or her pain.

2. Anxiety management

In addition to all the existing types of relaxation for the management of anxiety, The efficacy of clinical hypnosis in anxiety disorders such as specific phobias (e.g., fear of dogs or fear of flying), panic disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia is remarkable. (for example, fear of dogs or fear of flying), panic disorder, agoraphobia and social phobia. The relationship between the degree of suggestibility (the more suggestible you are, the better hypnosis will help you) and anxiety is bidirectional, so the use of this technique will be very beneficial.

3. Psychophysiological disorders

We include in these disorders those physical alterations that are influenced by psychological factors. We are talking about cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological, etc. disorders.... etc. Hypnosis as a complementary technique can help reduce symptoms through suggestion and reduce the overall stress level of the patient through relaxation. In addition, they favor the strategies for the coping of that stress.

4. Trauma

Clinical hypnosis facilitates access to the sequence of traumatic memories, promoting exposure and coping with these memories in a progressive manner.

These are some of the uses and applications of clinical hypnosis in the field of Psychology. Please, let's not fall into cheap tricks like those shown in television programs. Hypnosis will always be performed by a psychologist or medical expert within a therapeutic package..