What are the typical misconceptions about hypnosis?
Whilst many people are aware of the concept of hypnosis, this is primarily due to stage shows and TV programmes. There tends to be much less awareness of clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy and the positive benefits it brings to so many people.
This general lack of awareness usually leads to scepticism about hypnosis. Typically, comments may be along the lines of:
"the hypnotist will take control of my mind"
"you'll make me run around like a headless chicken"
"I don't want to lose control"
"I'll be brainwashed"
"It's all hocus-pocus"
"I can't be hypnotised"
This last statement is the only potentially true one - if someone strongly rejects the idea then they cannot be made to achieve a hypnotic state. However, anyone open to the idea can easily do so.
There have also been media stories and claims that people have been put into a hypnotic trance and got 'stuck' in it. This, quite simply, could never happen - hypnosis is purely a totally relaxed state and nobody can ever get 'stuck' in relaxation!
And then there is Hollywood's portrayal of the hypnotist - dark, sinister, a swinging watch, taking over our hero's mind and making him evil - simply not possible, as under hypnosis nobody can be made to do something that they do not wish to do or say.
