Myth #1

Loss of Consciousness

One of the major misconceptions is that the hypnotized person will lose conscious awareness. In hypnosis the subject does not lose awareness or fall asleeep. The subject is alert and aware of everything at all times and hears everthing the hypnotist says. While consciousness is entirely suspended in natural sleep, it is definitely present in hypnosis- a great difference. Hypnosis then is not sleep. In hypnosis one is awake and alert. The brain waves of a hypnotized person, even in deep hypnosis, are those of one awake and not of one asleep.

Hypnosis more closely approximates normal waking consciusness than it does sleep. A deeply sleeping individual will not hear if spoken to, unless roughly awakened by shaking; yet a person in deep hypnosis, though seemingly oblivious, will hear and respond to the hypnotist's suggestions. When a person is hypnotized, a technique is often used which will induce a drowsy lethargic state by a combined method of relaxation and suggestions of sleep. This sleeplike condition is the effect of suggestion, not hypnosis. Hypnosis can easily be induced without any suggestions of sleep, and the phenomena can be elicited in the waking state.

Myth #2

Hypnotized People Do Odd and Crazy Things

If you have witnessed a hypnotism show, you can see how one might leave the performance with that impression. The perception is that the hypnotist's commands are irresistable. A hypnotherapist should tell the prospective client that the stage hypnotist is an entertainer. To put on an entertaining show the performer must invoke in his or her volunteer subjects outrageous and farcical behavior. Hypnotherapy is used for serious purposes, so naturally the subject will not be made to crow like a rooster, or engage in any other absurdity, as in stage hypnosis.

Myth #3

Surrender of the Will, Loss of Control

This myth has been perpetuated by novels, popular magazine stories, comic strips, TV and the movies. Many people believe that hypnosis is a surrender of the will to the all-powerful hypnotist. Since the ability to be hypnotized is a subjective experience, nothing could be further from the truth. Most experts agree that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Although the hypnotist guides and develops the hypnotic state, the ability to be hypnotized rests within the subject, and the subject is always in control.

Myth #4

Weakmindedness

A common misconception is that only weak-willed or feeble-minded persons can be hypnotized. Contrary to popular belief, there is a relationship between intelligence and hypnotizability. It is difficult--and often impossible --to hypnotize morons, imbeciles, psychotics, or severely detached individuals. The greater the intelligence the better the hypnotic subject.

Myth #5

Revelation of Secrets

Myth #6

Fear of Getting Stuck in Hypnosis

Often the prospective subject will ask, What happens if you can't get me out of this? What if you have a heart attack while I'm hypnotized? Answer: Open your eyes and dial 911. There is no danger of the subject not being brought out of hypnosis. Since the subject holds the control, there is no difficulty in terminating the hypnotic state.

Myth #7

Hypnosis Weakens the Will

The will is not weakened or changed in any way. Subjects are always in control and cannot be made to do anything against their will. It should be emphasized that subjects are not dominated by the will of the hypnotist.

Myth #8

Hypnosis is Habit-Forming

Can a person be addicted to hypnosis or can it become habit-forming as a drug can? No. Subjects can resist hypnosis at any time, no matter how often they have been hypnotized.

Myth #9

Repeated Inductions Weaken the Mind

Repetitive hypnotic induction does not weaken the mind. In university experiments thousands of students have been hypnotized hundreds of times without harm.

Myth #10

Hypnosis Against Will

A person cannot be hypnotized against their will. Hypnosis is not a clash of wills. It is a condition of trust and cooperation between the subject and the hypnotist.