How do you know you were hypnotized?
Feelings and memories are more accessible in a hypnotic state, so you are likely to have a memorable emotional response to the Hypnotherapy process, and that arousal is the fuel for pivoting on an old behavior.
Also, in deeper states of hypnotic relaxation, like when playing a Self-Hypnosis recording, you might drift off and not recall the details of the storyline as the desired theme eventually becomes your new personal narrative through repetition.
Both experiences are common with Hypnosis.
Hypnosis is not sleep, but a natural, normal, relaxed and focused state of attention characterized by:
Feelings of well-being
Increased muscle relaxation
Increased pain threshold
Predominating Alpha brain waves
Diminished ability to vocalize
Flashback access of stressful or positive memories
Literal, childlike understanding of ideas
Ability to accept new ideas and beliefs about yourself if they are sufficiently amplified and not in conflict with your values
Simply put, Hypnosis is a focusing and amplifying technique, and as a Hypnotherapist I think of myself as a good tour guide.
There are three conditions that must be met in order for a person to be successful at using forms of Hypnosis.
First, the person must not be in a psychotic process or in the midst of a serious thought disorder like schizophrenia.
Second, the person must have an adequate IQ and be able to follow directions.
Third, the person must agree to be hypnotized. You cannot hypnotize a person against their will.
So if you can focus your attention, use your imagination, and can hold a job, then you can use hypnosis successfully for personal growth, so long as you want to be hypnotized and commit to using Self-Hypnosis reinforcement techniques.
With adequate insight and self-examination, coupled with an understanding and first hand experience of hypnotically induced trance states, you will realize that most of your personal rituals and repetitive behaviors (helpful or unhelpful) naturally induce you into a light hypnotic trance, a "flow" state of narrowed attention, like when watching TV, reading, knitting, working on a jigsaw puzzle, or unfortunately, smoking.
A trance can be any kind of state of narrowed and focused attention where you are totally oblivious to your surroundings and unaware of time passing.
You can be in a focused, work trance or in a creative, day-dreaming trance, or an exercise trance.
Some trance states are more productive than others, yet mostly we use trance states to unwind, like before bedtime or watching TV. It is exhausting to remain in a state of hyper-vigilance for extended periods of time! Without adequate trance time during the day, you probably won't sleep very well.
So if you are going to go into hypnosis everyday anyway, a qualified Hypnotherapist can show you how to get the most out of it.
Contact Ken Steinmetz, CCHT at 415-775-7797 to schedule your free, 30 minute consultation and hypnotic screening at his San Francisco office location to find out how Hypnosis can work for you! Ken also makes Personalized Self-Hypnosis MP3 Recordings from his website.