somnambulism

[millie]

could someone tell me what somnambulism is? I am having hynotherapy for anxiety and come here to learn- I see reference to this but never what it is?
I listen to the tape made by my doctor at home as well as with him I have been listening before going to sleep sometimes I fall asleep listening! Is there a problem with this? I read the other post about sleep hynosis and wondered?
thanks! Judy

[Merlin]

Did you read my FAQ?

>Q. What is somnambulism?

Somnambulism is a particular hypnotic state where you are significantly more suggestible. Somnambulism is the state where you will completely and readily accept a suggestion of anesthesia or amnesia. Somnambulism then is a good state for surgery. There are some people who claim all trance is the same, and the trance of driving a car is just as good as somnambulistic hypnosis. But I doubt you would want an appendix removed with just the level of trance you get from driving in a car... ouch!
If all trance were equally effective, surgeons would just use TV in the operating rooms instead of anesthesiologists.
Somnambulism is also the state where you readily accept suggestions of hallucination. Achieving somnambulism in a subject should take one minute or less. The commonly used progressive relaxation methods of inducing hypnosis often never achieve somnambulism.

[millie]

Thanks for your quick reply. My doc does use relaxation with me however I do hallucinate. All I know is whatever I am feeling is heaven compared to every day feelings!! I am able to go into a relaxed state by counting backwards and deep breathing! I have had severe anxiety for 50 years and I find hypnosis a wonderful method!! Thanks, Judy :D