In
a way, some instances of reconstructive surgery is like putting a bandage on a
wound rather than healing the tissue that has been injured. John Kappas, Ph.D.’s
Theory of Mind tells us that we start receiving message units the moment we are
born. Between the ages of five and eight, we start taking these messages
directly into the subconscious mind. Even negative messages that cause
emotional pain such as criticism about physical appearance or intelligence will
be accepted and integrated to help form our life script. Negative messages
create negative beliefs, and unless or until those beliefs are replaced with
positive ones, our self-image will not improve even if the physique or
appearance changes.
To
further complicate this situation, we are strongly influenced by peers and
social trend as we get older. Society also influences our personal beliefs
about what we think is attractive. Furthermore, should we decide to have
plastic or reconstructive surgery to “fix” a perceived blemish in our
appearance, we still might not think those changes make us look better or more
attractive. If you were constantly criticized about your looks or physique, no
matter how clear your skin is now or how fit you are now, those early beliefs
may still make you doubt what you see in the mirror. Increasing the number or
frequency of reconstructive procedures cannot increase your self-confidence or
self-esteem so long as your mental script believes otherwise.
In
other words, the path to improving your self-image starts with improving that
image—yourself-confidence and self-esteem from the inside. “Don’t put in suggestions about being attractive if it’s
not true. Give negative suggestions about negative situations if you were
different: i.e., the downside of being more attractive,” the Hypnosis
Motivation Institute founder suggested. “You have to learn to live with the
[way you look].”
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
