Is Hypnosis Real Or Fake

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I've been suffering from a recurring depression over the past few months.
Nothing to do with being an Aspie but due to bad things that have happened to me.
I'm thinking about seeing a hypnotist to get rid of the negative feelings but don't know if it is a genuine phenomenon.
Has anyone here had any experience with hypnosis?
The things people like Paul Mckenna do like making people believe they are someone else.
Can this be real or am I just gullible?
I'm really depressed right now so would try it if there was a chance it would work.

I'm not speaking from any direct knowledge here but I'd say hypnosis should work. Basically it would have a similar effect as cognitive therapy, which basically uses the brain to fix the brain.

Oh, and don't worry about the hypnotist sneaking in an illicit suggestions. It's been proven time and time again that hypnotism can't be used for purposes the subject didn't agree to beforehand.

To cure depression, I doubt it. Depression is differnt that quit smoking and removing bad habits.

Cucumber its not if they don't agree beforehand, its if they wouldn't normally do the task, like those against their will.

I would like to think that hypnotism is real, but I just can't imagine it being possible. I do think, with a little reading, I could put myself into that same relaxed state that they call "hypnotism". I just don't think someone else could have that power. Perhaps it's a trust issue? It might be that I'm not susceptible. Who knows? I would like to find out someday though. I'll put it on my 'to do' list.

Hypnosis is a definitely a real phenomenon. It isn’t “thought control” or magical in any way. All hypnosis involves is willingly putting your own mind into a spontaneously suggestive state. I think hypnosis happens more often than we think. I know I can become semi-hypnotized while watching a particularly engrossing movie or television show.

I’m not sure hypnosis is that effective in treating psychological disorders though as it isn’t exactly a hard science. Then again, most psychology is trendy soft science IMO. I’m a bit of a skeptic on the issue. I don’t think seeing a professional hypnotist would hurt anything though. Just not sure if it’s ever been proven effective.

I've gone to a chiropractor even though I'm skeptical about the science behind it. Seeing a hypnotist seems kind of the same way to me. It’s worth a try, but I wouldn’t expect too much.

I believe that hypnotism works, only because I successfully hypnotized my younger sister once. I even gave her a post hypnotic suggestion, just to see if it worked. I do believe though, that there are some people that are easier to hypnotize than others.

I picked up on this discussion through a Google Alert so thought I'd throw a bit of light on hypnosis. I'm a hypnotist and help people with all sorts of issues. People automatically think about stopping smoking when they think about hypnotherapy but to be honest that's probably one of the smallest areas of my business. Most of my clients come with anxiety, lack of confidence and phobias.

Depression is something that I also see clients for and I combine hypnosis with CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy). The 2 work well together because CBT helps people to undersand why they feel or react in a particular way and hypnosis helps to change the thought processes so that people feel comfortable with changing.

Hypnosis is real, though that doesn't mean every hypnotist can hypnotise everyone they meet. It's similar to everyday life, some people you get on with really well and they seem to be on your wavelength, others you don't really connect with or feel they understand you.

Part of the skill in being a hypnotist is being able to interact with someone in the right way for them. If you are a serious person then someone who seems to be flippant and making jokes all the time probably won't be the right hypnotist for you. If you're quite a down to earth person you probably won't want someone who uses airy fairy descriptions.

It's important for a hypnotist to use language that the person understands and imagery that the person understands, almost as if it's you talking to yourself. If you are considering hypnosis then it would probably be a good idea to mention if you do have Aspergers or autism just so that the hypnotist can be aware of that and phrase things in the most suitable way for you. From my limited knowledge of Aspergers and autism, I would expect that some hypnotherapists would use language and techniques that wouldn't be suitable.

Hypnosis does have a problem in that it's often overlooked because of the lack of scientific data. That's because it's difficult to test hypnosis in the traditional scientifc tests. It's not like testing pills where you can't tell if it's the real thing or a placebo. Someone knows if they've been hypnotised so you can't do a double blind test. Also, if hypnosis is done properly then you can't just repeat the same old thing to people because the best effects are achieved when it's personal and individual to the client. Also, there isn't the vast amount of money available for hypnosis research that the drugs companies have. There is quite a bit of research around though, it just doesn't tend to be that well publicised because hypnosis can't really be offered as a product like a drug.

There are a variety of techniques, some of them ones that are what people would consider to be traditional hypnosis techniques and others that still use hypnosis but may not be as well known. EMDR, EFT and Chinosis are techniques that I often use alongside hypnosis and are also very effective. Some hypnosis is about relaxaing and focusing but techniques such as EFT and Chinosis are much more interactive and can be used as self help technqiues as well.

I would emphasise that if you are considering hpynosis then visit some websites, find a person that you think you'd feel comfortable with, talk to them on the phone or email them so that you pick the right person for you.

I hope that helps.

Best Wishes
Sharon Stiles
Hypnotist, NLP, CBT, EFT and Chinosis practitioner

I tried hypnoses on myself by playing a recording I got from a book. It sort of worked a bit, I just tried it to see if I could get to sleep.

I used to sleep walk when I was a kid, at one stage I would do it every second night. I remember walking up and having a weird idea in my head. So I think that is hypnoses

I'd say yes, It is said that hypnosis is "Mind control", and you can 'Use' people with it, Like the Imperious curse in Harry Potter. It is nothing like that, it is just a simple matter of making you think a different way.

It's fake I believe
Have you seen that car commerical where they try to hypotise you? It doesn't work...

Hypnosis is real. Many people misunderstand what hypnosis actually is and some people are more susceptible than others, but it is real.

You don't wave a shiny object in front of a person and tell them "you are getting sleepy." Hypnosis is actually more similar to meditation, and it requires cooperation, no hypnotist can hypnotize you unless you are willing to cooperate. All it is is that the hypnotist will make suggestions to try to get you as relaxed as possible, when you are almost asleep your responsiveness to the hypnotist's suggestions of whatever are heightened. Hypnosis is mostly used either during certain psychological experiments, or to help people overcome phobias, addiction, pain, or stress. It really does work for some people.

It takes much longer than 30 seconds and unless you are extraordinarily susceptible the hypnotist won't be able to make you quack like a duck.

I hope that clears up some misconceptions.

Hypnosis is real. I know, because I've been hypnotised (therapeutically, not for a stage show). The meditative state it put me in was very relaxing and peaceful, and time seemed to pass a lot faster on the outside than it did for me - I really thought only around half an hour had passed when actually I'd been under for an entire hour!

Pity I can't afford to keep doing it, because I would go into work the next day with a real swagger in my step. These days the positive effects I gained from it are almost totally gone