Understanding Hypnosis

                        By Dr. Fabiola M. Beron, Ph.D

Hypnosis and its uses in the practice of hypnotherapy is rapidly emerging as a highly effective science in solving the problems of people. It can be very beneficial in many cases as a therapy in itself. It is a valuable adjunct in psychotherapy and psychiatry.

Yet few therapeutic procedures are less understood, or more plagued by misconceptions and misunderstandings. Before considering what hypnosis is, perhaps it would be appropriate to establish what it is not!

Most hypnotherapists, on interviewing a new client, will ask the client what he/she thinks hypnosis is. Replies range from sleep, to unconsciousness, to surrender of mental powers and control, to magic, to voodoo. All are in error.

Hypnosis cannot be sleep. In most cases, subject is fully aware of communication and is able to respond on request either verbally or by signal. Nor is unconsciousness involved. A subject asked to make a specific movement will comply with the request unless it is objectionable, in which case there will be a refusal. There is no surrender of mind or control. A person who does not want to be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized or be induced to do or say anything, which violate personal integrity. There is neither magic nor voodoo involved.

Actually, hypnosis is better described than defined. It is often considered an altered state of consciousness featuring selective perception, a process in which the subject (who is in control) chooses to see only what is relevant to his task, blocking out everything else. Hypnosis involves guided concentration.

During hypnosis history there were periods of progress and periods of stagnation in the development of modern hypnosis. Medical interest and acceptance expanded following World War II when the use of hypnotherapy proved especially helpful to surviving battlefield casualties suffering from shock, injury, battle fatigue and various psychological disorders. As understanding increased, hypnosis began to be recognized as an important as counseling psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry.

All human have two distinct minds the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is vastly larger and more powerful than the conscious mind, yet it is the least understood and used by mankind. Actually, the great unconscious mind has two functional elements, the subconscious and the superconscious, the former the storehouse of memory, the latter dealing with the spiritual.

The subconscious mind receives and retain, neither accepting nor rejecting, all the messages we receive from our backgrounds, whether genetic, social, religious or experiential, plus all the conflicts that enter our lives daily. When for whatever reason the conscious mind becomes overloaded, the subconscious prepares us for what is considered appropriate action. However, the subconscious mind does not analyzed, as does the conscious mind, but accepts all messages in the literal sense.

In essence, hypnosis is a means of communication between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. Many human problems, habits, stresses, anxieties, attitudes can be traced to interpretations by the subconscious mind which when understood by the conscious mind, can reduce or solve specific problems.

The subconscious is also the seat of all memory. Traumatic events can be buried or suppressed in the subconscious. A major benefit of hypnotherapy is its ability to uncover and bring into the light of understanding the buried information or experience, which may be the cause of a troublesome disorder.

Because hypnosis is the quickest and healthiest way to relieve stress, quit smoking, lose weight, release phobias, and much more. Getting healthy and filling your life with joy can be easier than you think. Hypnotic relaxation allows you to change attitudes and behaviors in a permanent and profound way. Hypnosis is a drug free alternative with proven results, so it can quickly and safely lead to health and prosperity. 

Depression

                   By Dr. Fabiola M. Beron, Ph.D

For most people, the absolute worst way to attempt to deal with a smoking habit is through the use of willpower. Like moods and emotions, willpower fluctuates. One day it is strong. The next day may be down day, and willpower fades. It is usually neither consistent nor effective.

Depression is a mental disorder manifested by low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or inappropriate guilt with a generally gloomy outlook. It is often accompanied by anxiety, tension, and agitation. Depression is much more common than previously supposed, it interferes with enjoyment of life and disrupts the family environment.

You Can Lose Weight

By Dr. Fabiola M. Beron, Ph.D

Of all potentially life threatening medical conditions overweight is near the top of the list. A direct cause and effect line can be drawn from obesity to heart diseases. No matter how fat you get, your heart remains the same size and the more work it has to do. If an obese person allows this problem to get out of hand, something is going to give, and it will probably be the heart. Obesity also contributes to failure of kidneys and the circulatory system. The overworked digestive system is a risk in over-eaters, and overweight is extremely dangerous in diabetics, and will have an adverse affect on existing conditions such as arthritis.

Obesity is said to be present when you are 20% over your ideal body weight. Thus if your weight chart says you should be 120 lb. and you weigh in at 145 lb. then you are obese, not just a "little overweight" but obese. In very rare cases this condition is caused by glandular dysfunction but in absence of disease causes, the only way you become obese or overweight has to do with what, and how much, you eat.

While obesity can be treated surgically, the safest method is behavior modification that results in a reduction of calorie intake. Diets that favor one of the food groups over another don't work and can be unsafe.

Hypnotherapy is an excellent therapy for eating disorders. The correct hypnotherapeutic method is to persuade overweight clients to eat less food from the four recommended food groups. A steady, one or two pounds a week loss is aimed for, and fasting or skipping meals is discouraged.

The value of exercise, in conjunction with good eating habits, cannot be over emphasized. Like the maintenance of an internal combustion engine it is not reasonable to expect the body to perform at efficient levels when we don't keep it in tune. Thus, the combination of exercise and sensible food intake is the norm. 

A hypnotherapy program for weight reduction will involve several specific elements of established objectives:

1.       The client will cut down the intake of food in every possible way.

2.       The client will digest his food much faster; the metabolism will be speeded up thus preventing fat from accumulating in the body.

3.       Fattening foods, such as candies, chocolates, pastries, junk food, and similar calorie laden food will not be desired.

4.       The bowels will function frequently, regularly and completely.

5.       Physical exercise and muscle toning exercise will become a part of the client way of living.

Don't treat this problem lightly. Along with stopping smoking, bringing your weight into line is the most beneficial thing you can, and must do, for yourself. The resultant positive feelings of accomplishment and return of self-esteem will completely change your outlook on life. You have but one body. Look after it!

Anger and Rage Control

              By Dr. Fabiola M. Beron, Ph.D

Compulsive behavior leading to verbal or physical violence is almost always a learned or reactive condition coming from early childhood experiences. It is as prevalent in females as in males. Normal actions in others can trigger uncontrollable anger due to the presence of unresolved issues. The sufferer is often unaware of the true reasons for his or her inability to control anger and erroneously believes it is caused by the person to whom he or she directs the anger at the heat of the moment.

While anger is a normal and useful impulse, when a person is unable to control the impulses and they lead to verbal or physical violence (out of control), the condition is obsessive and can be extremely dangerous. If the condition remains untreated, these unfortunate people can be, at best, impossible to live with and, at worst, a serious danger to themselves and society.

Conjugal violence and child abuse frequently occurs because of unaddressed underlying issues that are the true cause of such psychotic behavior. Sufferers are frequently in denial and this makes it difficult to get them to undertake the necessary treatment.

There is a sort of sub-conscious justification that works something like this: because my mother and father beat me and each other I know its OK behavior for me no matter what anyone else says. Until these misguided impressions are brought to the surface and corrected the behavior will continue. This is, more often than not, a progressive condition that will get steadily worse if left untreated.

Fortunately, anger and rage is a condition that can be effectively treated with hypnotherapy if the subject is able to be honest about their condition and come for help. In some societies this is difficult because of cultural tradition that condones violent behavior towards spouses or children. However, in recent years Canadian and US laws have been enacted that place the onus for treatment and modification of compulsive, violent behavior with the offender.

Hypnosis has the facility to get to the route of sub-conscious feelings very quickly, the true cause of the angry behavior can be isolated and dealt with. I treat many men and women who have been ordered by the courts to attend anger control programs and/or group therapy. The work of hypnotherapy complements this treatment.

Successful treatment requires a true desire, on the part of the client, to get better. When that occurs, there is a very high incidence of recovery and great improvement in the enjoyment of the life of former sufferers and those around them.

Stress Management

          You Can Increase Effectiveness, Avoid Burnout

             By Dr. Fabiola M. Beron, Ph.D

Stress control is the objective of most hobbies and pastimes. Working out, swimming, running, fishing, even stamp collecting can help us relax and alleviate the symptoms of stress. In my mother treatment of cancer I emphasize her the power of relaxation to heal. Stress that is not dealt with, will give cancer or another diseases a place to start.

The medical profession believes that one of the major causes of cancer is a person's inability to dissipate the stresses of everyday life. The stresses that so accumulate are thought to take their toll by inhibiting the body's natural immune system.

Cancer or heart disease is often an indication of problems elsewhere in a subject's life. Objective research has shown that many who contract cancer or heat failure very frequently have suffered severe stress involving loss of a relationship, job, or death of a spouse or child, some twelve to eighteen months prior to onset of the disease. Spousal relationships that are bitter, abrasive or abusive are a major cause of negative stress and must be changed. In fact, unless the subject changes recognizable causes of stress such as this, he or she will undoubtedly bear the consequences in health breakdown sooner or later. This is particularly true if you already have hypertension. Stress is an enemy waiting in the wings. Don't give it a chance to kill you!

Hypnosis is an excellent therapy for dealing with stress, and they vary with the type of stress and the individual. It is important to analyze the stress stimuli and the physical and/or emotional response, which they bring out. Through hypnosis positive new responses can be created to replace the devastating reactions of the past. Buried feelings can be brought to the surface and release. Outside pressures can be relieved. And finally, new responses to old disturbances can be induced with major changes in attitudes and reactions. Stress control should be ongoing.

If you are concerned about stress in your life, see your doctor about using the considerable power of hypnosis to combat this silent killer.