Seeking advice:Hypnosis gradually STOPS working with each successive practice esor me

[eccles1214]

After years of procrastination and interruptions, I finally sat down with a weekend self-hypnosis book and an article on self-hypnosis, when the rest of the family was away on a weekend trip, taught myself how to hypnotize myself. Through the weekend, I learned how to use a pendulum, ideomotor coordination and signalling, trigger words, eyelid catalepsy, and arm levitation for deepening.

At first, I was able to develop a medium level of trance. I noticed right away that there was a distinct difference between my conscious state and my trance state. Through the use of timing a key word to my eyelid closing, I was able to trigger subsequent trances. I then used eyelid catalepsy and arm levitation to deepen the trance.

But something strange seems to be occurring whenever I practice my self-hypnosis. With each trial session, the "shift" into trance is less and less noticeable and gradually less distinct from normal consciousness. My ability to have eyelid catalepsy or arm levitation is waning; I have to be continually more conscious of these states. They are no longer automatic when "under." Worse still, my trigger word not longer seems to trigger a hypnotic state.

In other words, the more I practice self-hypnosis, the less effective it is becoming. I seem to be regressing rather than becoming more skilled.

Help! Can anyone help me figure out why this may be happening and how to reverse it?

Or I am doing this all wrong?

[Jack]

Hello,

The ability to enter a trance state is only the ability to replicate states you have already experienced(unaware) in your life. The main differences are: that you have control of when it occurs and time duration, and that you can improve the depth of trance by repetition so that your brain understands what it is you are trying to achieve.

Therefore, it seems to me that you have not lost the ability but have lost some measure of control. Why? is the question, and I think it unlikely you will get the answer on your own. The solution is to see a good hypnotherapist, go into trance and ask the question. There is always a reason why behaviours change, but it is often not directly accessible using self-hypnosis.

Take heart; you have done it once you can do it again.

Jack

[Don]

Eccles, I don't know how old you are, but I'm going to assume you're an adult and can drive a car. If not, change this explanation to riding a bicycle or skateboard.

Do you remember when you were learning how to drive? You started and stopped and jerked to a halt. Going backwards resulted in you weaving around and parallel parking was a disaster.

But now, things are different. You drive smoothly. You get to where you're going quickly and safely. Backing up and parallel parking may be easier.

When you were learning, you had to pay attention to every detail. Put on the brake. Put car in gear. Look in mirror. Etc. Now you do all of these things automatically and achieve your goal without even thinking about it.

So resepectfully, is it possible that what was once a special experience has simply become something quite natural? In your post you do not mention having been to a hypnotist so you may not be aware of what being hypnotized is like and may be assuming that you're not in a hypnotic state when, in fact, you really are.

How can you tell? Well, the truth is, certain tests for being hypnotized, such as eyelid catalepsy and arm levitation are far more difficult with self-hypnosis (autohypnosis) as opposed to when someone hypnotizes you (heterohypnosis).

But so what?

Is your goal with hypnosis to keep your eyes closed or make your arm float? Respectfully, those are not very practical goals. So why are you practicing self-hypnosis? Do you want to get more relaxed? Do you want to change a behavior? What are your goals?

Are you achieving your goals? If so, itsn't that more important than getting your arm to float? I would think so. If not, that is what needs to be analyzed. My guess would be that the presentation of suggestions is not being done well. That can be easily corrected.