Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma can lead to a host of problems if left unchecked, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, flashbacks, and even hallucinations. If you suffer from any of these symptoms (or others), hypnotherapy might be the best way to treat your symptoms. Here’s how it works!
WHAT IS PTSD AND TRAUMA?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a traumatic event involving physical harm or danger. The key diagnostic indicator of PTSD is re-experiencing the traumatic event in a number of ways. These can include nightmares, flashbacks or intrusive thoughts. Those who suffer from PTSD may find themselves on edge, easily startled, suffering from insomnia and avoiding reminders of the traumatic event in their daily lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 7 or 8 percent of Americans experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
Trauma involves either experiencing something physically or emotionally painful that was out of your control. You might think of trauma as a car accident, violent attack or some other event that caused you to fear for your life. For example, statistics indicate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime.
Someone who has been through a traumatic event can develop signs of PTSD. It’s entirely possible to have PTSD symptoms without having actually experienced a traumatic event, but this is pretty rare.
HOW IS HYPNOTHERAPY USED TO TREAT PTSD AND TRAUMA?
Some forms of hypnotherapy are designed to treat trauma by “re-writing” negative memories. This is done by taking your mind to a peaceful place, associating the traumatic event with something positive and then replacing the negative memories with positive, life-affirming ones. This can help eliminate disturbing and disturbing thoughts that are keeping you from living a happy, fulfilling and healthy life.
HOW DOES HYPNOTHERAPY WORK?
Hypnosis helps those suffering with PTSD and trauma because it helps you get in touch with your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is where all of your memories are stored. PTSD can be caused by recalling memories from a traumatic event that have been buried in your subconscious mind. Treatment involves using hypnosis to cleanse these memories so that you can move on from them without fear of their effects.
WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DOES HYPNOTHERAPY HAVE?
Hypnotherapy can help you overcome more than just PTSD and trauma. It can help you stop smoking, lose weight, stop drinking alcohol and even stop doing drugs. This is because hypnosis can actually rewire your brain to crave healthier habits instead of harmful ones. Again, this is because the subconscious mind stores our memories. If we can program it with healthy habits, then we are much more likely to follow through on those healthy habits in the future.
FAQS ABOUT HYPNOTHERAPY IS ONE OF THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR TREATING PTSD AND TRAUMA.
1. What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a form of relaxation that allows you to use your imagination and creativity to change the way you think and feel. It can also be used to help you change bad habits, solve problems, relieve stress, sleep better and much more. Hypnosis is safe and painless. You have complete control over your imagination while in hypnosis. You are in charge of what thoughts go into your mind while under hypnosis. No suggestions are read or put into your mind. However, we use our imagination in a creative way that may be surprising when we come out of the hypnotic state of mind, because it is new for us but with great results for our well being.
2. WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO?
We have you relax and focus your attention on a special hypnotic image . We use a holistic approach, which includes the conscious mind, subconscious mind and unconscious mind. In fact as our subconscious holds 90% of our memory, we work there. From this area of the brain we can change beliefs, habits and behaviors by associating them with new emotions or imagery, which if positive will help with the behavior control or weight loss needed for example. The unconscious is where the responses are made to suggestions given by the hypnotist. This is what makes hypnosis so powerful! And finally our conscious mind receives these changes in information moving towards the goal that has been set by you.
3. SO YOU DO NOT READ MY MIND?
No, it is the imagery we project that is the key in hypnosis to start a change. We assist the hypnotist on how to continue the process by using suggestions or commands. You are fully aware of what is happening and how you feel throughout your session. You may leave out suggestions or go back to them at certain times during your session. Most importantly, we do not want any negative feelings surrounding hypnosis as this can block these changes from working!
4. CAN I SEE NUMBERS OR SYMBOLS BEFORE MY SESSION?
You can see colours such as black, gold and light green . Also you might see circles in case of positive changes. Once you relax, you can see beautiful images. We pose questions to you that help you relax and focus your mind. Then we program the mind with new suggestions so that it “feels good” and positive about it, which is the Main purpose of hypnosis: To make change for a positive feeling within yourself.
5. DO I NEED TO BE ON A SPECIAL DIET?
No particular diet is needed but we advise avoiding coffee, tea or tobacco before the session as this can affect your experience in case of any sensitivities you might have or coffee in case of anxiety to maintain an enhanced state of relaxation.
6. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I AM REALLY HYPNOTIZED?
Once the relaxation is done, you will start to feel at ease and your mind will feel empty. You will be able to visualize images and follow suggestions or questions. You may not see anything at all because this depends on the individual but you will be able to see whatever you are picturing in your mind. Once we end the session, you will be woken up with a certain signal which also helps to reinforce a positive experience as it is usually something that feels good. All of our sessions come with a written report after each session and video recording for future references.
Hypnosis is a safe alternative treatment for many psychological conditions and disorders. It can also be used to relieve stress, stop smoking, lose weight, stop drinking alcohol and much more! So if you are fascinated by the notion of hypnosis, why not try it out?
