Can I be hypnotized?

I am intrigued by hypnosis.  I have always doubted I could be hypnotized.  My wife frequently points out that I am a Capricorn, or a goat.  Apparently, goats tend to be very practical, evidence based, and always skeptical.  Any reference to astrology elicits an eye roll from me; of course, she takes this as evidence further proving her point.  I admit I am innately skeptical of anything “spiritual” or requiring faith.  Needless to say, I do not regularly attend church.  There are similarities between some alternative therapies and religion.  Both require openness to ideas that might initially seem counterintuitive and a willingness to be healed.  I have always struggled with blind faith.  I want to know why things are the way they are.  “Just believe” is a hard pill for me to swallow.  

            Last week, my wife’s college roommate and her family spent a night at our house on their way to Alabama.  Both she and her husband are close friends and wonderful conversationalists.  At some point, the discussion turned to my explorations of alternative medicine and the next experience on my ledger:  hypnotherapy.  David regaled me with his experiences being hypnotized.  He recounted one episode at a local bar where my wife and his future spouse, Christina, were also present.  He and several others were chosen out of the crowd to be hypnotized on the stage.  The hypnotist realized David was the most susceptible to being hypnotized and gave him additional instructions.  The hypnotist had David fill his pockets with napkins and then planted the trigger that once David returned to his seat, he would feel the napkins burning his legs, and he would jump up and exclaim a particular phrase.  After being awakened, David returned to his seat.  Upon sitting down, he immediately leapt to his feet and exclaimed “I am Tarzan, King of the Monkeys” as he frantically tore the burning napkins from his pockets.  David had clearly been hypnotized.   Hearing this story made me wonder if I too can be hypnotized.  David will be the first to admit he is very receptive to otherworldly ideas.  His astrologic sign is Gemini, same as my wife, which they both claim make them more spiritual and open to new ideas.  Baah, I say.  Now, I really want to be hypnotized.  I may have been resistant to hypnotism three years ago, but I think it might work now.  My alternative medicine experiences have opened my eyes and hopefully made me more receptive to new approaches.  I decide it is time to book an appointment.

            There are a plethora of hypnotists in Asheville.  How will I choose one?  One word: Groupon.  I am an avid fan of Groupon.  Who knew there were so many things I needed, and all at half price?  Groupon has a half price deal for two hypnotherapy sessions with a CD to boot.  I check out the doctor’s web page, and I am impressed.  The doctor not only has a PhD, but a whole bunch of other letters in her title.  She even has a friendly picture of her and her horse.  What more can I ask for?  The website has a listing of common problems treated with hypnotism and supporting scientific literature for the claims.  Anxiety and insomnia are the reasons I seek help (as well as the general desire to see if I can be hypnotized).  The past several weeks have been very stressful.  Work has been busy, even though I work at a VA, and I have been racing against several looming deadlines.  As a result, I have felt like I have a hole in the pit of my stomach, and I have not been sleeping well.   Unlike the past when I had difficulty falling asleep, I am now waking up throughout the night and having difficulty falling back asleep.  My type A personality has been in overdrive.  I am eager to see if hypnotherapy will work for me.   I purchase the Groupon and schedule an appointment.

In two weeks . . . my visit to the hypnotist (next week I will be at the beach and there will be no blog post)