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AIBU?

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Original poster

to ask if you've ever been hypnotised ?

29 replies

Ilovefoodtoomuch · 13/08/2017 19:34

Name changed as I have discussed with a few friends and don't want to be recognised on here asking about it...

Have you ever been hypnotised for a phobia, fear, anxiety, to give up smoking, food issues etc ? I mean properly hypnotised. Not for a stage show, but to help with a problem.

I am thinking of seeing a local hypnotist who claims to be able to perform a hypno gastric band, as well as re programme the mind to tackle food issues, and the things that go with it. Overeating, getting comfort from food, and generally not making food such a big thing for me.

I'm sceptical but intrigued. I have tried every diet, slimming club, you name it I've done it. I am a self confessed foodaholic, I love food, I enjoy food, but I am sick of being fat. I have absolutely no will power at all. Before anyone says diet and exercise etc, if it were that easy fore I wouldn't have been fat for all my adult life.

Just want to know if anyone's tried it and whether it worked for you ?

OP posts:
Magicnumbers · 13/08/2017 20:13

I went for a few sessions a few years back for issues relating to family, all of which related to my inability at the time to say no and keep myself from getting embroiled in their drama (i.e. I was routinely being expected to get far too involved and taking responsibility for dealing with their problems rather than supporting them while they solved their problems).

I went to someone reputable, and I really, really wanted it to work. I was conscious and I wasn't sure at first that it was having any impact. It was combined with reading a book he recommended based on the key issue of saying no to people (and not feeling guilty about it!) who wanted me to take on their problems.

I can honestly say it really helped. Quite quickly, I was able to break the cycle of dependency and not give into the attempts to make me feel guilty. It wasn't a completely clean change- it took guts to say no first time and I felt some guilt. But quite quickly I was able to understand (and keep reminding myself) that what was being expected of me was unfair and that it was up to the other person to sort out their self made dramas. It is so liberating and has helped me in other situations.

Other people I know have successfully used hypnosis to quit smoking.

It works if you have someone good and really want something. You will still need some willpower but hopefully it will make things much easier for you.

Good luck!

Elphame · 13/08/2017 20:16

Yes - I had hypnotherapy for severe dental phobia about 30 years ago. It was so bad I couldn't walk past a toothbrush display without an anxiety attack and visiting a dentist was out of the question.

It worked really well - I had half a dozen sessions. I will never enjoy going to the dentist but I can now manage my 6 monthly appointments without difficulty.

crazyhorses3 · 13/08/2017 20:19

Can I just say that it is important to choose someone who is well qualified - not just a weekend course but a proper training. I have trained but I am astonished how many poorly qualified therapists there are out there.

Fekko · 13/08/2017 20:20

You have to remember that you are conscious of what's going on around but just feel so relaxed and enjoy that feeling that you don't really care what's going on around you.

You need to be motivated for the change and be prepared to work at it too, and be open to identifying those in your like who are likely to try to sabotage you (it's not always conscious). It makes you feel positive and optimistic that you can do it.

Stage hypnosis is a bit like stage mediums - all show (with booze and extrovert subjects).

Check their qualifications and insurance, -and get references or recommendations.

RockyBird · 13/08/2017 20:24

Do a search in App Store for the free lite version of Easyloss Virtual Gastric Band. It's free and has a great hypnosis session on it to listen to in the privacy of your own home.

I love it. I lose weight if I listen regularly and it helps me sleep.

Bravas · 13/08/2017 20:24

Dh had hypnotherapy for fear of flying, he hadn't flown for 15 years and managed a flight a few weeks later. We're jetting off again soon and he has no issues at all with it now.

Go for it, they did a test on him first to check he was susceptible to it.

BeyondThePage · 13/08/2017 20:26

We have a "holistic" private practice nearby - offering acupuncture and hypnotherapy as well as sleep counselling and physiotherapy.

I had acupuncture for tension headaches and hypnotherapy for anxiety over driving. I can now drive without feeling I could kill someone every time I get behind the wheel. (And am headache free).

but of course it is "all just a load of that placebo bollocks" according to my mum.

WhatEaglesWear · 13/08/2017 20:27

For me it was a load of nonsense!

I paid ££££ per session to be cured of my bird phobia about 15 years ago. Guess what, I'm still petrified of birds.

Maybe there are some people who it just doesn't work for, the guy I went to is very well known! Total and utter waste of money.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 13/08/2017 20:28

My sister went to one because of anxiety and depression, thry literally told her she had a genuine mental hralth illness (OCD) because my parents didnt show her enough love as a child... whilst my dad was sitting there and paying the bastard!

Goldenhedgehogs · 13/08/2017 20:28

I have done it for dental phobia as I needed a wisdom tooth out. At the time I didn't think it worked as I didn't want to relax into it, however afterwards talking to the hypnotist I told her the real reason I was scared and I had never told anyone that before. Just saying the reason put everything in perspective and alongside valium I got the tooth out. It definitely helped and like Elphane I have kept going to 6 monthly check ups which I always used to skip.

horridhenrysdoggy · 13/08/2017 20:33

I tried once for weight loss. I think I'm not susceptible. Was very relaxing. I think I felt good afterwards and probably should have kept it up, but it didn't work. This was ode- iPhone days.

I had a gastric band fitted 7 years ago. Best money I ever spent.

Goldenhedgehogs · 13/08/2017 20:37

love food just wondered if you might want to try a guided meditation app by Andrew Johnson about lose weight. I haven't tried that one but I have used his stop drinking alcohol one as it was recommended on the Dry 16 thread (thread for mumsnetters who want to stop drinking) Anyway I found it really helpful especially in the first few weeks of giving up and I still use it if I crave alcohol and I have been sober for 380 days.its only a couple of quid so might be worth it, I listened to it daily for 30 days and then as and when.

Neoflex · 13/08/2017 20:37

I got CDs to stop smoking ten years ago and now I have one to relax me for birth. They worked to the extent that they changed my way of thinking.
When I was stopping smoking I walked into a shop after an interview to buy cigarettes. Then I thought to myself "no, I don't need to smoke" and walked out again. I swear that must have come from the hypnosis CD.
Other day at work and colleague who is very emotionally unstable was kicking off in next room. I got up, closed the door and said to my other colleague "we don't need that negative energy I this room."
I swear on my life that is not a phrase that would usually slip out of my mouth. Hypnosis cd.

Lavabravacava · 13/08/2017 20:38

Yes, for food problem. It worked for a few years but I didn't keep it up so I now have the same problem again.

MagicMoneyTree · 13/08/2017 20:38

WhatEaglesWear going back a bit, but I'm sure when I studied psychology, there was quite a bit of research into whether certain people are better subjects and others are...erm...immune(?) to it (can't think of the right word)... basically there's a line of thought that you can only be hypnotised if you WANT to be and, conversely, that if you DON'T want to be or if you "resist" it, it won't work. Perhaps you're one of the ones whose brain couldn't quite "let go" ?

I know two people who had hypnotherapy to help quit smoking. Both were 40-a-day smokers and both were able to quit after one session (not sure how long). They knew each other and the 2nd one booked the session after a recommendation/ success story from the first, so it was with the same hypnotherapist.

I have always fancied having it out of curiosity but don't like the idea of it for entertainment purposes and never had a therapeutic need for it.

M10s · 13/08/2017 20:40

Twice. Many years apart. Both times it was a single, stand alone session. Second time I was 'out' (for want of a better way of describing that hypnotised state) before the introduction was completed. Very successful both times.

Now, here's the strange bit.

I'm deaf. Grin

redexpat · 13/08/2017 21:19

I have used a hypno therapy app to stop biting my nails. I need to listen to it once every 10 days or so to keep up the effect. I think the same people have a hypno gastric band app. Might be worth trying before spending more money.

Original poster
Ilovefoodtoomuch · 13/08/2017 21:35

Thabks will everyone, I do know someone who's seen him for a fear of bugs and it worked for them. I haven't looked into his qualifications etc - hadn't occurred to me to check, but feels obvious now you've pointed it out.

I will look into the apps. This is a one off 4 hour session. I just can't see it working as I have such a problem with food :(

OP posts:
QOD · 13/08/2017 21:40

Yep

Nothing changed.

I had a gastric bypass eventually and lost 8 stone. Am still 6.5 down (considered a success as I'm a 14 not a 24)

Girty999 · 13/08/2017 21:42

I had gastric band hypno, save your money xx it was a nice quiet lie down and he even smeared tcp on my hand for the authentic hospital smell pmsl xx

SnickersWasAHorse · 13/08/2017 22:10

That is very interesting M10.

I have a friend who is recently qualified. She's looking to practice on people.
I'm not so sure.

RedastheRose · 13/08/2017 22:13

Saw a properly qualified hypno-psychotherapist and it really helped me.

Original poster
Ilovefoodtoomuch · 13/08/2017 22:27

I'm supposed to be having my 'free consultation' tomorrow. Not sure whether to bother now or keep my £350 😕

OP posts:
Fekko · 13/08/2017 22:37

£350 - how many seasons?

Original poster
Ilovefoodtoomuch · 13/08/2017 23:11

One 4 hour session initially.

OP posts:
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