Sanders Hypnosis responds to Baltimore Sun story, "Be a helpful cheerleader."

Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, of Tribune Newspapers, wrote an interesting and entertaining story that was published today entitled, "Be a helpful cheerleader: When a loved one needs to change, nagging just won't work."

This story discussed the ups and downs of a wife who encouraged her husband to change his eating habits in order for them to both lose weight together. We hope this will encourage other couples to do the same, but we understand how difficult it is to take away food that another desires. As such, we sent the author our response:

Dear Ms. Elejalde-Ruiz,

I read your article today, "Be a helpful cheerleader" in the Baltimore Sun. It was a very enjoyable read with a positive, real-life spin. I hope your article will motivate couples to do the same as the two you wrote about. 

I am the director of the Sanders Hypnosis Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland and work with weight loss clients on a daily basis. As such, there is a shortcoming in your article that I would like to point out. We have found that the reason why most individuals overeat is a psychological one. As a concerned spouse, it might be tempting to eliminate that pizza or hamburger from a loved one's diet, but if that person wants it they will eventually get it. Think about a child who is told to stay away from the cookie jar. The temptation for a cookie may have been there before, but now that he is told he can't have it, he will desire the delicious contents inside the jar even more! 

This is precisely why diets fail. People are told to abstain from foods they want. As a result, they want it even more! This discussion is, coincidentally, a timely one in that World Hypnotism Day will be celebrated by hypnotists around the world on January 4th. At the Sanders Hypnosis Center, our clients deal with the psychological aspects of their eating problems. Our approach is very unique in that, with hypnosis, our clients believe they have a gastric band fitted around their stomachs. As a result, they are less hungry. For example, individuals who once would eat an entire pizza are now satisfied by having only one slice. They still eat what they want, just much less of it.

Anyone with questions about how hypnosis can help them with their weight loss goals should visit www.SandersHypnosis.com or call the Sanders Hypnosis Center at 443-494-9766.

"Quit smoking? It's tough but not impossible" in the Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun published an article today entitled, "Quit smoking? It's tough but not impossible" in their Ask The Expert section. Christine Schutzman, coordinator of the Freshstart Smoking Cessation Program at St. Joseph's Medical Center, is featured describing the extremely addictive nature of nicotine and the benefits of counseling.

I believe that counseling only touches the surface of the smoking habit and doesn't deal with the psychological aspects. As such, I was perplexed as to why hypnosis was not listed as an option. I sent an email to the writer, Meredith Cohn, which reads:

Dear Ms. Cohn,

I read your article today, "Quit smoking? It's tough but not impossible." I enjoyed it very much and it helped bring to light many truths about just how addictive nicotine is. However, this article fell short in a particular area, which I would like to address. 

One of the most important aspects of a smoking cessation program is behavior modification. This was merely touched upon in the last paragraph of the article. The habits associated with smoking are embedded in the subconscious mind. For example, the hand to mouth movements, the routine most smokers have of "lighting up" upon waking, after meals, and while driving, and also triggers occurring in our daily lives such as stress and anxiety. These are all imprinted below the surface of our conscious awareness.

As such, I was very disappointed to see that hypnotherapy was not listed as an effective option to quit smoking. At the Sanders Hypnosis Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland, we work with numerous individuals to quit smoking. Almost all of our clients have tried everything else ranging from the patch to Chantix. While these smoking cessation aids may curb the desire for nicotine, they do not deal with the psychological aspect of smoking and, as a result, they often return to their old, bad smoking habits.

This discussion about hypnosis for smoking cessation is a timely one, as World Hypnotism Day will be celebrated by hypnotists around the world on January 4th. As part of the combination therapies mentioned, hypnosis should be an option. My belief is that it should be the first option. Talk therapy, whether it be with a group, individually, online, or by phone, is certainly helpful and can provide positive reinforcement for the right person. However, it doesn't effectively deal with the subconscious issues, which can be easily and permanently addressed with hypnosis.

Anyone with questions about how hypnosis can assist with their smoking cessation program can visit our website at www.SandersHypnosis.com or call the Sanders Hypnosis Center at 443-494-9766.

Gambling Problem? We Can Help.

In America alone, problem gambling affects more than 15 million people. More than 3 million of these are considered severe problem gamblers, otherwise known as gambling addicts.

Problem gambling can strain your relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe. It may even lead you to do things you never thought possible, like stealing money to gamble or taking money meant for your children.

Now that Maryland has legalized casinos, we are now seeing the growth of a number of legal gambling venues akin to those in Delaware, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas. The slots located Hollywood Casino Perryville, Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills, and Ocean Downs in Berlin add to the already established horse racing gambling activities at Pimlico, Laurel Park, and others locations. With this growth, we are likely to see an increase in gambling problems.

Individuals who suffer from gambling problems may think they can't stop, but the Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland can help you. If you're ready to admit you have a problem and seek help, we can help you overcome your gambling problem and regain control of your life.

Myths About Problem Gambling

MYTH: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.
FACT: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.

MYTH: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
FACT: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.

MYTH: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.
FACT: Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.

MYTH: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
FACT: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.

Contact The Sanders Hypnosis Center today to get the help you need.

Proudly serving the communities of Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Columbia, Baltimore, Annapolis, Crofton, Millersville, Elkridge, Hanover, Perryville, Arundel Mills, Atlantic City, Cumberland, Rocky Gap, Berlin, Worcester, Hollywood Casino, Charles Town Races, Dover Downs, Midway Slots, Ocean Downs, Delaware Park, Arbutus, Dundalk, Essex, Westminster, Frederick, Arnold, Stevensville, and Catonsville.

Are You Battling Cancer? We Can Help!

WHAT IS A CANCER? In very simple terms, cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death. The National Cancer Society said that hypnosis may be useful for treating chronic pain and may be effective in reducing fear and anxiety, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches, controlling bleeding and pain, and may improve quality of life for some people with cancer. Click here to go the American Cancer Society's hypnosis information page. The Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland uses a four-way approach to aid cancer patients. The first type of session helps the cancer patient address the symptoms that they are experiencing from their particular type of cancer. Many times the actual treatment can produce many negative symptoms that hypnosis can help eliminate or decrease. The second way that hypnosis helps is by creating positive expectations of the future. The third type of hypnosis sessions deals with the emotional issues that are present in every cancer patient. Although cancer is attacking the physical body, the mental outlook must also be treated. Finally, the fourth element, and perhaps the most important, is dealing with the self-healing abilities of the clients. In many cases, we can travel to medical facilities or hospices throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area. WHAT CAN HYPNOSIS HELP WITH? There are literally dozens and dozens of ways hypnosis can help. If any of the following issues apply to you, we can help: Pain control Diarrhea Sexual responses Appetite Stress The Family Fears The prognosis Vision Post surgery Chemotherapy Sleep patterns Radiation Guilt Memory Stages of cancer Hospice Weight loss Numbness ATTENTION CAREGIVERS - We can also assist with many issues caregivers face, including: Lack of confidence Stress Feelings of being overwhelmed Take the first step and get in touch to make an appointment today. Proudly serving the communities of Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Columbia, Baltimore, Annapolis, Crofton, Millersville, Elkridge, Hanover, Arbutus, Dundalk, Essex, Westminster, Frederick, Arnold, Stevensville, and Catonsville, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, Washington, District of Columbia, Anne Arundel, Howard County, MD, PA, VA, Queen Anne's and more.

Common Q's & A's About Hypnosis

WHAT ABOUT HYPNOSIS?

Say the word "hypnosis," and many people immediately think of stage shows and of people doing unusual things. Other people think of pocket watches, or spirals twirling.  But it is now much more common for hypnotists simply to ask a subject to stare at a small, stationary object, such as a colored thumbtack on the wall, during the "induction patter," which usually consists of soothing words about relaxation and suggestions to focus and concentrate.

Whenever the subject of hypnosis is brought up, questions seem to arise with it. The following questions are asked repeatedly, by clients, of prospective clients, and of those who are simply curious. With answers to these questions, fears are put to rest, myths dispelled, and more people are able to allow themselves to experience the wonderful benefits of hypnosis to enhance their lives.

Common Questions & Answers:

Is hypnosis real? If so, how does it work?

Yes, it’s real.  Exactly how it works is still under investigation. Over the past few years, researchers have found that when someone is hypnotized, they actively respond to suggestions, even though they sometimes might perceive the dramatic changes in thought and behavior they experience as happening "by themselves." During hypnosis, it is as if the brain temporarily suspends its efforts to validate incoming sensory information, allowing new behaviors and thoughts to occur. And, some people are more hypnotizable than others, although scientists still don't know why.

Is hypnosis medically approved?

Hypnosis was first officially recognized as a viable therapeutic tool by the British Government through the Hypnotism Act in 1952. Then, in 1958 both the British and the American Medical Associations (AMA) sanctioned the official use of hypnosis by physicians. In 1958, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) also approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals.

Prestigious hospitals in the U.S. now use and teach hypnosis, such as Stanford University School of Medicine in San Francisco, the Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Since the AMA sanctioned the use of hypnosis, many insurance companies cover hypnosis for medical and dental uses, including major surgeries.  Now, more and more people are choosing hypnosis over anesthesia for surgery. Some choose hypnosis simply because they fear not waking up from anesthesia. The fear-factor aside, however, there are definite medical advantages offered by hypnosis; less bleeding, faster recovery time, and the need for fewer post-operative medications.

Does hypnosis really stop pain during surgery?

Patients who have used it say yes. During operations, they report that they can hear and see everything that is going on, but they feel no discomfort.

How is hypnosis thought of today, generally?

Myths still abound regarding hypnosis, although it is becoming more widely accepted and trusted. Hypnosis cannot be used to control someone's else's mind, or their actions. By using hypnosis, people gain greater control over their own minds and their own actions.

What is hypnosis like?

Hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep but one of altered consciousness. There is a feeling of well-being, an ability to recall past events and the acceptance of new ideas that are not in conflict with personal values.  There is also a higher threshold to pain. The hypnotic state is like meditation, where the body is relaxed but the mind has heightened awareness.  The ability to vocalize is limited, and the limbs feel leaden or light, tingly or somewhat numb. The perception of time is also distorted where an hour might seem like just a few minutes.

Who can be hypnotized?

Most people can be hypnotized, and different people go into hypnosis in different ways. Part of the hypnotist's job is to identify what approach will work best for which subject. Those who have trouble trusting the hypnotist or the process, may take more time to go into a hypnotic state, and may not enjoy as many benefits.

There is a common idea that those with "a strong will" cannot be hypnotized. It has been shown that intelligent people can be hypnotized faster because they have greater access to their imagination, and can follow instructions. In fact, those with an extremely low intelligence cannot be hypnotized at all. The biggest prerequisite to someone being able to be hypnotized is their willingness.

What about stage shows?

Sometimes hypnosis is feared, because often the view of the subject surrendering their 'will' is reinforced by stage hypnotism.  It is helpful to remember that stage hypnotists design their shows for entertainment purposes, which include participants doing strange things. What people don't realize is that the stage hypnotist chooses only those who are highly suggestible, and may have a desire to have a "different" or less inhibited experience of themselves. In a hypnotic state, people can give themselves permission to do many things that they may not otherwise be able to do.

In getting more comfortable with the subject of hypnosis, it is often helpful to know what hypnosis is NOT, to know better what it IS, and can do. Solid research findings can help dispel even the most popular of myths. 

Points of Interest:

Research shows that physiological responses indicate that hypnotized subjects are not lying.

Hypnotic procedures are natural and safe and no more distressing than history lectures in high school.

Hypnotized subjects may be relaxed, but they are fully awake; and a person can be in hypnosis while running, or dancing, or driving.

Many research tests show placebo responsiveness and hypnotizability are not correlated.

Hypnotized subjects are perfectly capable of saying no, or terminating hypnosis, all by themselves. And there is research available to show that as well.

What can hypnosis help with?

Hypnosis helps change attitudes, which is the key to changing behavior. With hypnosis, a person is empowered, and made independent enough to solve his/her own problems. With hypnosis a person can change behaviors that would otherwise seem difficult, if not impossible, to change.

Hypnosis can also improve your essential experience of life, in all its circumstances.  Only within the past 40 years have scientists become equipped with instruments, techniques and methods for accurately separating the facts of hypnosis from exaggerated claims. The study of hypnotic phenomena is now properly held within the domain of normal cognitive science, with papers on hypnosis published in many major scientific and medical journals. Newest clinical research findings reveal, however, that hypnosis and hypnotic suggestion, when used properly, can powerfully alter cognitive processes as diverse as memory and pain perception.

Hypnosis is not talk therapy, and does not include advising, diagnosing or prescribing. That would be the domain of other professionals, usually licensed to counsel. The primary aim of hypnosis itself is self-healing, and self change. The hypnotist's job is to assist the subject to achieve those natural states of mind where healing and change best happen. Used correctly, hypnosis is especially useful for tapping into that awesome power of the human mind.

If you can think it, and believe it, hypnosis can help make it so.

For more information about hypnosis, visit www.SandersHypnosis.com

Provided by World Hypnotism Day

World Hypnotism Day is January 4th
[Click here for details]

Can Hypnosis Make You Thin?

CAN HYPNOSIS MAKE YOU THIN?

Tired of carrying around an extra twenty pounds?  Tired of diets that don’t work?

Hypnosis may be the answer for you – no, it doesn’t work miracles. It’s not a magic bullet that immediately makes you love exercise. It is a deep state of relaxation and intense mental focus that can help you re-program old attitudes and beliefs about eating and maintaining a healthy weight.

“While you’re in a state of hypnosis, your subconscious mind is more available to you, more open to receive suggestions that will become a natural part of new behaviors” explains Brian Sanders of Sanders Hypnosis Center.

“Suggestions to your subconscious mind bypass the critical mind, which you use day-to-day and go straight to the part of the mind that controls habits,” Sanders added. “This allows you to go through with any changes you have decided to make in your life.”

Some of the messages seem pretty simple, and they are.  It’s just where they reside that makes the difference.  Suggestions such as “you eat only in response to your body’s natural need for food as fuel” or “you feel completely satisfied with three small nutritious meals a day” or “your enjoyment of a regular exercise program grows with each time you visit the gym.” Repetition of these suggestions can boost your determination and enhance your conscious willpower, when you have such a desire.

But, and it is a big but, hypnosis alone is not enough.  It takes a combination of behavioral modification and understanding to achieve a permanent healthy eating pattern.  A well trained hypnotist addresses all the issues, because once you realize why you are eating when you are not hungry, you can begin to change that behavior.

Mental imagery is another important part of hypnosis. While in a hypnotic state, your hypnotist may lead you through an imaginary journey seeing yourself in clothes that you have grown out of.  You might imagine the positive comments of friends or co-workers.  You might be encouraged to use all five senses to experience yourself growing thinner, stronger, and healthier.  Studies show that the more real your inner experience, the more likely the final results will match your mental imagery.

While it’s not magic, hypnosis, when used as part of an overall program of behavioral modification and attitude adjustment, can be that extra dimension your weight loss program needs for long-term success.  And a good hypnotist teaches the client self-hypnosis as a part of the treatment program. In the battle of the bulge, it can just be the tool that makes the difference between success and failure.

“More and more people are using hypnosis and self-hypnosis to enable themselves to be the best they can be,” explains Sanders “Once you’ve learned self-hypnosis, it can stay with you for the rest of your life and help you achieve any goal you set your mind to.”

 For more information, visit www.SandersHypnosis.com.

Provided by World Hypnotism Day

World Hypnotism Day is January 4th
[Click here for details]

Facts About Hypnosis From Current Research Findings

Facts About Hypnosis From Current Research Findings

Did you know?

•  As of December, 2004 there are more than 5,000 clinical research studies having to do with hypnosis and its benefits currently being conducted worldwide? (According to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
•  As of December 15, 2004 results from more than 3,000 clinical research studies are available showing positive benefits from hypnosis? (According to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
• According to studies done at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, suggestions given in a hypnotic state, even once, can produce actions in human beings that are the same type of actions that would have resulted from more long-term conditioning and practice.
• In a research study on Self-hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users, (Am J Clin Hypn. 2004 Apr;46(4):281-97), individuals who played self-hypnosis audiotapes "at least 3 to 5 times a week," at 7-week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal-practice and control groups.
• In a research study done with 60 college student volunteers (Spring of 2004 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona), using hypnosis with ego-enhancement suggestions showed "significantly dramatic effects" in brain-wave patterns, subjective sense of self-confidence, and test scores.
• As reported by NewScientist.com news service: "Hypnosis is more than just a party trick; it measurably changes how the brain works," says John Gruzelier, a research psychologist at Imperial College in London. "Hypnosis significantly affects the activity in a part of the brain responsible for detecting and responding to errors, an area that controls higher level executive functions."  The finding is one of the first to indicate a biological mechanism underpinning the experience of hypnosis. “This explains why, under hypnosis, people can do outrageous things that ordinarily they wouldn’t dream of doing,” says Gruzelier, who presented his study at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival in Exeter, UK. Gruzelier hopes it will also benefit emerging research showing, for example, that hypnosis can help cancer patients deal with painful treatments.
• Research using positron emission tomography (PET) scans, shows that hypnosis might alleviate pain by decreasing the activity of brain areas involved in the experience of suffering. Scientists have found that hypnosis reduced the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex, an area known to be involved in pain, but did not affect the activity of the somatosensory cortex, where the sensations of pain are processed.
• Clinical trials of therapeutic hypnosis confirm its potential benefits. Christina Liossi, a psychologist at the University of Wales in Swansea, recently conducted a study of 80 cancer patients aged 6 to 16. She found that those under hypnosis experienced far less pain during treatments than control children, who simply talked to the researchers normally.
• According to published results of clinical studies (Am J Clin Hypn. 2004 Apr), the use of hypnosis facilitates a more uncomplicated birth process.  In a separate research study done by University of Florida counseling psychologist Paul Schauble, it was also found that women who learn hypnosis before delivering babies suffer fewer complications, need less medication and are more likely to have healthier babies than are women without hypnosis.  Schauble's first study involved adolescents getting prenatal care at a public health clinic. A group of 20 patients who received hypnosis preparation were compared with 20 who were given supportive counseling and 20 patients in a control group who received only the standard prenatal care. None of the women who received hypnosis required surgical intervention in their deliveries, compared with 12 in the supportive counseling group and eight in the control group, he said. "Patients who are prepared for labor and delivery in hypnosis are more likely to absorb and benefit from information because they are in a relaxed, highly focused state," he said.
• In an ongoing pilot study being done by University of Florida counseling psychologist Paul Schauble, preliminary results show hypnotized patients with hypertension are more easily able to make lifestyle improvements that can lower blood pressure.
• A study being done by a team of University of Florida researchers is finding that learning self-hypnosis gives a patient greater control over the stress, anxiety and pain of medical operations and childbirth, overall. "Training patients in hypnosis prior to undergoing surgery is a way of helping them develop a sense of control over their stress, discomfort and anxiety," says Dr. Paul Schauble, psychologist. "It also helps them better understand what they can do to bring about a more satisfying and rapid recovery."  He also said, "We've found, in working with individual patients, that they often feel literally stripped of control when they go into the hospital. The surgeon may do a good job of explaining the surgery, but patients' anxiety may make it difficult for them to absorb or comprehend. This can result in undue apprehension that can create complications or prolonged recovery."
• "Children make excellent subjects for hypnosis because they spend more time using their imaginations," says Florida counseling psychologist Paul Schauble. "But with practice most adults can learn how to enter into a therapeutic hypnotic state quite easily as well."
• In 1998 Henry Szechtman of McMaster University in Ontario and his co-workers used PET to image the brain activity of hypnotized subjects who were invited to imagine a scenario in which they were listening to someone speaking to them, and who then actually experienced a scenario in which they were listening to someone speaking to them. The researchers noted that the act of imagining a sound, called hallucinating a sound, was experienced exactly the same as real hearing, both being experienced as coming from an external source.
• 18 separate studies found that patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy plus hypnosis for disorders such as obesity, insomnia, anxiety and hypertension showed greater improvement than 70 percent of the patients who received psychotherapy alone.

For more information about hypnosis and how it can help you, visit www.SandersHypnosis.com.

Disclaimer:

Hypnosis cannot, and should not, stand alone as the sole medical or psychological

intervention for any disorder. Hypnosis should not be used instead of appropriate medical, dental, or psychological treatment, and any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a qualified health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice. Hypnosis should only be practiced by those who have been appropriately trained, who practice appropriately, and within the scope of their training.

Information compiled by Gwyneth McNeil, Certified Hypnotist and Certified Instructor with the National Guild of Hypnotists and Managing Director of Academy of Life Management in Salt Lake City, Utah. 3098 Highland Drive Suite #317 - Salt Lake City, Utah 84117

Provided by World Hypnotism Day

World Hypnotism Day is January 4th
[Click here for details]

Tip On Choosing a Hypnotherapist: Get Testimonials!

Make sure your hypnotherapist can provide testimonials from clients!

Just the other day, an individual who was inquiring about our Gastric Band Hypnosis Program asked if we could connect her with some of our former clients so she could talk with them. This is a completely understandable request. However, just like your medical provider, HIPAA rules pertaining to client confidentiality prohibits us from releasing the full names of our clients. Even if HIPAA rules didn't exist, we still would respect the privacy of our clients.

That being said, we are still able to provide numerous written, video, and audio testimonials from clients who have agreed to have their testimony shared. These testimonials range from individuals who have been helped with our Gastric Band Hypnosis program to stress and anxiety management, to stroke recovery. They are available for your viewing on our website. Simply click here to see them!

Brian Sanders, NGH Certified Instructor, Attends Worldwide Conference For Hypnosis Professionals

Leading Edge Program Focused On Value of Hypnosis in Improving Everyday Life for Millions of People

Glen Burnie, Maryland, October 10, 2011 -- From helping people overcome their fears to honing personal development skills and goal achievement to assisting with pain management hypnosis has long been a valid tool for millions of people. With a theme of CONCEIVE … BELIEVE … ACHIEVE, The National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH.net) of Merrimack, New Hampshire held its 24th annual educational conference and convention at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Attending this year’s event was Brian Sanders of Glen Burnie, Maryland. Leading experts from around the globe shared the latest insights and techniques to help professional consulting hypnotists bring the value of hypnosis to several areas of the health and wellness fields.

“This was an incredible experience,” said Mr. Sanders, “The networking with peers around the world was tremendous, and the workshops presented a wealth of insight and skill building that I know my clients will value.”

“This is the world’s super conference for professional hypnotists. All told, there were about 1200 hypnotists in town for a plethora of intensive educational workshops,” said Dr. Dwight Damon, President and Founder of the National Guild of Hypnotists. “Our annual convention took place August 12th -14th with multiple tracks for any number of disciplines in the profession.” As Dr. Damon explains, “Our training programs are conducted by award-winning speakers, published authors, and other professional hypnotists from around the world. Many of the speakers were from outside the United States. We may be the National Guild of Hypnotists, but this is truly an international event."

While the attendees represent many countries, varied hypnosis skill levels, and a diversity of occupations, they were united in their goal of using hypnotism as a valuable tool for helping others. Some of the course topics included certifications in: stress management; pain management; hypno-oncology; sleep improvement, new answers for diabetes; and helping people help themselves with hypnosis. Many of the topics also applied to sales and marketing professionals and non-hypnotists seeking to improve their influence and persuasion skills.

Dr. Dwight Damon continued, "Even though the NGH Convention is a time for intensive study and skill development, we like to remind people that the event is frequently described as, 'the world's largest and friendliest professional hypnotism conference.' The three days NGH spends in Marlborough, MA, are an incredible time for networking for the world’s top hypnotists.
People leave the NGH Convention with new professional relationships, new mentors and most importantly, new friends."

Hypnotism is an accepted and recognized treatment option regularly utilized by many health care workers, counselors and other mental health professionals. Hypnosis provides a valuable tool for
enhancing an individual's ability to deal with pain or stress, or to assist in diminishing undesirable behavior patterns. As the use of hypnotism increases, so does the demand for those
who are trained to provide it.

Celebrating 61 years of service worldwide, the Guild is also celebrating its 24th Convention Anniversary. The largest and oldest organization of its kind, the National Guild of Hypnotists
provides a wide range of support and professional development services for hypnotists on every continent. Its mission is, in part, to educate the public about the value of hypnosis and also to
continue its leadership role in expanding the profession of a certified consulting hypnotist.

# # # #

The National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc. is a not-for-profit, educational corporation. Founded in Boston, MA in 1950/51, the Guild is a professional organization comprised of dedicated

individuals committed to advancing the field of hypnotism. The National Guild of Hypnotists has over 10,000 members, representing 70 countries around the world. There are NGH certified
trainers in 44 US states and 28 countries around the world. Learn more at http://www.sandershypnosis.com/ or http://www.ngh.net/.

 

I.R.S. Tax Credit For Hypnosis!

You Can Get 100% Reimbursement for your Weight Loss

and/or Smoking Cessation Hypnotherapy Programs

with an I.R.S. Tax Credit!

Tax laws passed for 2003 onwards mean you can get a tax credit that reimburses you 100% for money paid for smoking programs.

You can also be reimbursed 100% for weight loss programs if you were advised by a physician to lose weight.

This is a tax credit – not a tax deduction, so that means 100% credit on your taxes!

The information below is presented as a courtesy from Academy of NLP & Hypnosis and is quoted from pages 12 and 15 of IRS Publication 502 year 2003.

Stop-Smoking Programs

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for a program to stop smoking. However, you cannot include in medical expenses amounts you pay for drugs that do not require a prescription, such as nicotine gum or patches that are designed to help stop smoking.

Weight-Loss Programs

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group and attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.

How to Report

To claim the credit, complete Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit, and attach it to your Form 1040 or Form 1040NR. Report the credit on Form 1040, line 67, or Form 1040NR, line 62, and check box c. You cannot claim the credit on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.

You must attach invoices and proof of payment for any amounts you include on line 2 of Form 8885 for which you did not receive an advance payment. If you file your return electronically, attach the invoices and proof of payment to your Form 8453. Proof of payment may include a pay stub if insurance is through a spouse’s employment, a bank check, or bank statement for premiums that are automatically deducted from your account.

If you claim this credit, you cannot take the same expenses that you use to figure your health coverage tax credit into account in determining your:

Medical and dental expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040)

Self-employed health insurance deduction, or

Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA) distributions.

Special thanks to Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD.

Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland

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This is the program you have been looking for to help you lose weight! This is the MOST EFFECTIVE weight loss app available in the Android Marketplace!

In addition to the home audio hypnosis program contained in this app, you will also receive our Ebook, Hypnosis 101, for FREE! This book will tell you what hypnosis is and what it isn't. This alone is worth far more than the cost of this app!

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS WITH HYPNOSIS!

Finally! A program for those who want a natural and EASY, DRUG FREE way to achieve their goals and change their habits and behaviors created by a nationally board certified hypnotherapist and trainer of hypnotherapists. This is the exact same program we give to each one of our weight loss clients to use at home!

This program provides powerful, step-by-step hypnotic techniques that will allow you to become the person you desire. Due to the binaural technologies utilized in this program, it is recommended that you listen to this session using headphones.

Suggestions Include:

• Deep relaxation

• Lose the weight you want

• Look fit and trim

• Feel better about yourself

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To save valuable storage space on your SD card, your session will be streamed from our secure server. Please give it a moment to load.

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This hypnosis program helps you to:

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WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS RECORDING WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY!

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ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS WITH HYPNOSIS!

Finally! A program for those who want a natural and EASY, DRUG FREE way to achieve their goals and change their habits and behaviors created by a nationally board certified hypnotherapist and trainer of hypnotherapists. This is the exact same program we give to each one of our stress and anxiety clients to use at home!

This program provides powerful, step-by-step hypnotic techniques that will allow you to become the person you desire. Due to the binaural technologies utilized in this program, it is recommended that you listen to this session using headphones.

Suggestions Include:

• Deep relaxation

• Increased personal satisfaction

• Life balance

• Improved productivity

• And much, much more!

To save valuable storage space on your SD card, your session will be streamed from our secure server. Please give it a moment to load.

Listen and watch your life change for the better.

This hypnosis program helps you to:

• Make behavior changes effortlessly

• Be free of unhealthy habits

• Feel good about yourself

• Enjoy a healthier lifestyle

• Become the person you desire

• Experience hypnosis in a comfortable surrounding

• Become healthier, happier and more successful

Listen to this program and change your life!

WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS RECORDING WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY!

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This is the program you have been looking for to help you quit smoking! This is the MOST EFFECTIVE smoking cessation app available in the Android Marketplace!

In addition to the home audio hypnosis program contained in this app, you will also receive our Ebook, Hyposis 101, for FREE! This book will tell you what hypnosis is and what it isn't. This alone is worth far more than the cost of this app!

ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS WITH HYPNOSIS!

Finally! A program for those who want a natural and EASY, DRUG FREE way to achieve their goals and change their habits and behaviors created by a nationally board certified hypnotherapist and trainer of hypnotherapists. This is the exact same program we give to each one of our smoking cessation clients to use at home!

This program provides powerful, step-by-step hypnotic techniques that will allow you to become the person you desire. Due to the binaural technologies utilized in this program, it is recommended that you listen to this session using headphones.

Suggestions Include:

•Quit Smoking

•Be Free Of All Smoking Desires

•Feel Good About Yourself

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•And much more!

To save valuable storage space on your SD card, your session will be streamed from our secure server. Please give it a moment to load.

Listen and watch your life change for the better.

This hypnosis program helps you to:

•Make behavior changes effortlessly

•Be free of unhealthy habits

•Fee good about yourself

•Enjoy a healthier lifestyle

•Become the person you desire

•Experience hypnosis in a comfortable surrounding

•Become healthier, happier and more successful

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WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS RECORDING WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY!

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Three out of every four U.S. health-care workers use some form of complementary or alternative medicine or practice to help stay healthy

Many Health-Care Workers Have Turned to Alternative Medicine

Their use of everything from herbals to massage exceeds that of the general public, research suggests.

FRIDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Three out of every four U.S. health-care workers use some form of complementary or alternative medicine or practice to help stay healthy, a new report shows.

What's more, doctors, nurses and their assistants, health technicians, and healthcare administrators were actually more likely than the general public to use any number of wide-ranging alternative medicine options, including massage, yoga, acupuncture, Pilates or herbal medicines.

"No one has really done this sort of analysis before, so when I saw our results I was authentically surprised," acknowledged study co-author Lori Knutson, executive director of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing with the Allina Health System in Minneapolis. "But pleasantly so. Because clearly this means that even our health-care workers are recognizing the need for alternative options in the search for ways to improve our health and lives."

Knutson and her colleagues reported their findings this month in the journal Health Services Research.

According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (part of the National Institutes of Health), about 38 percent of Americans currently avail themselves of some form of complementary/alternative medicine, which can also include dietary supplements, meditation, chiropractic services, Pilates, and Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.

The poll data, collected in 2007 as part of the National Health Interview Survey, looked at use among a nationally representative sample of more than 14,300 working adults 18 years old and up. About 1,300 of those surveyed were health-care providers and workers employed in either a hospital or ambulatory environment.

The survey covered 36 different forms of options, including therapies involving body manipulation, mind-body and biological-based therapies, and energy-healing treatments.

Doctors and nurses were found to be more than twice as likely as non-clinical health-care support workers to have tried out a practitioner-based complementary or alternative medicine service (such as a chiropractor) in the past year.

They were also almost three times as likely to have "self-treated" using complementary/alternative approaches versus their technical or administrative colleagues.

Overall, health-care workers were found to be bigger users of complementary/alternative medicine than those outside the health-care industry. Seventy-six percent of health-care workers said they had used such methods in the past year, compared to 63 percent of people working in non-healthcare fields.

And even when diets, vitamins, minerals, and/or herbal supplements were excluded from the range of options, health-care workers were still significantly more likely to have tried out a complementary medicine product or service over the prior year than the general public (41 percent versus 30 percent.)

But the reasons health-care workers turned to alterative/complementary medicine were similar to those seen elsewhere, with back, neck and joint pain being the three most prevalent concerns.

"In general, Western culture has believed that complementary services and techniques aren't as well-researched and evidence-based as conventional medicine," noted Knutson. "But that is certainly no longer the case. And so what I hope comes from this insight into practitioner use of complementary options is an opening up of the conversation between providers and patients about the use and potential of alternative medicine."

Judy Blatman, a spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C.-based Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents the supplements industry, seconded that notion.

"These results are not surprising, as in fact we've had similar findings looking at health-care practitioner attitudes and uses regarding dietary supplements," she noted. "So this is consistent with out own research."

"And I would agree," said Blatman, "that seeing that the very people who are considered to be the leaders in health are themselves more and more willing to go beyond what was a traditional model of treatment could be very helpful to consumers. Because we find that often patients feel uncomfortable talking to their providers about non-traditional disciplines for fear of being discounted. So this should put everyone more at ease."

Experts typically advise that any patient who turned to an alternative or complementary therapy first consult with their doctor.

Because dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the same way traditional medicines are, and some supplements interact with traditional medicines, patients should also talk with their doctors before taking supplements and keep their physicians current on any supplements or alternative medicines they are using.

More information

For more information about how hypnosis can help you, vist Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland.


(SOURCES: Lori Knutson, executive director, Penny George Institute for Health And Healing, Allina Health System, Minneapolis; Judy Blatman, spokesperson and senior vice president, communications, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Washington, D.C.; Aug. 19, 2011, Health Services Research, online)

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter

Fear of Hurricanes? Lilapsophobia!

Hurricane Irene is just around the corner. If the thought of this terrifies you, you just might be suffering from Lilapsophobia, or fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. This can be seen as a more severe form of astraphobia, which is a fear of thunder and lightning. If you suffer from lilapsophobia, it is not the average summer storm that you fear, but the possibility of that storm becoming severe. This phobia is relatively common, although rarer than astraphobia.

Causes of Lilapsophobia

Like many phobias, the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes is often traced to a negative experience. Perhaps you have been affected by severe weather that caused personal injury or property damage to you or someone you love. Or you might have been spared by a tornado that wreaked havoc in your neighborhood, possibly adding a bit of survivor guilt to the mix.

If you have been through a truly devastating storm experience such as Hurricane Katrina, it is particularly important to seek professional advice. In addition to lilapsophobia, it is possible that you are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lilapsophobia, like many phobias, may also be learned. If your parents, friends or relatives are afraid of tornadoes and hurricanes, you may have picked up their fear.

Symptoms of Lilapsophobia

While it is normal and rational to check weather forecasts before outdoor activities, many people with lilapsophobia find that the weather controls their lives. You might spend a great deal of time watching the Weather Channel or tracking storms online. You may refuse to go out on days when storms are predicted.

When a storm hits, you may display unusual behaviors. Constantly checking for weather alerts; hiding under the bed or in a closet; and even putting a full tornado plan into effect as soon as the rain begins are all common among those with this fear. You might listen closely to the storm for sounds of tornado activity, or you might attempt to drown out the storm altogether with loud music or movies.

Many people find that lilapsophobia is worsened by being alone. You might call friends in a panic, or arrange your schedule such that you are rarely alone. Some people with this phobia find that going to a mall, a movie theater or a library can help them control their panic.

Over time, you might find that your daily activities become more and more restricted. You might become unwilling to enter buildings that you do not find “safe,” even on clear, sunny days. You may refuse to take part in outdoor activities or long road trips for fear that a storm might hit.

Lilapsophobia in Children

Many children go through a phase of astraphobia, or fear of storms. Lilapsophobia is not as common in children, but may certainly appear. Young children who are just learning to separate fantasy from reality are especially susceptible to fears caused by media images and adult conversations. If a major storm is profiled on television or discussed by adults, children may become afraid that it will happen to them.

Because fears are a normal part of development, phobias are generally not diagnosed in children unless they persist for more than six months. Try to reassure your child about the relative rarity of major storms, and explain your storm readiness procedures to him. Of course, it is important to tell the child’s doctor if the phobia is severe or persistent, as a therapist referral may be necessary.

Lilapsophobia in Popular Culture

Hollywood films such as Twister (1996) address the effects of lilapsophobia. In that film, Dr. Jo Harding, played by Helen Hunt, witnesses her father’s death in a tornado. As an adult, she fights the resulting lilapsophobia by becoming a storm chaser. The film features highly realistic footage of major tornadoes, so it is not the best choice for those suffering from this fear.

Tornadoes and hurricanes are a part of life, and today’s media offers the opportunity to view devastating storms and their aftermath repeatedly, in vivid high definition detail. Although the coverage is certainly important, it is equally important to put such coverage into perspective. While small weather events happen frequently, only those that are severe are deemed newsworthy. Media coverage can easily lead to a skewed belief that serious storms are much more common than they actually are.

Rational Preparedness

Although your chances of being caught in a killer storm are relatively small, the risks are real. Therefore, it is important to be prepared. The key is to recognize the difference between rational preparedness and phobic reactions.

If you live in a storm-prone area, get a copy of your area’s official preparedness literature. These documents are often distributed in grocery stores, libraries and other public locations. Read through the recommendations and put together a storm readiness plan.

If you share a household, let someone else monitor the weather. That person can alert you about any specific dangers and help you decide the best course of action. This will take some of the pressure off you, and can help you avoid obsessive checking.

Learn about the types of storms that affect your area. For examples, hurricanes can be devastating but are predicted far in advance. Tornadoes can develop quickly, but only under certain weather conditions. Learning about the types of storms that may affect you can help you make more rational decisions about confronting them.

Help With Lilapsophobia

Like many fears, sufferes of lilapsophobia can be helped with hypnosis. It is crucial to find a qualified hypnotist you can trust to help you conquer your fears. Visit www.SandersHypnosis.com for help with your fear of Hurricane Irene!

Many thanks to Lisa Fritscher of About.com for her Lilapsophobia research.

Don't Donate to Maryland Legal Aid

Many of my colleagues, friends, and clients know that I am a staunch opponent of domestic violence. I have female clients who come through my doors who are battered by their husbands and boyfriends, who seek out help but cannot get it. The Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland (in Anne Arundel County, specifically) is one such example. For years my clients seek out legal assistance from this organisation but are consistently turned away and told to seek help at the self-help center, which is a library housed in the circuit court of Anne Arundel County. Essentially, they are told to read a book and become their own lawyer. This amounts to standing up in front of a judge, their abuser, and their paid, experienced attorney and representing themselves. Since we know that battered women are thrown into the street with nothing except for the clothes on their back, we also know that this is an impossible challenge.

So, send your money elsewhere. Give to a cause where your money matters.

Fear of Earthquakes? Seismophobia!

Earthquakes on the east coast? Who would have thought? As I was enjoying a sunny day in downtown Annapolis, the earth began to shake. Having never experienced an earthquake before, it took me about 30 seconds to realize what was happening. I think the feeling was mutual because at around that time, everybody around began to panic.

Nobody could see it coming, but its effects can shatter your confidence. Unlike tornadoes or hurricanes, earthquakes can test the limits of fear simply because its dramatic entrance is unannounced. The phobia name associated with this common fear is Seismophobia. Until now, this fear was not as well-noticed on the east coast because earthquakes were, very simply, uncommon, but for those who live in California or parts of China the occasional tremor can leave them exhausted in their fear. Now folks on the east coast may experience the feelings associated with seismophobia.

What Causes Seismophobia? This fear is often the direct result of either living through an earthquake and replaying the mental images of destruction and the internal fears of original panic. It can also be enhanced or introduced by horror stories from others who have lived through an event or obsess about the possibility of the next big earthquake.

Like many fears this one is often linked to the personal response of someone who has lived through an earthquake and has grown to fear them in a dramatic fashion.

Visual images of earthquake damage can further enhance or solidify the notion that earthquakes are among the worst natural disasters known to man.

A healthy respect for this natural phenomenon is valid. An obsession with an earthquake creates an environment where seismophobia can grow.

The fear of earthquakes can occur in something as innocent as a large truck passing by that caused a floor to vibrate in its wake. The sense of panic along with an adrenalin rush often follows virtually any vibration for a seismophobe.

Other symptoms may include…

Elevated or irregular heart rates
Elevated body temperature and sweating
Anxiety or panic attack
Temporary loss of control of bodily functions
Nausea
Screaming
An acute sense of dread
Air hunger
An inability to immediately rationalize the fear
When these fear symptoms begin to express themselves the seismophobe will often indicate they have no control over their response to an earthquake event.

How Hypnosis Can Help

Hypnotists can and should play a role in helping to curb the incidence of earthquake fears. Sufferers can be educated about the causes of an earthquake and why most seismic activity does not result in a loss of life. A hypnotist can help you identify the root causes of the fear and address those underlying reasons for the fear response.

A fear of earthquakes is considered a common and often healthy response to the event. The trouble stems from allowing a healthy respect to blossom into an unreasoning fear.

It is also possible other fears may be tied to this phobia. Things such as a fear of death, a fear of small spaces and a fear of the dark can all provide fuel for the flame of your fear.

Sometimes your fear can be be unmasked in much the same way an onion is peeled. Layers upon layers need to systematically be removed to help you get to the heart of those things you fear most.

Remember some phobias can actually be symptomatic of a root fear. Dealing with a single fear may not always remove anxiety from your life. Seeking help to locate the originating fear is the most helpful in determining a cause.

For more information about how hypnosis can help you with your fear of earthquakes, visit www.SandersHypnosis.com.

Giants' Manager Bruce Bochy: Hypnosis Helped End Tobacco Habit

This was published yesterday in the San Francisco Chronicle. It's wonderful when celebrities are successful with hypnosis because it really helps us to spread the good word about the positive and amazing things it can help people with. For more information about how hypnosis can help you and also hypnosis training and certification in Maryland, visit our website at www.SandersHypnosis.com.

And now, the article.....

___________________________________________

Ask Bruce Bochy if he has a dip and the Giants' manager offers a standard response: "I don't do that anymore."

Bullpen catcher Bill Hayes answers the same way. Equipment manager Mike Murphy, too.

They've reached this point because of hypnotherapist AlVera Paxson, who is developing quite the reputation for helping the World Series champions kick some nasty, decades-old habits.

Bochy hasn't touched chewing tobacco since April 14, the night before seeing Paxson during his team's first trip to Arizona. Hayes has gone without since Jan. 26. It's two years down for Murphy. No carrying around those little tobacco cans for these three any longer.

Bochy had his doubts when Hayes told him in spring training that he had stopped dipping following one thorough session with Paxson, a medical hypnotherapist.

Hayes succeeded after Paxson already had aided Murphy in stopping. She also worked with Murphy's wife, Carole, to help her quit smoking.

"I'm a believer," Murphy said.

"It's been the best $300 I ever spent," Hayes said. "It's weird to see how it works."

Bochy agrees. He already would have spent well more than $300 on dip by this point in the season, he said.

Last year, Bochy tried Nicorette gum and an array of different non-tobacco, herbal dips. He made it about a month, then hit hard times and fell back into his old dipping ways.

Not this time. Bochy - a skeptic on these sorts of things - had to see for himself if he could kick his nearly 40-year pattern of dipping before and after games and several times during the course of nine innings. He did it in the first, fifth and eighth innings. That had been his routine, a go-to stress reliever.

When he left Paxson's office, minus his $300 investment, Bochy headed straight to Chase Field for a game against the Diamondbacks.

He arrived in the clubhouse and didn't want a dip. The game started and there were no cravings. He has handled the occasional urges since then.

"It was really strange," Bochy said. "There are so many triggers that you have that make you want to put a dip in. The following day, I did have an urge, not a real strong one. I said, 'OK, I've had my day off, now it's time to put one in.' "

He didn't do it.

"The next game, I did have an urge. The next two to three days, I still had an urge, but it just wasn't as strong as other times I've tried to quit," he said. "When I got past the fourth or fifth day, I was over it. I didn't crave it. I didn't want it. I was fine."

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/09/SPRS1KKSUL.DTL

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Breast Implants at 83: WHAT???

ABC News published an article today about an 83-year old senior woman who received breast implants. I have no problem with this, as she can do whatever she wants with her body; I totally get it. However, I honed in and was a little disturbed by some things she said.

"It was more about looking in the mirror and liking who I am."

and

"I want my children to be proud of what I look like."

She clearly has a negative image of her physical self. To correct this, she elected to undergo the procedure. She wants her "children to be proud" of what she looks like. PROUD OF WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE?

Forget the fact that she has four children, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and is a busy, energetic property manager in Orange County, CA. She's probably a wonderful mother and grandmother. Why is it so important for her children and their children to be PROUD of what she looks like?

I believe that there are issues involved that, once addressed, she wouldn't have had to resort to surgery. The surgery is just a band-aid for other issues that lie beneath the surface. Self-esteem, confidence, self-image, and other issues can be addressed very successfully with hypnotherapy. She could have saved herself a lot of money and the risk of surgery.

For more information about how hypnosis can help you with your own self-confidence and self-esteem, visit Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland.

Breast Implants at 83: Senior Citizens Elect More Plastic Surgery Than Ever Before - ABC News

Washington Talent Agency & So Fresh Entertainment Presents FLASHmob in Ocean City

While I absolutely love talking and writing about hypnosis, sometimes I like to make brief departures from it and discuss other enlightening topics. Here is one example of said departure:

Yesterday, at 2:40pm sharp, some of my wonderful friends from Washington Talent Agency and So Fresh Entertainment played host to a FLASHmob on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, MD. MC FRESH, MC MOSES, Destiny, Alexa and 40 of O.C.'s finest, spontaneously entertained the public on the boardwalk today.

The site was a moment in time that will not soon be forgotten. Most often known to be one of the TOP MC/DJ Power House Entertainment Actson the East Coast for Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate Events and Private Parties, MC FRESH and MC MOSES brought 7 minutes of energy and tons of smiles to on-looker and beach-goes alike.

Check out the video here!

Great job everybody!!!

Hypnosis as an Alternative to Beta Blockers for Stage Fright

Hypnosis as an Alternative to Beta Blockers for Stage Fright

By Brian Sanders, MS, CH

Stage fright, which is often referred to as performance anxiety, it is a debilitating condition that can devastate a person’s self-confidence and career. Attorneys, athletes, CEO’s, and other professionals can also suffer from stage fight. However, this article will focus on stage fright from a musician’s perspective due to this author’s personal experiences with this problem.

As a young trumpet performing artist, I suffered from a very severe case of stage fright. Throughout my high school and college studies, high-pressure performance situations such as recitals and master classes would cause my legs to shake rapidly, my mouth to become dry, and my mind to draw a blank except for thoughts of inevitable failure. All this would occur despite hundreds of hours spent in the practice room, mastering and perfecting each and every note.

I explored many strategies to cope with stage fright, from yoga and deep breathing exercises to creative visualization techniques. Eventually, a professor suggested that I try beta-blockers but made me promise to not to tell anybody who advised me of this. I’m still keeping the secret, but this was my first exposure to what is commonly called the “musician’s underground drug.”

Beta blockers are medications which block our body’s receptors for the physical effects of a person’s natural fight or flight response. The fight or flight response is an innate safety device triggered when our mind perceives a threat. It is a remnant from our prehistoric ancestors. Take the cave man, for example. He encounters a saber-toothed tiger. His adrenaline is released and an automatic decision is made: flee the situation and hope to outrun the ferocious predator or stay, roll the dice, and take his chances of killing it before it kills him. Most of us don’t have such worries anymore, but the mechanism is still present and is responsible for the behavior we experience when suffering from stage fright.

There are two views of thought about using beta blockers for musical performance. The first is that, despite the potential risks of hallucinations, nightmares, depression, decreased pulse, bronchial asthma, and heart failure that can lead to death, beta blockers can be a tool to assist an individual musician to perform at his or her very best. Many musicians are willing to take that risk if it increases their chances of getting a “gig.” On the other hand, there is a view (likely held by individuals who do not suffer from performance anxiety), that taking beta-blockers gives a performer an unfair advantage, much like an athlete who takes steroids. Although this is a topic of debate in the music community, a study of 2,122 musicians in major North American symphony orchestras reported that 22% of those musicians take, or have taken, beta blockers for performance anxiety. Granted, this figure only accounted for a small segment of professional musicians who were willing to divulge their use of the medication; it didn’t account for musicians in other smaller orchestras, military bands, opera and theatre vocalists, musicians working in other genres, etc. As such, it is likely that this figure is much higher.

I promptly made an appointment with my physician and, when I discussed my problem with him, he readily explained to me that medical students commonly take beta-blockers prior to taking exams. He then prescribed Propranolol, which seemed to do the trick for the physical symptoms. My legs stopped shaking and my mouth didn’t become dry. However, it did not solve the psychological problems: my mind continued to go blank and I still imagined inevitable failure. I settled upon the fact that any help is better than nothing at all, so I continued to use the medication.

In 2007 I found that the answer to my problem was far simpler than I could have imagined; it was with hypnosis that my problem with stage fright was finally solved. The source of my problems with stage fright stemmed from unresolved childhood conflict, or negative experience, which occurred before the age of eight; hypnotherapists call this source the Initial Sensitizing Event (ISE). A situation occurs which the mind is not mature enough to process or analyze. As adults, this ultimately manifests itself as stage fright. Most people suffering from stage fright have no recollection of the ISE and, as such, cannot explain why they have this problem. In their mind, it has just always been there.

There are two parts to our mind: the conscious part and the subconscious part. As you read this, you are using the conscious part to think about and process these words. It is always aware of what is occurring while you are awake. The subconscious part of our mind is like a computer hard-drive with thousands and thousands of computer programs that contain everything we have seen, heard, touched, and experienced.

Up until approximately the age of eight, both parts are of the mind are merged together. This is why children are so suggestible. For example, a child who experiences sexual trauma may repress those memories into adulthood. However, the experience has left a lasting imprint in the subconscious mind. That child then grows up to find him or herself following similar patterns, perhaps involved in drug or alcohol abuse or other negative patterns of behavior. However, the memory of the actual ISE is usually not present.

Hypnosis can be utilized to effectively “reprogram” the software in our subconscious mind. Once placed into hypnosis, the therapist invokes the feelings of stage fright to an almost unbearable degree and then uses regression techniques to take the client back to the time when they first experienced this feeling, the ISE. The client is then able to relive this experience with incredible detail by replaying it in his or her mind. Often, the event could be something silly or inconsequential to an adult yet seemingly devastating to a child. Depending on the severity of the ISE, the therapist could choose to reframe the experience to give the memory a positive slant or he could do nothing at all, simply allowing the adult mind to properly process and analyze the situation. The therapist would then have the client fast forward to any future negative imprints which generated similar feelings, the Subsequent Sensitizing Event (SSE), and deal with them in the same way. Finally, the therapist will have the client attempt to bring about the same feelings of panic and, if they are not present, then success was achieved.

In my practice at the Sanders Hypnosis Center in Glen Burnie, I have worked with dozens of professional musicians suffering from stage fright who fit this model. In one case, regression hypnosis for a graduate violin student yielded a childhood incident where she played poorly in a recital and had greatly disappointed her overbearing parents. In another case, a Russian piano player witnessed his private teacher get scolded and fired for working him too hard; he felt responsible for the teacher losing his job and going hungry. Certainly, from an adult perspective, an issue may seem relatively minor. However, to a child it can be extremely traumatic. The effectiveness of this approach is extremely favorable; one hundred percent of my stage fright clients have reported the complete elimination of their problem.

There is no question that hypnosis is a preferable alternative to beta-blockers. Hypnosis is completely natural and safe, and it has no negative side effects. Additionally, unlike beta-blockers, which temporarily address only the physical symptoms of stage fright, hypnosis can cause permanent physiological and psychological change.

For more information about hypnosis and stage fright, visit www.SandersHypnosis.com.

Published in The Baltimore Musician, the Official Journal of The Musicians' Association of Metropolitan Baltimore. Vol. 24, No. 4, June/July/August 2011.

Study Promises Major Breakthrough For Gastric Band Hypnosis

We received an email today from Sheila Granger, the founder of the Virtual Gastric Band Program Hypnosis Program used by the Sanders Hypnosis Sanders in Glen Burnie, Maryland. A pilot study of our Gastric Band Hypnosis Program will be conducted in October 2011, in conjunction with the UK's Humberside Obesity, Nutrition, Education and Innovation Center, The University of Hull, Hull York Medical School and the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Upon completion of the pilot study, the trial will be conducted on an international level. The Sanders Hypnosis Center of Maryland is pleased to report that we will be participating in this study.

This is a major potential breakthrough, which raises education and awareness of Gastric Band Hypnosis and hypnotherapy in general as a valid method of helping individuals.

Note that this study only involves the Virtual Gastric Band Program developed by Sheila Granger, as utilized at the Sanders Hypnosis Center. When inquiring about Gastric Band Hypnosis, be sure that you are benefitting from the same program developed by Sheila Granger, as there are several different competitors out there.

Obesity Surgery Might Not Help Older Patients Live Longer, Study Suggests

June 13, 2011 -- Extremely obese adults who are middle-age or older may not be lengthening their lives by having weight loss surgery, a new study reveals.

These findings differ from previous research, which has shown a modest improvement in survival rates. Other studies done on younger, female, or healthier populations have suggested an increased life span following these procedures.

But this current study looked at an older, predominantly male, and sicker group of adults, and the results did not show a decrease in mortality rates in patients after gastric bypass surgery during a nearly seven-year follow-up period.

"We looked at Roux-en-Y gastric bypass because that was the predominant procedure done when the research was conducted," says study researcher Matthew Maciejewski, PhD, an investigator at the center for Health Services Research in Primary Care at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

The research appears in the June 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Weight Loss Surgery and Risk of Death

Researchers analyzed data from 850 veterans who had weight loss surgery between January 2000 and December 2006 at one of 12 VA medical centers and a similar number of severely obese high-risk veterans who did not have the operation but received their health care from the same facilities. Among the surgical patients, 74% were male and 26% were female. Their average age was 49 and the average body mass index (BMI) was 47, which is considered severely obese.

When researchers compared mortality rates in the surgical group to a matched nonsurgical control group -- who had a similar age, BMI, race, gender mix, marital status, and number of participants who were super-obese (BMI of 50 or above) -- they did not find a lower mortality rate.

Why didn't gastric bypass extend life? Maciejewski says one possibility is that there is no survival benefit from weight loss surgery in this higher-risk, predominantly male group of patients after nearly seven years. A second explanation is that there could be a longer-term benefit that researchers didn't have enough time to observe.

A study from Sweden with a longer follow-up period found a survival benefit in patients, but it was not seen until an average of 13 years after weight loss surgery.

"In the Swedish research, some of the decreases in mortality found a decade or more later were caused by a reduction in deaths from cancer and heart disease," says Janey Pratt, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Loss Center in Boston, who was not involved in either of the two studies. "Perhaps in this latest research, the damage had already been done in older patients, and they're less likely to reap the benefits of surgery in terms of survival.”

Eleven of the 850 surgical patients died within a month of having gastric bypass. That's a mortality rate of 1.3%, which is four times higher than the one seen in an earlier study of weight loss surgery in younger, mostly female patients.

Pratt tells WebMD that it's much more difficult to do obesity surgery on male patients than females because of gender differences in the way fat is distributed on the body.

Women carry more of their fat in their hips and thighs, and belly fat is found mainly in the abdominal wall. But extremely obese men carry much of their fat in the belly, the so-called "apple" shape. They have thin abdominal walls but lots of fat floating around inside surrounding the gastrointestinal tract and organs where weight loss surgery takes place.

Weighing Risks and Benefits of Obesity Surgery

Roughly 220,000 Americans have obesity surgery per year, or 1% of the clinically eligible population, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. These operations, which include gastric bypass or gastric banding, make the stomach smaller so the amount of food eaten is reduced. With gastric bypass, fewer calories are also absorbed because food bypasses part of the small intestine.

"Even though this study did not suggest a survival benefit at nearly seven years, there are a host of other benefits from having bariatric surgery," Maciejewski tells WebMD. It's effective in producing weight loss, it decreases the use of medication for obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and it improves the quality of life.

Pratt frequently does weight loss surgery in people over 60, but she tells her patients that it's unlikely to prolong their life and more likely to improve their quality of life and decrease the number of medications they're currently taking.

Many go ahead and have the procedure. "But sometimes it's the quality of life benefits -- being able to sleep in the same bed as their spouse, sitting comfortably in a movie theater, or cutting their own toenails -- that's enough. It doesn't have to be living longer," says Pratt.

Original source: http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20110613/weight-loss-surgery-middle-age-may-not-increase-survival

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