The Stages of Hypnosis

Ancient people and Shamans used trance states in ritualistic activities. Hypnosis, as we call it today, is championed by an Austrian physician called Franz Anton Mesmer who used hypnotic techniques to treat people of blindness, headache, paralysis and joint pain. However, anxieties and addictions are the conditions that are mostly addressed by hypnotic techniques these days.

The Light or Lethargic Stage

There are many three stages of hypnosis. The first stage is called lethargic or light stage. In this stage you will experience sleepiness and dullness feeling very comfortable and relaxed. The hypnotherapist will ask you to visualize past events that you can remember and also the future events. A good example can be a sportsperson is asked to imagine he is winning an event.
The Medium or Hallucinatory Stage
The second stage is called hallucinatory or medium stage in which you will become clearer about your past events and will be asked to forget your past traumas. You will become more responsive to the directions given by your hypnotist. You will be partially susceptible to the posthypnotic suggestions. You will be breathing deeper in this stage.

The Deep or Somnambulistic Stage

The third stage is called deep or somnambulistic stage in which the hypnotist will have complete control over you. You will perform anything suggested by your hypnotist unless the suggestions would not conflict with your learned values and ethics subconsciously. In this stage you will not aware of your surroundings and remember nothing. Sometimes the deep trance can result in amnesia. This will happen particularly if the hypnotist suggests. You will imagine that you never knew the things that you have forgotten.

Hypnotherapy is very effective in reducing the anxiety and fear created by uncomfortable medical procedures. In an operation hypnosis reduces the recovery time and the pain and anxiety that accompany post surgery. Many clinical studies prove that hypnosis reduces the need for medication and improves the physical and mental conditions before an operation. Dentists use hypnosis to control bleeding and gagging. Although hypnosis was considered unscientific in the past, several orthodox psychiatrists and psychologists use hypnosis these days. The British, Canadian and the American medical associations accept the values of hypnosis. However, you should undergo diagnosis from a physician before considering hypnotherapy. Particularly if your problem is psychological, you should get evaluated by a psychiatrist first. Hypnosis may exacerbate your symptoms at times without an accurate diagnosis.