Hypnosis for medical indications. What diseases do patients come to a Vitebsk hypnotherapist with?

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There are only a few specialists like Svetlana Marchenko in the Vitebsk region. Not every psychiatrist or psychotherapist uses hypnotherapy in their practice, but Svetlana Arkadyevna has been doing it for over 30 years. Even during our phone conversation, her calming, relaxing voice captivated me.

However, despite all my arguments, I couldn't arrange a full hypnosis session.

- Hypnosis is a serious intervention in the subconscious, and it cannot be used without medical indications, the doctor explained to me. - The fact is that many people have psychological problems hidden deep in their subconscious. In most cases, they remain there throughout their lives and do not cause trouble. But if a person is put into a hypnotic sleep, the consequences can be unpredictable.

I decided not to experiment with my psyche, and we agreed on a relaxing trance session.

And so I recline in a comfortable armchair opposite Svetlana Arkadyevna. The office is dimly lit, with relaxing music playing. According to the doctor, the key to hypnosis is the selection of specific words and a quiet, comfortable environment. Cinematic props like swinging pendulums or balls in front of the patient's eyes, much like the music, are not essential. Sometimes they merely speed up the process of entering a semi-conscious state. A therapeutic session typically lasts 40-45 minutes. However, the patient usually feels that much less time has passed. The doctor maintains constant contact with the patient through questions. Losing this contact and allowing the person to fall into a deep sleep is considered a serious flaw in the hypnotherapist's work. However, according to Svetlana Marchenko, there's nothing terrible about it, as hypnosis is an intermediate state between wakefulness and sleep. In such a case, the patient would simply fall asleep and wake up on their own after a few hours. But the doctor's goal is to treat with hypnosis, not to put people to sleep.

- Do not help me and do not hinder me, - Svetlana Arkadyevna requested before the session.

I had no intention of doing so; I turned on the voice recorder, relaxed, and began to listen to the doctor.

Svetlana Marchenko's voice is quiet and soothing. It truly makes you want to forget your problems and relax. What the heck! Forgetting my natural skepticism, I listened only to the doctor's words, imagining what she was saying.

I feel sleepy, every word hits the mark, and it even feels like I'm breathing easier.

Svetlana Marchenko brought me out of my semi-conscious state by counting. The session took no more than 10 minutes, but afterward, it felt as if I had slept for several hours; my mind felt clearer, and my optimism increased. It's hard to believe that simple words, in general, can have such an effect on the body. Amazing!

I had quite a few questions, and Svetlana Arkadyevna kindly answered them.

The Hypnotic Triangle

- As I understand it, hypnosis is not entirely harmless?

- Indeed, a hypnotherapy session without medical indications can provoke a mental disorder. Our psyche is like a triangle. One of its vertices is the preconscious, the second is the conscious itself, and the third is the subconscious, which, according to psychiatrists, accounts for 95% of the human brain's activity. Hypnosis precisely opens the door to the subconscious, helps to know oneself, to identify and resolve the problem that is bothering. It should be understood that hypnosis is not a panacea and not a cure for all diseases. It is used in complex therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders.

- So what is hypnosis?

- It is a borderline state between sleep and wakefulness, a trance into which a doctor puts a patient with words. But we ourselves are often in a trance. For example, early in the morning, when we seem to have woken up, but are still dozing. During a therapeutic hypnotic session, the doctor helps to establish communication with the subconscious and, if possible, to correct it.

- In which cases is hypnotherapy usually prescribed and when is it contraindicated?

- Hypnosis is used in the fight against stress, anxiety states, neuroses, pain, and various phobias. It helps children who suffer from enuresis or fears. They are more suggestible and do not analyze their behavior to the same extent as adults, which means it is easier to work with their subconscious.

Hypnosis is contraindicated in case of high temperature, fainting, hallucinations, epilepsy, and poisoning. It is not very effective for highly suggestible people who consider hypnosis a panacea for all diseases and, conversely, for those who do not want to contact a specialist. In general, hypnosis is effective only if the patient truly wants to help themselves.

- Is it possible to manipulate a person in a trance state?

- Rather no than yes. It is worth distinguishing between medical and stage hypnosis. In the first case, the doctor's goal is to help the patient relax or solve a problem that is causing distress. The goal of stage hypnosis is entertainment or profit. Indeed, a person under hypnosis may feel weightless, that is, for example,

But in any case, it is impossible to force a person under hypnosis to do something they do not want to do. For example, to answer inappropriate questions. Even the subconscious has a certain restraining filter. If the hypnotist tries to manipulate, the person will either stop responding, fall asleep, or come out of the trance on their own.

- What about the stories with gypsies who

- This is so-called Erickson hypnosis, named after its developer, that is, hypnosis while awake, without entering a trance. The ability to suggest is instilled from childhood, and the experience is passed down from generation to generation. The simplest technology is used: a suggestible person is chosen, usually young girls in difficult life situations. Then, looking them straight in the eyes, they are shocked with a specific verbal combination and "taken under control". But such a connection is very weak; it is enough to look away or simply pinch yourself, and you will break free from the influence.

But Roma are not the only ones trying to manipulate us. Today, many salespeople also resort to this, using the latest advanced NLP (neuro-linguistic programming - author's note) technologies. We should not forget about the 25th frame effect, which was constantly present in TV advertising in the tough 1990s.

- Are there people who cannot be hypnotized?

- In clinical settings and with the patient's consent, anyone can be hypnotized. With low suggestibility, the doctor will simply need a little more time. It is usually easier to work with women and children.

- Can hypnosis be used, for example, to solve crimes?

- Attempts were made to do this at one time, but scientists proved that it is not very effective. The fact is that our brain, especially under stress, can generate false memories that a person sometimes cannot distinguish from real ones. If necessary, not hypnosis is used, but special psychotropic drugs that inhibit the will, which are also called truth serum.

- Can hypnosis change a person's character, their attitude to life?

- With the patient's consent, to some extent, this is possible. During sessions, a person can be convinced to look at the world from a different point of view, to choose a different course of action. This is especially necessary for people in stressful situations.

- What is your attitude towards self-hypnosis?

- Positively. I sometimes resort to it myself, especially when I need to relieve toothache or headache. Autosuggestion is most effective early in the morning, when you just woke up, or late in the evening, before falling asleep. It is necessary to mentally repeat a certain verbal formula, for example,

- In conclusion, tell us a little about yourself. Why did you choose such a complex science as psychiatry?

- My parents are doctors, I am from the village of Slobodka, Braslav district, where in Soviet times there was the main center of psychiatry in the country - the republican psychiatric hospital. My father is a famous psychiatrist. I also became interested in this: from the first year of medical institute, I was involved in a scientific club, and from the fourth year, I worked as a nurse in the regional psychiatric hospital. I studied hypnotherapy at advanced training courses in Kharkiv. At that time, there was no such opportunity in the BSSR.

- Can every doctor practice hypnosis?

- In principle, any psychotherapist has basic skills in hypnotherapy. Although, of course, not everyone will achieve success in this. You need to love your profession, be able to empathize, and have a burning desire to help the patient. Work hard on yourself.

- Thank you for the meeting!

Alexander Kutynko, "Vitebskiye Vesti"