Medical Crisis Overload

 

I spend a lot of time observing human behavior in the context of how my hypnotherapy clients behave and interact with others and deal with crises that occur in their environment. Recently, concern about contracting a devastating illness such as Ebola or Human Enterovirus-68 has been distracting and distressing a lot of people. It is interesting to me that while the likelihood of contracting Human Enterovirus-68 is a more immediate “threat” for citizens in the United States, there is greater concern about Ebola.

Indeed, the recent news that a Liberian man who was visiting his fiancée in Texas had to be admitted into a Texas hospital with this diagnosis has overwhelmed and terrified a lot of people. It was one thing when several American aid workers contracted the disease overseas and were brought home for treatment. But the idea that someone could and actually did bring a deadly and contagious disease into the United States, well, that dose of reality has been hard to process. Meanwhile, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outline strategies to contain the disease and manage/treat it, questions and anxiety-levels remain high. So, too, is the potential for heightened suggestibility that could induce a trance-like state and possibly hinder our ability to identify and respond to an actual (versus a perceived) health threat.

According to John Kappas, Ph.D., hypnosis occurs when message units overwhelm and disorganize our critical mind, which trigger the fight-flight response and triggers a hyper-suggestible state that provides access to the subconscious mind. For example, constant bombardment of information about the lethal nature and symptoms of this disease, plus statistics about how it can (and cannot) be transmitted, increases our anxiety and intensifies our suggestible state. The fact that contraction of Ebola is “unknown” in America and few people here have a subconscious mental script for dealing with it makes the disease seem all the more frightening. Meanwhile, Enterovirus-68 can and has been lethal in several cases but people seem better able to deal with and even accept those symptoms. Perhaps people’s comparative acceptance of that virus stems from the fact that it manifests like a common chest infection—a subconscious known which most people survive—and isn’t accompanied by excessive bleeding, the disturbing symptom for which Ebola is known.

According to the CDC, you must have direct contact with bodily fluids of someone who has the disease to get sick. If you believe that you have had such contact and are experiencing symptoms of the disease, seek medical help immediately to verify and treat the illness or rule it out as a diagnosis. If you continue to feel overwhelmed with anxiety about your likelihood of contracting it, follow CDC recommendations and advice about how to protect yourself from Ebola. I also recommend that you “count yourself out” of the hyper-suggestible state of anxiety whenever you notice that you are or have become preoccupied about becoming ill. To do this, say to yourself: “One, two, three, four, five, eyes open [say your name], wide awake and no longer in a suggestible state.”

As a certified hypnotherapist, it is out of my scope of expertise to diagnose an illness or to recognize/identify specific symptoms that have a psychological or physiological basis. Therefore, I do and will refer clients to an appropriate licensed medical or psychology professional to determine the cause and/or treat that specific physical symptom that. However, once this other expert has ruled out a medical etiology of your symptom, with a follow-up referral from that licensed professional, I can continue to work with you in hypnotherapy, which can provide complementary therapeutic benefits and help to alleviate and/or control these symptoms and help you to pursue and achieve your vocational and avocational self-improvement goals.

 

 

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

Notes From the Universe

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

                As I explained in my last blog titled “While My Computer Was at the Spa,” I had to take my computer in to get some viruses removed from the hard drive and update some other software. Unable to write my daily blog or even watch a class in the hypnotherapy course I am taking, I had plenty of time to think how I could best use all that “free” (ahem) time. It was still frustrating to not be able to use my computer at all, but I have no doubt that my hypnotherapy training helped me stay calm and even relaxed about the inconvenience.

Having said that, I was not surprised to notice that the first post I saw on my Facebook feed when I was finally able to log on was the following quote: “Patience is the key to paradise,” a Turkish proverb. Hmm… Was the universe trying to tell me something? Probably.

 

It was like a light bulb turned on in my mind. As I scrolled through my account, I found more related and inspiring quotes. The following philosophies helped to give me a new perspective on my situation. I hope you find them helpful, as well.

 

 “Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” – Unknown

“Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place.” – Rumi

“When you forgive, you don’t change the past. You change the future!” – healinglightonline.com

“Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don’t have to sit on it.” – 95.1 Shine FM

“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget everything and run’ or ‘Face everything and rise.’ The choice is yours.” – Zig Ziglar

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Keep calm and Hakuna Matada!” – The Glitter Fairy

 

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

While My Computer Was at the Spa

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

 

                Recently, I had to take my computer in for maintenance (a.k.a. virus removal). How could this have happened to me? I wondered as the virus-detection software identified all the creepy-crawlies that were inexplicably, horrifyingly, inhabiting my hard drive. I admit that this discover made me feel a little (okay, a lot) embarrassed. I mean, I had anti-virus protection on my computer! I knew better than to open suspicious links on-line. What had I done wrong?

And yet, there I was: humbled and at the mercy of the technology wizards who promised that they could and would clean up the mess that my computer had suddenly become. They swore they could remove the nasty vermin on my hard drive. Furthermore, at my instruction, they would even install an even more powerful anti-virus program to prevent this from happening again. Or, if it did happen—provided I purchase a continued-protection/maintenance package on offer—I wouldn’t have to pay a dime to fix the problem while I participated in that program. “If it happened again….” What?

Of course, while the technician explained the pros and cons of installing (purchasing) the so-special-anti-virus-software-that-it’s-not-available-on-the-sales-rack, and the special protected-maintenance program he was describing, I went right into information overload. I was already worried and wondering how I had somehow exposed my computer to countless nasty and debilitating viruses. I was learning that the original anti-virus package I had purchased didn’t protect my computer, after all. If I went along with the technician’s recommendation to invest in the package he was offering, I would be entitled to enjoy x, y and z benefits as long as I continued the protection it provided. Oh, and did I mention that this anti-virus software is supposed to be the best available and is used by the government?

That little tidbit of trivia clinched the deal. I knew with every cell in my conscious and subconscious mind what was going on. I could almost feel my critical mind going on a 10-minute break as the technician continued his sales pitch. I could see Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D.’s definition of hypnosis flash in front of my eyes. Overload of environmental message units? Check. Increasing desire to “escape” that sudden, increasing sense of anxiety I felt listening to and having to process all of this information? Check. Increasing state of suggestibility? Check. Very helpful computer technician—I mean, wizard and, at least today, metaphoric life-saver about to—I mean, making­—a sale? Check.

At least I’m protected now, right?

 

 

 Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

Feeling Blocked

(This blog was originally posted on February 26, 2014)

 

                Sometimes, there are no words. No musical notes. No freedom of movement. Your muse has disappeared; your inspiration has taken flight. Suddenly, there is no obvious way for you to tap into all of the inspiration that you have worked so hard to cultivate. What should you do, now?

                Whether you write, paint, draw, sculpt or dance, hypnosis is a fabulous tool with which to release blocks in your creativity because these arts are an expression of the subconscious mind. Here are some practical suggestions to help you get back your creative mojo.

·         Practice diaphragmatic breathing. Draw a slow, deep breath through your nose, hold it the breath for four seconds and then release it through your mouth. You know you are doing this technique correctly if only your abdomen puffs out a little when you inhale; the shoulders should remain even and still when you breathe. Repeat this process several times until you feel the tension in your body start to release.

·         Take a walk or do some kind of exercise to take your mind off the project you are working on. As you focus on the physical activity you are doing, give yourself permission to know and believe that your inspiration will be waiting for you when you return to your desk, easel, etc.

·         Visualize or imagine that you are working on your project. Where are you working? What does the room/space look like? What are you wearing? Who/what is in the room with you? How does the room smell? What is the ambient temperature? How does it feel to handle/work/mold the materials you are using? What is your body doing, and how does this feel? The more details you can provide in this exercise, the richer the visualization will be and the more “real” this creative process will feel for your. Remember: The subconscious mind does not know the difference between fantasy and reality, so imagining or pretending how you will do something is a great way to rehearse doing that activity in the real world.

·         Just start working on the project. Even if your conscious mind hasn’t completely formulated what you want to say, do or express, the physical action of starting/doing this work will reinforce the creativity and technical skills (knowns) stored in your subconscious mind. The most effective way to trigger or re-activate these behaviors is to do them!

·         Give yourself permission to accept whatever you create during this exercise regardless of the form it takes. Your finished product may or may not resemble the project you originally envisioned, but that is okay. This version could be even better than the one you first imagined!

You are not the first person to ever experience a creative block at a crucial moment, and you will not be the last. You can and will break through that wall to tap into your creativity and imagination once more. Remind yourself that you have all of the skills, talent, etc. to overcome whatever is challenging you right now and create something wonderful. Every other project you have ever worked on began as a thought or inspiration. Where did that inspiration come from? Probably the same place that this one you are starting to have right now in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….

 

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

 

Just Go With It



Photo by Sara Fogan

Charlotte Dujardin rode a clinic participant's horse during the seminar.

 

 

                As we get older, it becomes easier to appreciate an experience and to reap the benefit of doing something we don’t really want to do, than when we are children. Even though adults have most of the same subconscious motivations, desires and “knowns” that we had when they were little kids, we also have the benefit of experience. We know that we will learn something from this experience if we just open up our minds and are willing to take in this new information. We know that nothing really does last forever—whether it is a six-hour riding demonstration or that time we get to spend just hanging out with a beloved parent or child. So we just go with it and try something new.

          As adults, we can appreciate that the logic, reasoning, will-power and decision-making faculties we possess in our conscious mind were actually the catalysts for organizing this family time in the first place. I love horses; I train in dressage. My dad says he is afraid of horses, and he doesn’t really know anything about the discipline I ride. But the opportunity to spend “family time” together was the subconscious “known” in our minds that clinched the deal.

                Earlier this year, my dad accompanied me to the second day of Charlotte Dujardin’s dressage symposium at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. This was a big deal for me: I have been a big fan of Ms. Dujardin since I “discovered” her during the 2012 Summer Olympics; the opportunity to watch her teach and ride (in person, not on TV) was an opportunity of a lifetime. More important, I got to spend the day with my father, which hardly ever happens because of our very different schedules and my predilection to spend most of my free time around horses. But, my dad was a good sport. He didn’t tell me that he was bored even one time; I even caught him leaning forward in his seat once or twice to get a better look at what was going on in the arena. He just went with the flow of the afternoon: demonstrations, lunch, more demonstrations and then a question-and-answer session with Ms. Dujardin and her former trainer, Judy Harvey. He even made some very good, informed observations about what he was watching. He wanted to know if my horse could do some of the things he saw being done in the arena; and he seemed proud when I told him that Galahad is working on a lot of those movements (albeit at a much lower level).

At the end of the afternoon, he told me he had enjoyed himself. He said liked spending time with me and that he had a very good day.

So did I.

                               

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

Defense Mechanisms: Undoing and Magical Thinking

Photo courtesy of Microsoft

                My great-grandmother used to spit three times or throw salt over her shoulder if anyone said something that could be perceived as wishing bad fortune on another person or situation. Some people say “knock wood” or literally rap their knuckles on a wood surface to prevent an unwanted event. Others wash their hands or mime this behavior as if to cleanse themselves of an event or relationship they don’t want to be associated with. Many kids still make the “cross my heart” pledge to keep a secret or what have you. (In keeping with my grandma’s fear of tempting fate, I always left off the “and hope to die” part.) Each of these behaviors is an example of a defense mechanism, undoing, whereby a person performs some kind of ritual or gesture to negate the likelihood or power of a potential consequence of a behavior or belief.

Similar to undoing, magical thinking is another form of defense mechanism that entails creating associations—usually imagined and typically based in superstition—between an event and a behavior. There is a great scene in the 1990 film, Betsy’s Wedding, in which Betsy’s dad (Alan Alda) is shooting basketball hoops as he repeats the mantra, “If I make this basket, it will be a great day.” When he doesn’t make the basket, he keeps throwing that basketball at the net until (finally) the ball goes in and he feels relieved that he might have a good day. Other examples of magical thinking include the old adages about breaking your mother’s back if you step on a crack in the pavement or being cursed with bad luck if you walk under a ladder—seven years of it if you break a mirror. Neither undoing nor magical thinking truly has the ability to shield or protect a person from whatever consequence he or she believes could occur if the behavior is not performed. However, every time the possible consequence is avoided by performing the action reinforces the person’s belief in its effectiveness, which further encourages the person to keep repeating that behavior until he or she achieves the desired result.

These and other defense mechanisms are strategies that enable a person to cope with a stressful situation in his or her life. Like other defense mechanisms, undoing and magical thinking are characterized by the following traits: 1) they are unconscious; 2) they are self-deceptive; 3) they contain elements of denial; 4) they distort reality through thoughts and action. Whenever we seem to successfully “avoid” suffering a possible consequence by performing that action, this success reinforces our belief (subconscious mental script) in the effectiveness of that ritual. This success also encourages us to repeat that behavior to avoid negative outcomes in other areas of our life.

Defense mechanisms are fabulous temporary devices that can help us achieve such security. Undoing rituals such as throwing salt over the shoulder, knocking on wood and crossing the heart are great examples of learned (and therefore known) behaviors. According to John Kappas, Ph.D.’s Theory of Mind, everyone is subconsciously motivated to maintain and/or restore a known physical and emotional status of comfort and security. Since the subconscious mind is motivated and even programmed to seek this comfort, we may adopt those defense-mechanism behaviors because we learned them from someone we trust who does or used to do the same thing. However, the primary role of a defense mechanism is to protect the subconscious mind from what it perceives as a threat or “pain” of having to deal with an unknown. These behaviors really only provide a temporary perception of control over the environment. Eventually, we must deal with and resolve the primary issue that has triggered the defense mechanism to achieve personal growth.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014

Medical Crisis Overload

 

I spend a lot of time observing human behavior in the context of how my hypnotherapy clients behave and interact with others and deal with crises that occur in their environment. Recently, concern about contracting a devastating illness such as Ebola or Human Enterovirus-68 has been distracting and distressing a lot of people. It is interesting to me that while the likelihood of contracting Human Enterovirus-68 is a more immediate “threat” for citizens in the United States, there is greater concern about Ebola.

Indeed, the recent news that a Liberian man who was visiting his fiancée in Texas had to be admitted into a Texas hospital with this diagnosis has overwhelmed and terrified a lot of people. It was one thing when several American aid workers contracted the disease overseas and were brought home for treatment. But the idea that someone could and actually did bring a deadly and contagious disease into the United States, well, that dose of reality has been hard to process. Meanwhile, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outline strategies to contain the disease and manage/treat it, questions and anxiety-levels remain high. So, too, is the potential for heightened suggestibility that could induce a trance-like state and possibly hinder our ability to identify and respond to an actual (versus a perceived) health threat.

According to John Kappas, Ph.D., hypnosis occurs when message units overwhelm and disorganize our critical mind, which trigger the fight-flight response and triggers a hyper-suggestible state that provides access to the subconscious mind. For example, constant bombardment of information about the lethal nature and symptoms of this disease, plus statistics about how it can (and cannot) be transmitted, increases our anxiety and intensifies our suggestible state. The fact that contraction of Ebola is “unknown” in America and few people here have a subconscious mental script for dealing with it makes the disease seem all the more frightening. Meanwhile, Enterovirus-68 can and has been lethal in several cases but people seem better able to deal with and even accept those symptoms. Perhaps people’s comparative acceptance of that virus stems from the fact that it manifests like a common chest infection—a subconscious known which most people survive—and isn’t accompanied by excessive bleeding, the disturbing symptom for which Ebola is known.

According to the CDC, you must have direct contact with bodily fluids of someone who has the disease to get sick. If you believe that you have had such contact and are experiencing symptoms of the disease, seek medical help immediately to verify and treat the illness or rule it out as a diagnosis. If you continue to feel overwhelmed with anxiety about your likelihood of contracting it, follow CDC recommendations and advice about how to protect yourself from Ebola. I also recommend that you “count yourself out” of the hyper-suggestible state of anxiety whenever you notice that you are or have become preoccupied about becoming ill. To do this, say to yourself: “One, two, three, four, five, eyes open [say your name], wide awake and no longer in a suggestible state.”

As a certified hypnotherapist, it is out of my scope of expertise to diagnose an illness or to recognize/identify specific symptoms that have a psychological or physiological basis. Therefore, I do and will refer clients to an appropriate licensed medical or psychology professional to determine the cause and/or treat that specific physical symptom that. However, once this other expert has ruled out a medical etiology of your symptom, with a follow-up referral from that licensed professional, I can continue to work with you in hypnotherapy, which can provide complementary therapeutic benefits and help to alleviate and/or control these symptoms and help you to pursue and achieve your vocational and avocational self-improvement goals.

 

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

© 2014