As we watch the scene unfold, we see someone standing in front of the seated person, who waves a pocket watch in front of the person, who has his eyes closed, chanting, “I’m getting sleepy. I’m so sleepy.”
Is this what you think of when someone mentions hypnosis? Me too, until recently.
Last week I met with a friend and new client to discuss building a website. They are hypnotherapists, so I decided to try hypnosis for the first time. However, I was nervous and skeptical, and a bit worried about how it might affect my Myasthenia Gravis (MG).
I’ve seen plenty of warnings that myasthenic patients should be careful when using topical medications to relax — lavender, for example, is an amazing plant with dozens of medicinal properties — but I’ve heard anecdotes of lavender helping MG patients relax a bit. Too As a result, symptoms worsen.
As the day drew closer to my step into so-called hypnotherapy, I began doing research so I could feel more comfortable and prepared for my appointment. I discovered that hypnotherapy originated in the 1700s and has been recognized as a legitimate form of treatment by the American Medical Association since 1958. Who knew?
I felt at ease because I asked all the questions I needed to, and I felt like I was one step ahead because I knew and trusted this person.
During the check-in process, I filled out a form that allowed me to define the focus of my sessions. I decided to focus on pain management and helping people feel less guilty when asking for or accepting help.
The session was short, but when it was over I was totally stunned.
Expectations and reality
I went into the session with no expectations, and I must have screwed up, because what I experienced was not what I expected. When I got home and described to my husband what the experience had been like, the most “non-mystical” explanation I could come up with was that it was like a guided meditation conducted by a wellness professional with hundreds of hours of training. do not have People who wave clocks and crow roosters.
I’m not sure why I was so surprised — after all, the Mayo Clinic describes hypnosis as “an altered state of consciousness and increased relaxation that improves focus and attention” — but I was taken aback by the stark difference between expectation and reality.
During the session I was relaxed but aware of my surroundings and what was going on. Before the appointment I was worried that I would lose control, but the experience made me realise more You’re back in control, and now you have another tool to help you manage your health.
As someone with chronic health issues, I’m constantly bombarded with suggestions of “miracle cures” like drinking celery juice or thinking happy thoughts that will make my symptoms better, so I half-expected hypnotherapy to be a similar experience, but I was wrong.
I left the meeting with not only the information I needed to build a great website for my friend, but also a new sense of gratitude and peace. I am grateful for this wonderful place I can call home and I feel at peace knowing that my positive affirmations of accepting the help I need may actually work. Only time will tell.
Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is a website that provides news and information about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to stimulate discussion about issues relating to myasthenia gravis.
