Other Side of the Coin: Disadvantages of Hypnosis for children

Hypnosis for children to resolve or address some issues or problems regarding

behaviour or health is called hypnotherapy. In hypnotherapy, children use their
daydreams to change their behaviours, sensations and other symptoms. Not everybody
can be a hypnotherapist. A trained health and psychiatric profession is needed to
put children, also adults, into hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy or using hypnosis for treatments used to be unthinkable. Most people

and patients alike, tend to think that hypnotherapists would require their patient
to walk, cluck like chickens when hypnotized. One major disadvantage of this
treatment, is the lack of support it has endured as an alternative treatment.

But currently, things are starting to shape up for hypnotic treatment. There are
medical groups who are starting to recognize the potential of hypnotherapy in
treating illnesses and dealing with disorders.

In 1958, the American Medical Association, already recognized hypnosis as a form of

treatment. The American Psychological Association has acknowledged hypnosis as
treatment years ago. The National Institute of Health expressed it support for
hypnotherapy as a method of relieving pain for cancer patients in 1995.

But still regardless of the medical endorsements, there is still a prevailing

outlook that hypnosis as a treatment is negative and images of funny people on
hypnotic state conjures up to our mind.

Another disadvantage of hypnotherapy is that there are children or people who

cannot be hypnotized at all. Children who show psychotic symptoms are not
compatible with hypnotic treatment. While children or teen-agers using drugs or
alcohol also prove to be poor hypnotic patients.

Hypnotherapy is best recommended for children ages 5 and above. Children, unlike
adults, are more in touch with their imaginative side. This could be either
beneficial or detrimental in the hypnosis process. That is why different
approaches should be used based on different age and characteristics.

Hypnotherapy can also be done by parents to their children. Experts say that
children with ages seven to eight are in the hypnotic state most of the time even
when there is no hypnotist around. On these ages, children take in suggestion very
seriously. Parents who tend not to be too sensitive with what they say to their
children may say some remarks which can be both hurtful and have some effect on
their self-esteem.

This is why children who are undergoing hypnotherapy tends to be sensitive to what
is around them remember that hypnotherapy and its positive effects can be turned
into rubble when negative energy surrounds the child. Parents should be sensitive
with what they say and suggest to their children.

Sometimes a hypnotherapist may forget to remove the suggestions of the hypnotic

sessions. If a child is undergoing therapy for pain management, this could pose a
problem. When under these kind of treatment, children may run into accidents or
serious problem which may cause serious injury and not get any proper treatment.
It is important for parents to take note of these when sessions for hypnosis of
children is done.

It is important to remember that these disadvantages of using hypnosis for children

is more of a social prejudice. There are some people who regard hypnosis as
control or manipulation of one�s mind and body which is completely untrue.
Hypnotherapy when properly done could render positive and massive results. Most of
our fear about hypnotherapy is rooted on how it was viewed in the past, which is
mostly myths.