hypnosis / hypnotherapy

[calluna]

A cd like the one my ex-colleague made for me could be generic, yes, or specially made.

I don't think you are making light of your dissociative disorder, you are simply explaining it as you see it, and what could be more real and truthful than that? It would not be problematic with hypnotherapy, provided you are working with an appropriately qualified and experienced therapist.

I would suggest that the person you are looking for is probably going to be already working with a local Pain Clinic, this is what several of my ex-colleagues have been doing - and getting some excellent results, too.

[Karyn]

Hmmmm ...
I'm finding this topic most intriguing. I never would've thought of hypnosis for pain control before. I wonder why it's not more widely known? I'll have to do some research on this. Have you ever tried it Calluna?

[calluna]

Yes, of course! There are many ways of doing this, basically we do not 'remove' the pain (could be dangerous to completely remove pain) instead we 'turn it down' and enable the client to distance themself from it - and, vitally, teach the client to do this for themself in between sessions. I can do it for others, but unfortunately I am not very good at self hypnosis. But I do find my deep relaxation (aka hypnosis) and 'feel good' CD very helpful, and I am continuing to work on it!

I am sure that it is not more widely known because doctors prefer to have the whole of a procedure - including anaesthesia - under their own control. You will find dentists using it sometimes, over here at least - I would be wary of this, though, I have encountered people doing this without being appropriately qualified.

Pain Clinics are usually open to anything that will help their patients - or should be.

[Celeste]

HM, here's an idea...check and see if there's somebody in your area who offers HypnoBirthing classes. It's not widely publicized, but some women do take hypnosis training to use for pain management in labor and delivery so they can avoid taking any kind of medication. It seems really analagous to what you're looking for in pain management, and chances are there's somebody not too far away.

[HerMajesty]

Thanks for the ideas, Celeste a Calluna! I will hopefully get a chance to mount an aggressive search soon; life during business hours has been very, well, busy
Karyn you crack me up...your Mom knows all about hypnosis for pain control but you never got the idea until I brought it up...that is what is called "family dynamics" Maybe she could recommend somebody who would make housecalls during the post surgical period, since you lack appreciation for drugs.

[Karyn]

Karyn you crack me up...your Mom knows all about hypnosis for pain control but you never got the idea until I brought it up...that is what is called "family dynamics" Maybe she could recommend somebody who would make housecalls during the post surgical period, since you lack appreciation for drugs.

Oh, I know it!

[ezer]

I tried both hypnosis (with a well known professional) and self-hypnosis. It "kind" of works but for a very short time.
If the pain is mild, I am sure that it is a good solution but to convince yourself that your "7 or 8" is really just a mild "2" discomfort is impossible.

[Karyn]

If the pain is mild, I am sure that it is a good solution but to convince yourself that your "7 or 8" is really just a mild "2" discomfort is impossible.

Thanks for the input, Ezer. I really don't understand how you can trick your brain into thinking you're a level 2, with 7 or 8 physical pathology causing the pain.
What you said makes sense.

[calluna]

I tried both hypnosis (with a well known professional) and self-hypnosis. It "kind" of works but for a very short time.
If the pain is mild, I am sure that it is a good solution but to convince yourself that your "7 or 8" is really just a mild "2" discomfort is impossible.

When the pain is up to 7 or 8 - and I class labour pains at about 8 - the problem is keeping the focus for long enough to actually do anything about the pain. I class 6 as the point where you start being unable to think clearly, but the time it hits 7 you really cannot think of much else, let alone when it is at 8.

It is not really a case of convincing yourself of anything - you know that the pain is there but it doesn't bother you, you don't feel it in the same way. Hypnosis has been used many times as the only anaesthesia for major surgery, it is very effective pain relief.

Remember also, that hypnosis for pain relief in labour has been used for quite a while now. The thing is to get the person into a good hypnotic state before the pain really gets going - it is the same as for any pain relief really. Much easier to keep it damped down, rather than waiting for it get going full blast and then try to rein it in. I am mixing metaphors all over the place here but I hope you see what I mean.

Self hypnosis, unfortunately, is something that I too find difficult, so you are not alone there.

[ezer]

Calluna,
I reckon it is very difficult to find words to describe hypnosis. It has to be experienced. But for me the bottom line is that using hypnosis and self hypnosis did not have a lasting effect on this constant gnawing pain thus I eventually abandoned (and in fact I experienced diminishing return after each session). I do not think my case is unique but you may have a more positive experience. I had 6 sessions and the practitioner also trained me to do self-hypnosis.
I don't mean to discourage anybody to try but my experience was overall quite mediocre.