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What does it feel like to be in a trance?
It is a common misconception that trance is a state of unconsciousness
like sleep or being in a coma.
In hypnosis you are often consciously aware of your thoughts and
surroundings. However, you may still be pleasantly surprised by
an unconscious response such as a 'hand levitation' or a pleasant
memory springing to mind. This is similar to the way in which we
might be ‘surprised' by a giggling fit or blushing (also unconscious
responses).
The most accurate description of the hypnotic state is a ‘parallel
awareness'. The hypnotized person knows who and where they are,
but is also strongly focused on internal realities such as sensations,
memories or imagination.
Occasionally after trance, a person may have little recollection
of the content of the trance itself. This ‘amnesia' occurs in the
same way that it does when you awake from a dream. Often you are
aware that you have had a dream, but can’t remember what it was.
To learn more about how to do hypnosis and what it feels like, you
may like to have a look at our Hypnosis
DVD.
The following are all examples of trance states:
- Anger
- Depression
- High Anxiety or Panic
- Obsessive or Compulsive Behaviour
- Addictive Behaviour
It has been shown that people with phobias are almost always great hypnotic subjects! If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be able to create and maintain a phobic response as it requires a narrowed focus of attention.
The phobia acts just like a ‘post hypnotic suggestion' on a stage show. The hypnotist says ‘When I click my fingers, you’ll dance like Elvis' The spider says ‘When you see me, you’ll have a high anxiety response'
Next, Negative Hypnosis
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