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Original poster

Has anyone been hypnotised?

18 replies

COL1N · 17/02/2023 17:40

I have a severe dog phobia which I am desperate to overcome. It rules my life, i.e., I cant go to the park with my daughter or to certain friends homes. Its my first consideration when invited somewhere new. I have had CBT counselling but it didn't work at all. Has anyone had hypnotherapy for something similar and it worked? I will try anything but don't want to spend alot more money on something that also doesnt work. Thanks!

OP posts:
ItsLoudInMyMind · 17/02/2023 17:49

I spent £££’s on hypnotherapy sessions for my anxiety and I’m still anxious so it didn’t do me much good.

Ringmaster27 · 17/02/2023 17:52

My aunt did it years ago when she’d tried and failed a million times to stop smoking. It worked for her and she’s not smoked since🤷🏻‍♀️ or maybe it was just a placebo effect - who knows!

sarahc336 · 17/02/2023 17:57

Therapist here op. There's no evidence to suggest hypnotherapy works. Why do you feel your cbt didn't work? Did you practice the exposure work repeatedly? Where did your phobia come from? Any trains from a dog attack etc? Emdr could work on any trains as could cbt but not all cbt therapists would necessarily treat a phobia with working on the actual trauma.

newtowelsplease · 17/02/2023 17:57

I've had hypnotherapy for weight loss before. I find that it works when I do it regularly but as soon as I stop regular sessions it stops working

sarahc336 · 17/02/2023 17:57

Any trauma i meant not any trains 🙄

notsosoftanymore · 17/02/2023 17:58

I think research has shown that some people just can't be hypnotised but most can.
It permanently cured my fear of flying in about three sessions. Make sure you find a well qualified hypnotist who you like. It's a very nice experience, you just become very calm and the hypnotist speaks directly to your subconscious. Definitely worth a try.

CleaningOutMyCloset · 17/02/2023 17:59

I went to try and give up smoking, didn't work in the slightest and I was aware all the time of what was going on. Just a nice relaxing lie down on a chair - albeit an expensive one

DoubleHelix79 · 17/02/2023 18:12

Did the friendly spider programme at London Zoo, which involves a mix of hypnosis and exposure therapy. It definitely helped - I will still 'jump' if surprised by a spider, and prefer them not to be in my house, but it has very much reduced the blind fear and panic I felt before. A friend did something similar for a dog phobia, which I think also helped her.

Original poster
COL1N · 17/02/2023 18:26

sarahc336 · 17/02/2023 17:57

Therapist here op. There's no evidence to suggest hypnotherapy works. Why do you feel your cbt didn't work? Did you practice the exposure work repeatedly? Where did your phobia come from? Any trains from a dog attack etc? Emdr could work on any trains as could cbt but not all cbt therapists would necessarily treat a phobia with working on the actual trauma.

Thanks for replying. No trauma, really long story of how I came to be so scared of dogs but basically older sibling was scared which I took on.
I think CBT didnt work because I really didnt want to do the exposure! I was absolutely terrified doing it & it never got easier.

OP posts:
Original poster
COL1N · 17/02/2023 18:27

I guess its worth a try, might work might not. I am desperate to find a solution.

OP posts:
Original poster
COL1N · 17/02/2023 18:28

I will look into EMDR aswell, not heard of that before. Any experiences of this working?

OP posts:
blippyissilly · 17/02/2023 18:36

Look into my eyes, not around my eyes, look into my eyes

DuchessOfSausage · 17/02/2023 18:38

Yes, and it didn't work
Yes, and it did work
Different hypnotherapists

CannibalQueen · 17/02/2023 18:42

Hypnotist couldn’t hypnotise me because I couldn’t relax enough ( apparently I have trust issues and that doesn’t aid hypnotism). Knew the guy, felt perfectly safe etc.

Goldenboysmum · 17/02/2023 18:49

Yes, was hypnotised to stop smoking and it worked. Took me a while to get out of the "reaching for them" habit.

Stopped for almost 2 years, then my son died and I started again.

Went back about 6 months later, and stopped again for another few months, but started again, to be honest i knew the 2nd time hadn't worked as well as the first.

notsosoftanymore · 17/02/2023 18:49

Useful article about hypnotherapy and various bits of research showing positive results.
time.com/5380312/is-hypnosis-real-science/
Hypnosis has been around for a long time, particularly from the 18th century when it was taking off as a major means of relieving pain just as major anaesthetics were being developed. Worth looking up Mesmer and mesmerism too if you have time for a read. It's a shame that people are so ready to dismiss hypnosis, there's plenty of evidence that it works.

Original poster
COL1N · 17/02/2023 19:48

Thankyou for the replies.
Does anyone have any recommendations on finding a good hypnotherapist? Is it just a case of lookibg at online reviews?

OP posts:
sarahc336 · 17/02/2023 22:25

Emdr should work op, they'll be memories there if experiencing your older sibling being scared and the feeling associated with that I'd assume. cbt would work but you'd need to do the exposure work really. Phobias are actually very treatable good luck

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