Hypnosis, seeing a hypnotist.

[Revived]

I tried hypnosis, nicotine patches and gum, wellbutrin, cutting back, telling people I quit so that I would feel guilty if they saw me, etc, etc ... you name it, it's likely I've tried it.

The ONLY thing that has worked is the fact that I really wanted to. During an annual checkup nearly four years ago, my GP stated that in one of his journals, a study concluded that 85% of people who quit smoking successfully, did so by quitting cold turkey. Translation ... if you want to quit, smoking cessation therapies/devices/programs are inconsequential. Just continue to pray about it and do it bro. You know you can!!

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Have you ever done it? What are your thoughts on hypnotherapy in general?

I really hate my smoking habit...and I've tried multiple times to quit...I've been smoking since I was 15 and promised myself that this year I was going to quit.

A friend of mine and someone else I know just quit after seeing a hypnotist...and they've been doing well so far...with no cravings, no relapse, no excessive irritability.

Other people I've known have quit for months but something always seems to trigger a relapse. Could be stress...going out to a bar/having too much to drink, emotional turmoil etc.

Anyway - have you ever seen a hypnotist or tried this method of therapy for a specific problem or addiction? I'm really curious about it and have been researching prospective books on Amazon (self hypnosis) because I see it as a possibly very powerful tool - and not just for addictions.

What are your thoughts?

No, I've never been to one. As for going to one, sure, why not.

 

[Luther073082]

Blind Post: I've been hypnotised before. However I can't speak to the effectivness of hypotherapy. I'll leave that to the experts.

 

[Inkachu]

I've never attempted to be hypnotized, and never wanted to. The idea of someone else having control over my mind is completely repellant to me. I know there are some people who just can't "quiet" their minds enough to be hypnotized; I think I'm one of them. I'm the sort of person who fights for consciousness, like when I'm about to have surgery, when I feel the anesthesia kicking in, I'll fight stay awake, just because I'm stubborn. I had a doctor once tell me "you won't remember this when you wake up" and I said "yes I will". And I did.

I guess I just like being in control of my brain.

 

[Stravinsk]

I've never attempted to be hypnotized, and never wanted to. The idea of someone else having control over my mind is completely repellant to me. I know there are some people who just can't "quiet" their minds enough to be hypnotized; I think I'm one of them. I'm the sort of person who fights for consciousness, like when I'm about to have surgery, when I feel the anesthesia kicking in, I'll fight stay awake, just because I'm stubborn. I had a doctor once tell me "you won't remember this when you wake up" and I said "yes I will". And I did.

I guess I just like being in control of my brain.

There was never a point in the hypnosis that I did not feel in control. I don't think that's the problem. I've bought a book on the subject and the author claims that no one can be made to do things under hypnosis without their consent. Even those people who go on stage and pretend to be chickens have given their consent - no one is forced through hypnosis.

 

[Inkachu]

How can you say they've consented when they aren't aware or don't remember it afterwards? That isn't being "in control".

 

[Stravinsk]

How can you say they've consented when they aren't aware or don't remember it afterwards? That isn't being "in control".

If what I read is true, that's popular fiction. Stuff for stage acts and popular movies/t.v. shows

I remember everthing that was suggested to me during my hypnosis session.

 

[lostaquarium]

I keep remembering what happened in Office Space.

 

[ceh85]

I'd say maybe it's going to take more than one session. It is a major lifestyle change after all, something that has been part of your daily routine for years. I have never been hypnotized by another person but I've used self-hypnosis CDs and found them to be quite effective. I also felt totally in control, the combination of words and music just seemed to relax me more and allow me to absorb more of what the CD was saying.

A family member of mine went to a hypnotist as part of treatment for depresson(I know, random). Stuff came out in the sessions that this person had no idea were still bubbling underneath the surface, it was quite surprising. Dealing with some of that stuff helped them. I think maybe it just helps you access your subconscious or something.

 

[Revived]

I keep remembering what happened in Office Space.

I had forgotten about this part of the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KHDG0HwPDw

 

[Rhye]

I hope you are okay, Strav.

 

[Stravinsk]

Thank you everyone, for the feedback.

I've just reading a book on hypnotherapy (I'm nerdy like that...when I'm interested in something, I almost always buy books and study it for a while) - and there is a section in the book dealing with cigarette smoking. One interesting thing it says as a "pre conditioning" to stopping smoking is to never smoke while watching television. I don't watch television, but I do watch movies...and I've had a habit of smoking while watching for a long time. But anyway, the reason stated is that watching television at length puts a person in a slightly hypnotic state - which helps solidify the smoking addiction if your doing it in this state.

 

[ulu]

I keep remembering what happened in Office Space.

Awesome flic!

 

[rhinoman22]

I'm curious to what everyone things about hypnosis and hypnotic amnesia. Is it against Christianity or sinful in any way?

I could see it completely okay to do it to give up smoking. Same if someone is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Or even help the 2nd hand people effected to the person with PTSD. What do you think?

 

[traingosorry]

I remember years ago my parents bought these tickets to see a hypnotist to help them quit smoking. It was one of those hypnosis en-masse crowds.

It didn't work. I can't remember why that was the case for them, but I suspect if you are skeptical to begin (my Dad) with or in the wrong mindset, it's a waste of time.

 

[Im_A]

Have you ever done it? What are your thoughts on hypnotherapy in general?

I really hate my smoking habit...and I've tried multiple times to quit...I've been smoking since I was 15 and promised myself that this year I was going to quit.

A friend of mine and someone else I know just quit after seeing a hypnotist...and they've been doing well so far...with no cravings, no relapse, no excessive irritability.

Other people I've known have quit for months but something always seems to trigger a relapse. Could be stress...going out to a bar/having too much to drink, emotional turmoil etc.

Anyway - have you ever seen a hypnotist or tried this method of therapy for a specific problem or addiction? I'm really curious about it and have been researching prospective books on Amazon (self hypnosis) because I see it as a possibly very powerful tool - and not just for addictions.

What are your thoughts?

The last I knew, a woman that I used to work with, her husband tried it and it was successful for him. She tried it and it didn't work. She acknowledged the differences between him and her. He wanted to quit smoking, she didn't.

When I quit smoking, I did it through various stages of cold turkey, failing, failed attempts with the patch and the gum, cold turkey, failing and cold turkey. I couldn't convince myself by using gum and the patch to put the same drug in lower amounts because if I wanted that, I would have went to cigars. Smells better, tastes better and got that nostalgic manliness to it. I couldn't reason with myself to pay someone to trick my mind when I personally believe that if you have to want something for hypnosis to work, then the trick is self-trickery. So I couldn't get myself to do it. I just came to a point that I wanted to give it up. Whether it lasts who knows. I'll only call myself a 'non-smoker' for insurance policy though.

If you do it, or have done it, I hope it is good for you.

 

[Stravinsk]

In a couple of months it will have been a year since I posted this thread.

The hypnosis didn't work for me. I went to the same lady twice and was smoking within the same day. I did, however, manage to stop smoking in my car and home - and I'll say this - the first cigarette tasted like absolute yuck after hypnosis. I'm still smoking. I've heard through the grapevine that many people have mixed results with her. I was given a number to a more reputable hypnotist and plan on seeing him.

I've been able to make all kinds of positive changes in my life - but have had the hardest time quitting this particular habit.

 

[white dove]

Have you ever done it? What are your thoughts on hypnotherapy in general?

As a former psych student, I know that the human mind is very powerful and can be easily influenced when in a vulnerable state. As a spiritual person, I believe it is best to be cautious around the potential to manipulate the mind in such a way. My former boyfriend truly believed in mind/spirit alterations and I never thought for one moment that those things we discussed were things I should be taking part in. As a Christian, the two are intertwined... so I would hesitate.


If you're trying to quit smoking or drinking or whatever, I believe people DO have the power to stop. It's just really, REALLY hard work to re-train your own mind. It can be done though. People just want a quick fix.





Edit: Ah crud. Old thread. Sorry. This is what I get for blind-posting.