What are some additional myths and realities about hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not a reliable tool for memory recovery. There is some evidence that hypnosis can refresh memory under very specific circumstances. For example one study found that hypnosis can improve the working memory of people whose memory has been impacted by a TBI. However there is abundant evidence that hypnosis can implant false memories. What’s more people who recover memories under hypnosis often have unjustified confidence that these memories are real even though there is potential that they are not. A study at Ohio State University found that participants who recovered memories under hypnosis were significantly less likely to doubt their memories about when certain events occurred if they recalled these events under hypnosis than if they recalled them when not hypnotized even though the dates they identified were not correct. No memory recovered during hypnosis can be trusted unless it is independently verified.
An individual’s ability to respond to verbal suggestions is the key to hypnosis success. The effectiveness of hypnosis depends on the individual. Some people are much more responsive to hypnotic suggestions than others and thus more likely to find hypnosis successful. By some measures perhaps 10% to 15% of people are highly susceptible to hypnosis…15 to 20% are not particularly responsive and the rest fall somewhere in between. Hypnosis suggestibility is a cognitive trait that is highly stable over time and is the primary factor that shapes and influences how people respond to hypnosis. But as in all treatment contexts other factors also play some role such as motivation. Someone who is highly motivated and excited to try hypnosis will have a better treatment outcome than someone who is reluctant to try hypnosis.
In the next blog post I will talk about some other myths and realities of hypnosis. If you have questions about whether hypnosis is the right tool for you, please feel free to contact me at 361.442.9590 or holtadams2002@yahoo.com.