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Afraid of dentist or fear of doctor. Scared and nervous patient in hospital. Malpractice or fake doctor concept.

Building Lasting Bonds: Treating Nervous Patients with Compassion and Care

Top Tips for Treating Nervous Patients

What is Hypnosis? The question, "What is hypnosis?" is often easier to ask than to answer. The complex nature of hypnosis has been the subject of an entire scientific discipline dedicated to understanding its intricacies. Most people associate hypnosis with a state of focused attention and increased suggestibility, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. Few are aware that the ability to focus attention so intensely has neurobiological roots, making it an inherent ability of the human brain. Many everyday activities involve a form of hypnotic response through this focused attention. For instance, when you're deeply engrossed in a video game, watching TV, praying, reading, or even running, you can narrow your focus to such an extent that you temporarily ignore other stimuli in your environment. Being suggestible, too, is rooted in our neurobiology. Our brains are equipped with mirror neurons—cells that help facilitate social interactions. These neurons allow infants to learn from their caregivers and enable people to imitate others’ behaviours, words, and emotions. In essence, hypnotic responding is a genetically inherited ability of the human brain, involving a motivated, intentional mode of information processing. This ability allows humans to alter their perceptions of the body, self, actions, and world to varying degrees. When a hypnotist gives suggestions in a process known as heterohypnosis, they are not controlling the individual’s mind; rather, they are helping that person activate this innate ability to alter their own experience You may have heard people claim, “No one can hypnotise me.” This statement typically reflects a discomfort with the idea that someone else could influence their mind against their will. However, it ignores the reality that we all experience forms of hypnosis in our daily lives. In fact, self-hypnosis—where we consciously or unconsciously repeat suggestions to ourselves—is common. It is very important to remember- that the hypnotist is NOT hypnotising you- but rather facilitating and guiding your own self-controlled experience. Many definitions of hypnosis describe heterohypnosis, but self-hypnosis is equally valid and useful. Recent research has posited that in some instances it can be more powerful and profound than heterohypnosis. Although hypnosis has long been a subject of controversy, most clinicians now agree that it is a powerful, effective therapeutic tool for addressing a range of conditions, including pain, anxiety, IBS and mood disorders. Hypnosis can also help people overcome harmful habits, such as smoking. Stage Hypnosis While clinical hypnosis is performed with the patient’s best interest in mind, there are concerns about the misuse of hypnosis in entertainment. Stage hypnosis, for instance, can carry its own set of risksHypnosis for entertainment purposes, commonly known as stage hypnosis, is often linked with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Despite being a more visible form of hypnosis, stage hypnosis is widely regarded by medical professionals as risky. In many regions, includingOne key factor is that many stage hypnotists lack the appropriate psychological and clinical training. Without a strong psychodynamic understanding of hypnosis, they are less equipped to handle adverse reactions, let alone ensure the recovery of their participants. Hypnosis as a Scientific Discipline Hypnosis has been the subject of rigorous scientific research for many decades. It has been studied across multiple domains, and there is substantial data supporting its efficacy, particularly in medicine and psychology. Hypnosis is recognized as an effective treatment in two primary areas of medicine: pain management and the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Below is a discussion on the application of hypnosis in pain management. Managing Pain with Hypnosis Research has demonstrated that hypnosis is a highly effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain. In fact, due to its efficacy and overwhelmingly positive side effect profile, some experts now regard hypnosis as a first-line treatment for pain management. Pain is essential for survival, warning us of potential harm and helping protect the body. However, chronic, or acute pain, particularly during medical procedures, can become problematic. In these cases, pain can serve no protective purpose, leading instead to avoidance of necessary medical care. For instance, chronic pain conditions, like back pain, can prevent individuals from engaging in the physical therapy they need for recovery, causing further deterioration. Moreover, chronic headaches can result in overmedication, which leads to rebound headaches, thus exacerbating the pain. Traditional medical treatments for pain—such as powerful analgesics—often come with significant drawbacks, including the development of tolerance, side effects like constipation, and cognitive impairments. These issues have spurred researchers to explore alternatives, and hypnosis has emerged as an effective, non-pharmacological option. Self-hypnosis training has shown impressive results in managing both acute and chronic pain. Because hypnosis can alter activity in the brain regions responsible for pain perception, individuals trained in self-hypnosis often report hours of relief after just a few minutes of practice. Moreover, the "side effects" of hypnosis are overwhelmingly positive, and patients often feel calmer, more in control, and more relaxed. In clinical trials, patients have not only reported significant reductions in pain but also improvements in overall well-being. When one aspect of life improves, others often follow suit. This is the essence of hypnosis as a treatment: it empowers individuals to take control of their pain and, by extension, improve their quality of life. Conclusion Hypnosis, whether in clinical or research settings, is a scientifically validated tool with substantial benefits, especially in pain management. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between its professional, therapeutic use and the potential risks associated with entertainment-based hypnosis. As with any powerful tool, hypnosis must be used responsibly by qualified professionals to ensure its effectiveness and safety.

What is Hypnosis?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) concept. Deep learning. Mindfulness. Psychology.

<h3>What is Hypnosis?</h3>Hypnosis is a term that sparks curiosity and is often misunderstood. While many people think of hypnosis as a mystical state of mind control, it is actually a scientifically studied phenomenon involving a focused state of attention and an increased level of suggestibility. At its core, hypnosis taps into a natural capability of the human brain: the ability to concentrate intensely while tuning out distractions. This focused attention is deeply rooted in neurobiology. We often enter similar states of concentration in everyday activities like playing video games, watching TV, praying, reading, or running. In these moments, we become so absorbed in what we are doing that we ignore everything else around us. Suggestibility, another key aspect of hypnosis, also has its roots in the brain's wiring. Our brains are equipped with mirror neurons—special cells that help us learn and interact socially by mimicking the behaviours, expressions, and emotions of others. This ability to mirror others is essential for social learning and underlies why hypnosis can be effective. Hypnotic responsiveness is not a magical or mysterious ability but rather a natural, genetically inherited trait of the human brain. It is a deliberate and motivated process that allows people to alter their perception of themselves, their bodies, actions, and even their surroundings to varying degrees. The role of a hypnotist, or what is known as heterohypnosis, is primarily to guide and create an environment that helps individuals access this innate ability to transform their experience. The hypnotist’s suggestions are not about controlling someone’s mind but rather facilitating a state where the person’s own mind becomes more receptive to suggestion. If the suggestions are not acceptable to the client- then they will be ignored. You may have heard people say, "No one can hypnotise me," reflecting a fear of losing control or having their mind manipulated against their will. However, this belief overlooks a fundamental truth: everyone is capable of experiencing hypnotic states. In fact, self-hypnosis—where we repeat positive affirmations or suggestions to ourselves—is a common practice many people engage in without even realising it. Also, hypnosis is not something that someone does to you. It is what you do to yourself! No one can put you in a ‘trance’- you are given the suggestions to experience whatever it is that you create for yourself.