Here is a list of the most common questions regarding self-hypnosis and cognitive therapy.
What is self-hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of relaxed focused attention and being more open to information and suggestions. If you have ever been driving a car and were so focused that you barely noticed the miles going by, that is sort of like hypnosis. Self-hypnosis is learning how to enter this relaxed, focused, open state yourself. Using hypnosis alone is known to reduce pain.
What is the cognitive therapy part?
All pain goes through the brain. Therefore, how the brain processes the information from the body influences how much we hurt. Certain thought patterns are known to increase pain. Other thought patterns dampen pain as it goes through the brain. Cognitive therapy involves identifying and changing thinking patterns to dampen pain.
How do hypnosis and cognitive therapy work together?
With self-hypnosis cognitive therapy people learn how to enter a relaxed, state of focused attention and openness and give themselves suggestions to think about their pain in ways that are more positive, comfortable, and reassuring.
Why are you researching this therapy?
There is evidence that combining hypnosis and cognitive therapy has a bigger impact on pain than either therapy alone. With practice, the combined therapies can also produce lasting changes in pain. We are pretty convinced the therapy works when people learn it from a therapist in a clinic. We want to know if people can learn it from a therapist in a series of telephone calls.
What will I get from this study?
If you are randomly assigned to the treatment group you will learn how to enter a state of focused attention and then make suggestions to change how you think about and experience pain. You will learn to use self-hypnosis to experience an immediate reduction in pain intensity or pain bothersomeness that can last for hours or even days. As you practice, the benefits of self-hypnosis and changing your thinking can result in permanent improvements in pain and how much pain impacts your life.
Will hypnosis make me do things I do not want to do?
Hypnosis cannot make you do things that you are not willing to do. You will always remain in control. The suggestion you give yourself will be ones you choose and ones that are aimed at making you feel more comfortable. Mostly you will practice self-hypnosis on your own. You can stop the hypnosis at any time you wish.