Columns DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace Addressing Some Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy Addressing Some Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy by Jessie Ace | May 4, 2021 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link After speaking about hypnotherapy recently with a few people I know, I realized that many of them didn’t know that hypnosis can be used to manage stress and anxiety. One person remarked, “What do I need to say to get you to quack like a duck?” Well, it’s not like that. Performers have used hypnosis over the years in stage performances, TV, and film to demonstrate the power of hypnosis. Sometimes they have mocked the deep-rooted power of hypnotic persuasion by getting people to cluck like chickens or do something out of the ordinary to make the audience laugh. But in reality, hypnotherapy can be a handy tool to manage stress and anxiety, which could come into play when managing MS symptoms. What is hypnotherapy? According to the U.K.’s National Health Service, “Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to try to treat conditions or change habits.” A hypnotherapy session starts by having the patient discuss what’s on their mind. Then they are put into a hypnotic trance to help the mind work through the particular habit or behavior they hope to change. This may sound scary, but it’s not! The person can wake up from the hypnosis at any time, and after coming out of the hypnotic state, most people wake up feeling refreshed. How can hypnotherapy help? My hypnotherapist provides help for people who have anxiety or stress, want to lose weight, have a fear of flying, or want to stop smoking, among others. As I mentioned before, there are many misconceptions about hypnotherapy. Some believe that therapists may take advantage of the patient during a session, such as by filling their minds with various thoughts and ideas. But when a patient is in a hypnotic trance, they can hear everything being said. Another misconception is that a person needs to be weak-minded for hypnosis to work. This isn’t true, as hypnosis can work for most anyone. Those who might struggle with hypnosis often tend to fight against the hypnotherapist in their heads and don’t follow what the hypnotherapist is saying. Hypnotherapy has helped get me out of a stuck mindset in which nothing felt positive after my recent MS flare. *** Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Jessie Ace Jessie is the host of the DISabled to ENabled podcast and author of the "ENabled Warriors Symptom Tracker" book. She's also an illustrator working with MS charities and magazines worldwide. She’s interviewed paralympians, radio DJs, chronic illness bloggers, marathon runners, and more. Jessie, based in the U.K., was diagnosed with MS at 22 years old and was told by a doctor to "go home and Google it" to find out what MS was for herself. Her own experience of being newly diagnosed so young was negative and scary, so she fills the internet with positivity for other anxious MS Googlers to stumble upon. Tags anxiety, stress Comments Heather This treatment sounds wonderful! Does it come at a high cost? I’ll research it for my area! Reply Jessie Ace Hey Heather, glad to hear it sounds wonderful :) price varies depending on where you live best to reach out to some and see what they say. #StayENabled - Jessie Reply Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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