THE 5 W’s OF HYPNOSIS

The Five Ws, the 5W1H, or the Six Ws are questions whose answers are considered basic in information-gathering or problem-solving. They constitute a formula for getting the complete story on a subject. So let’s apply these questions today to get the whole picture about hypnosis and hypnotherapy, from my point of view and experience. 

Today will respond the first question: WHO?
 
1. WHO can be hypnotized?

              Everyone enters altered states naturally in the course of their everyday activities. What is an altered state? Any time your awareness wanders away from the analytical, reasoning mind you are entering what is called an altered state.  For example when you take a nap your brain wave activity changes from beta to alpha wave function, at which point you are in an altered state. Daydreaming is another example of a naturally occurring altered state.  While daydreaming you use your imagination and emotions to create an event or something that you desire and so that body begins to react as if the event was real, causing you to enter into a light hypnotic state. Focused attention naturally alters your state of consciousness. When you focused on a project or when you watch your favorite movie, you stop paying attention to other external stimulus, and any noises like telephone ringing or human voices do not distract you, it is likely you are in a light hypnotic trance.

Understanding that the altered state (hypnosis) is naturally occurring and knowing the characteristics of this process creates success in inducing hypnosis.

Educating the client before a session, creating rapport with them, gaining their confidence, exciting the imagination by explaining what is possible for them through using their inner resources and help them create positive expectations and then refocused their attention, by distracting the client from whatever could distract them from entering hypnosis, all of this makes everyone capable to enter a hypnotic state.

​Theoretically this is true, but there may be psychological reasons that someone is resistant to being hypnotized which might make it very difficult for that person to relax enough the gatekeeper of subconscious mind to enter a hypnotic state.  This resistance can be overcome by creating a very strong rapport with the client, so he/she can trust you enough to let go of the resistance.  

Usually people who are certain that they can’t be hypnotized have a deep need for control and think that if they allow themselves to be hypnotized they will be giving up control. This is a paradox, because during hypnosis the only one who has the control is actually the client.  

---