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Original poster

anyone tried hypnosis and not felt much?

30 replies

MyFirstHypnosis · 05/01/2022 20:25

Yesterday I had my first ever experience of hypnosis - I'm trying to overcome some phobias.

It was a very pleasant experience just lying back with nice music and having the therapist voice an imaginary journey. But in all honesty I don't think I was asleep, or in a trance or anything.

I don't know if it was that I didn't trust him enough to let go or that there is something about me that makes me unsusceptible or whether I should keep going and see if it goes beyond skin-deep next time....

I'd be interested in hearing from others who've tried it :)

OP posts:
Nevilleneville · 05/01/2022 20:26

Exactly the same for me. I tired twice too.

ipswichwitch · 05/01/2022 20:27

Never tried it, but seemingly there’s some people who can’t be hypnotised. I read about it somewhere but can’t remember where. That’s probably not very helpful 😂

WendelFong · 05/01/2022 20:38

Are you having hypnotherapy? You won't feel like you're in a trance, or fall asleep. It's more about deep relaxation. It will be working without you even realising it. Please stick at it, it is a process and can change your life immeasurably. It certainly did mine.

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Original poster
MyFirstHypnosis · 05/01/2022 20:40

yes, hypnotherapy.

I've just tried a "are you susceptible to hypnotism" test and got very high scores.

Wendel I like the idea of it working wtihout me realising it - now that's something I could do with!!!

OP posts:
Loveisthere · 05/01/2022 20:43

Yes I tried it twice 2 different therapists but like you op I didn't feel anything. I told both therapist this and they said oh yes it definitely worked on you. Never went back a second time to either of them. Still smoking..

Original poster
MyFirstHypnosis · 05/01/2022 21:10

“Still smoking”

Lol.

I wonder what others feel?

One issue I had was being asked to visualise. I am not very good at visualisation so kept seeing rooms in my house which is where many of my problems are....

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 05/01/2022 21:14

I don’t relax at all and start to feel annoyed. I’ve tried it twice and didn’t like it.

Original poster
MyFirstHypnosis · 05/01/2022 21:17

I need another thread where I ask people who get it what they do feel.!

OP posts:
Sunsetsupernova · 05/01/2022 21:19

Yes me, although I do believe the hypnotherapist I had just wasn’t at all experienced with my particular phobia. She kept saying “well even I’d not like that” Hmm

If I had lots of spare cash I’d definitely try again with a different and more experienced therapist. I spoke to a few know seemed extremely knowledgeable about my phobia but all had quite long waiting lists and I was desperate at the time

singingstones · 05/01/2022 21:22

If done properly hypnosis is not something that is done to you, it's something that the client and the therapist do together. It often takes some practice before you get good at it, so tell them how you felt, what you are finding difficult and they should have lots of techniques to help you get more out of your sessions.

Bobbybobbins · 05/01/2022 21:23

I tried it as I had these intense dreams every night when I had DS1 that I had lift him somewhere. It firmly work though she said 'they'll probably stop when you go back to work'. And they did.

But when I was at uni we had a hypnotist show and my BF was chosen as a volunteer. He did some really funny things and didn't remember any of it. I didn't believe it til then!

ShirleyBadass · 05/01/2022 21:24

I had hypnotherapy 15 years ago to stop smoking and haven't had a cigarette since. It was like a long deep sleep for me and when he brought me back round I'd lost an hour.

singingstones · 05/01/2022 21:27

When hypnosis has "worked" on me I felt very relaxed, a bit spaced out but still aware of everything around me, time passes quickly, often feel refreshed afterwards.
Most agree now (and there have been a lot of studies) that there is no such thing as trance, hypnosis is just a state of heightened focused attention and suggestibility.

Sarahlou63 · 05/01/2022 21:38

But in all honesty I don't think I was asleep, or in a trance or anything.

No, you're not supposed to be asleep and you will be aware of what's going on (and if you have an itchy nose, you'll scratch it!).

If you are receptive to being hypnotised the hypnotist will talk directly to your subconscious to change the way you think or behave. Your conscious mind won't be aware of it until you realise you don't want that cigarette or drink or that you're no longer worried about making that speech.

I'm training at the moment (non trance hypnosis) and have got my - very skeptical partner - down from smoking 25 a day to lighting up and stubbing out immediately. Given that he was only humouring me (he thought) it's very satisfying!! Grin

AlexaWhatsMyUsername · 05/01/2022 21:43

My experience was the same as yours OP. I tried two different hypnotherapists about 8 years apart and still have my phobia.

Jjjayfee · 05/01/2022 21:45

I was amazed at how it helped me. I thought I would be too resistant. How ever I found that after a few months the effect gradually wore off. My sister had the same experience. We saw different hypnotherapists but perhaps some are more effective than others

Justkeeppedaling · 05/01/2022 21:47

Me.
At the end of the session the hypnotist told me I was "well under", but I wasn't. I kept wondering whether I should interrupt her when she was talking but was very British about the whole thing, thanked her very much at the end, paid her, and never went back.

underneaththeash · 05/01/2022 21:52

Yes, but I have aphantasia (and crap concentration).

Roominmyhouse · 05/01/2022 21:53

Ooh interesting reading this. I’m going to my first appointment with a hypnotherapist to try and help stop some bad habits. Will report back!

Chunkymenrock · 05/01/2022 21:54

Yep, had a fair bit and it does nothing. I also feel irritable and annoyed like another pp.

SiobhanSharpe · 05/01/2022 21:55

I did actually fall asleep and the hypnotherapist told me off!

crocidura · 05/01/2022 21:55

@Justkeeppedaling

Me. At the end of the session the hypnotist told me I was "well under", but I wasn't. I kept wondering whether I should interrupt her when she was talking but was very British about the whole thing, thanked her very much at the end, paid her, and never went back.
As someone who is also training currently this is very frustrating to read! She should have been helping you achieve hypnosis, not trying to gaslight you! Good hypnotherapists get really good results but I realise it gets very expensive if you need to shop around and keep trying people.
bruce43mydog · 06/01/2022 01:44

i go once a month and its amazing to just sit back and relax. was only meant to have a few sessions but its made me a lot more relaxed. at first i was really not a believer of hypnosis. and felt like nothing was happening. i think you have to trust the person you are with. but its one of my happy places now and i just go there now to feel out of it. shes made me feel a lot better. the one i go to is 100% brilliant at what she does

Original poster
MyFirstHypnosis · 06/01/2022 18:06

I also have a bit of aFantasia.

Lol about being very British, I did that too!

Yes please Room please check back in

OP posts:
Roominmyhouse · 06/01/2022 18:48

Had my initial consultation tonight, definitely liked the hypnotherapist and the setting is all very lovely. She thinks my issue should only need a few sessions (habit related). First actual session isn’t until 25th though as she’s all booked up until then. I want to get started!