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Has anyone had experience of hypnosis as all or part of treatment for addiction?
(Feel free to insert images of Tony La Mesma too).
Thanks
What's the addiction?
Mrs D went for a few sessions. I think it depends on the individual and how relaxed you are and how open to suggestion.
The best thing that came from it was a personalised CD with some relaxing techniques etc. Every now and then it pops on to my Ipod or phone when out cycling and I have to fast forward. I have visions of being brainwashed or falling asleep if I listen to it. 😁
Not addiction, but MrsIHN had it for fairly extreme phobias, and it was very effective.
I tried it once but failed to 'go under' so can't comment.
Yes, Smoking. Haven't smoked for 13 years.
As per The DTs - an old college friend had it for smoking & stopped him straight away.
I know a cyclist who used it to overcome a fear of descending after a bad crash on a road ride. She's gone from "getting off and walking" to "cautious".
It helped me with problems I wasn't aware I had. It didn't help with the issues my wife said I had. Seems that I didn't have them...
It will work if you want it to but if you're a cynlical old beggar like me you will just go through the motions of being hypnotised to please the therapist.
It turned out that my extremely cynical younger brother, after having declared hypnosis to be ".. a lot of shite", actually proved to be highly suggestible and an ideal candidate for a well known stage hypnotist.
I'm just sorry I wasn't there to witness it in person.
There is a Science-Ish podcast about the reality of hypnosis, the 'Get Out' episode (Series3, ep23)
They discuss it from a sceptical standpoint and find it does work, if you have the right type of brain...
For work stress. It didnt' work, I would be relaxed for about an hour after the session, but then the stress would kick back in.
I think as above it depends if you can be truly "put under" or not; I couldn't, but worth a try to see if you can be.
Instead I've been a therapist and much of my reaction to stress comes from using the wrong kind of internal language - saying to myself "its a disaster", rather than just "Its annoying". Much of it came from having a strict upbringing.