TresSugar

What Do You Think About Hypnotherapy?

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Hypnosis claims to help people quit smoking, stop snoring, overcome fears, and lose weight, but how does it work?

I did a little research and found out that the brain operates in 4 different states: Full Conscious Awareness, the Hypnotic State, the Dream State, and the Sleep State. We spend most of our waking hours in the Full Conscious Awareness state, and as we drift into sleep, we pass through the 3 other states. The Hypnotic State is a place where you are not really thinking, you are just experiencing.

When you are hypnotized, the therapist can then make suggestions to your subconscious mind without your conscious mind getting in the way so you can overcome whatever fears or habits you want to get rid of.

When you are hypnotized, you're in an enhanced state of awareness so if you're contemplating going under, don't worry about doing things you aren't comfortable with -- you are actually fully aware of what's going on.

While it did help my friend quit smoking for a short period of time, I'm still a bit skeptical. Have any of you experienced hypnotherapy? Has it worked for you or do you think it's just a big scam?

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How to Seduce Women Through Hypnosis

GiggleSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:27:56 -0800

What is a loser man's last resort at gettin' the babes? High on that list, I imagine, is hypnosis. It's very hard to believe this isn't some kind of SNL parody, but people, it's real. Basically, some mustachioed middle-aged man narrates very slowly over a scene of a dude enticing a woman back to her place - so that he can hypnotize her and then make out with her while she's under his spell. This pathetic video played at the Found Footage Festival, along with heckling from the audience. This guy's moves are making the gettin' chicks with magic tricks video look like good advice.

Your Skin's Emotional Life

DearSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:00:00 -0800

Ever have a bad case of hives, eczema, acne or psoriasis? Ever notice how a flare-up can coincide with a seriously stressful time in your ife? Psychodermatology, an emerging medical practice, is joining the practice of dermatology and psychiatry in hopes of finding the best solution for these mind-skin troubles.

“An estimated 30 to 60 percent of people who come to a doctor for help with skin problems also have emotional issues that are churning as well,” says Dr. Ted Grossbart, an assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and author of "Skin Deep: A New Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin."

“These emotional stressors can keep the best skin medicine in the world from working," he says. "You’ve got to address what’s going on in the heart as well as on the skin.”

Click here to read more

And what's really interesting is how tools like relaxation, biofeedback, self-hypnosis or psychotherapy are achieving radical results.

In August 2006, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published a study that found 57 percent of patients suffering from alopecia (or hair loss) had total or partial hair regrowth after undergoing hypnosis. And a series of small studies conducted at Carleton University in Canada found half of patients lost their warts after undergoing hypnosis.

If you're interested or if you've been dealing with ongoing skin problems, you can read the entire article here.

Please pass along any stories you have about life problems becoming skin problems!

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COMBAT NAIL BITING

DearSugar — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 07:01:57 -0700

Dear Sugar
I've bitten my nails ever since I could chew, and now that I'm older, I really wish I could stop. It's time to kick this habit and let my nails finally grow, but I've tried over and over again and I always cave in and bite as soon any white appears.

I have even tried that nasty tasting nail polish that is supposed to prevent you from putting your hands in your mouth - but that doesn't work for me. I suck it up and bite my nails anyway. Please help me find a way to stop biting. Nubby Nadia

To see DEARSUGAR'S answer read more

Dear Nubby Nadia
Like any psychological habit, it's going to take self control and discipline. Put mind over matter. If you are at the point where you can recognize that you've got a problem, then you are old enough to control your impulse.

Nail biting is a nervous habit that starts for one reason and then continues for another. It probably started at a time in your life when you really were nervous, and that was how you expended your nervous energy. But well after that anxiety went away the habit stayed. So now, any time you get nervous - you bite.

Nail biting is also an oral fixation. Here are some ways to keep occupied when you feel yourself getting ready for a nibble:

Response Prevention. If you are home, put on a pair of gloves. You aren't going to eat through a pair of gloves (well, I hope not).
Hypnosis. Nail biters often complain that they aren't even consciously aware they are biting. You can buy a hypnosis script here to help your unconscious mind combat the struggle as well.
Dr Phil says that, "You don't break habits. You replace one behavior with a new behavior." If biting your nails is helping you with your nerves, then try putting something in its place. Take a deep breath, get up and go for a walk or maybe even listen to music, or check your e-mail. Basically what you are trying to do is distract yourself.
Get regular manicures. If you are paying to have your nails done each week, then you are putting a monetary value on your hands. It may help you to think twice before ruining your manicure and throwing your money away.

The good news is that once you break the cycle, it can go away forever. Nail biting is just a habit, it's not an irreversible condition. But it's going to take a commitment and will power.

Treatment Options For Trichotillomania

DearSugar — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 10:45:20 -0700

Dear Sugar
In the past year, I began pulling on/pulling out my eye brows. This only happens when I am in a stressful situation, like taking a test. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it. I know it's called Trichotillomania.

I read somewhere that I should see a doctor but I don't think my Mom feels this is a big deal. She yells at me to stop pulling at my eyebrows when she sees me, but I really can't help it.

At one point, a part of my eyebrow was looking really bare, so I stopped and it eventually went back to normal. Now, I'm really stressing about finals and the pulling is starting again. Is there any way I can kick the habit for good? Nervous Natalie

Dear Nervous Natalie
Trichotillomania is a serious neurological disorder afflicting as many as 2% - 4% of the population (about 8 million Americans alone). Your eyebrows could just be the beginning of more self-masochism to come.

Get yourself to a therapist immediately. Tell your Mother how stress is affecting you and that you would like help so you can put a stop to your compulsive behavior.

Trichotillomania may be controlled with the right combination of treatment such as; psychotherapy, antidepressant drugs, behavioral therapy and/or hypnotherapy, however, there is no evidence of a cure.

Hypnosis has been known to help many sufferers. When your body goes into that deep relaxed state, it's more susceptible to retain the calming stimulation needed to help begin the healing process.

Sometimes it works right away and sometimes it may take a few sessions. You can learn more about hypnosis and/order an audio tape here.

Cognitive and behavioral therapy seem to be the most helpful treatment since medication alone will not be effective. It can help to replace undesirable behaviors with new behaviors and helps to identify the thoughts that make hair pulling more likely, by replacing them with new thoughts.

Combined with antidepressant medications such as: Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor, Celexa, and in some cases lithium (but these are more of mood stabilizers) this type of treatment deems to be highly successful.

Anger and stress management, problem solving, and relaxation group therapy has also been proven to help. Also, finding support group in your area on the Internet is a good source for support. Try starting here for more info in your area at The Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc.

People have fight and won their struggle with Trichotillomania with the right combination of treatments and support from those close to them. Good Luck.

Persistant Picking Problem

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 09:01:16 -0800

Dear Sugar
My wife has this unpleasant habit of picking at the pimples on her face. But not only does she sit on the sink in our bathroom for hours before bed each night, she also does it in public. We could be out at a fancy restaurant with another couple and she'll disappear to the ladies room for a half hour. When she finally emerges, she's all splotchy and red. Every time I call her out on it, she acts like she is surprised other people can spot her spots. She also tells me she finds it relaxing. I find it foul! I love my wife and I think she's beautiful. I am afraid she is going to ruin her skin. Do you think she needs hypnosis? Got any suggestions how I can help her?
Horrified Hubby

Dear Horrified Hubby
If she's that obsessed with her skin then I am sure she's tried facials, masks, etc. . . She needs to understand that squeezing blemishes only sends your skin into shock. I think hypnosis is extreme. Have you thought of taking her to the dermatologist? People can be very receptive to fear, and a good M.D. may be able to scare her into zapping her zit examinations. After you go, treat her to YonKa's skincare line. It smells fabulous and it works wonders. Here are a few tips on what to buy: Creme 83 is an everyday face creme for sensitive skin, Creme 11 helps reduce redness, Creme PG is great for calming the skin at the onset of a breakout, and Juvenil is a must for spot treatment. Tell her to drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. This is one area where the old rules still apply. Hubby, if she still doesn't stop -- bust out the oven mitts and duct tape!

You Asked: I Am a Slob - Please Help!

DearSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,
I have this problem. I have had it all my life but it seems to be getting worse with age. I am ridiculously sloppy, unorganized, messy, whatever you want to call it. My car looks like I live in it and my house would look just as bad if my boyfriend didn't clean most of it or nag me to clean myself. I understand people can be unorganized but this is ridiculous. It's getting to the point where it's hard to get by everyday. I worry about losing my job because of my organization skills. I want to be neat, I just don't know what my problem is. My boyfriend says I am lazy and if I just got up and made myself do stuff I would change my tune, but I try and nothing! I constantly find myself drowning in clutter. Could I have a real problem? Is there anything to help? I was considering hypnosis but people tell me it's bogus. I feel stupid for having this be such a problem that seems like it could easily be solved. Hopefully you have some advice or someone else may. - Messy Melissa

To see Dear Sugar's answer read more

Dear Messy Melissa,

It sounds like you are in so far over your head that you just can't get the ball rolling. The only way you're going to fix this problem is by jumping in head first and cleaning up! Start small, with your car for instance. One afternoon take everything out and throw away anything that you don't need. Buy yourself a CD holder and car storage bags in order for everything to have a place. Don't use your trunk as a dumping ground either. It's easy for things to get lost in there and for clutter to accumulate so try to keep your car as sparse as possible.

The same things go when cleaning your home. Sort out what you need to keep and what is simply there because you're afraid to throw it out - don't be a pack rat and be realistic. There is really no need to keep your seventh grade textbook. Buy some plastic storage bins to file papers, off season clothing, shoes, etc. Once everything has a place, it will be easier to keep up with the order - when everything is already messy, it's easier to feed that mess than to clean it.

The trick is making it as pain free of a job as possible. Ask your best friend or sister for some help, get the music going, even pop open a bottle of wine if you want. Another good tip is to reward yourself when the job is done. Treat yourself to a massage, or have your boyfriend take you out to dinner.

It's no wonder you feel as though your job is in jeopardy. Clutter can cause distraction and if your living and working space is a mess, your whole world is sure to follow. I am sure once you see how much better you feel with a clean car or office space, your house will be spotless in no time. I hope these tips help and Good luck!

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Terrible Night Terrors

DearSugar — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 04:10:13 -0700

Dear Sugar
Lately my mom is having horrible dreams where she screams at the top of her lungs in the middle of the night. I hear her from the other side of the house and all of this is happening while she is still asleep. She never remembers her dreams in the morning though. I am worried about her. I am also worried about the cruise we are going on next month. I am afraid if someone hears her screaming they will think she's being hurt or something. Nervous Nora

Dear Nervous Nora
It sounds like your Mom is having night terrors. Oftentimes, the dreamer is hard to awaken and does not recall the nightmare at all, not even the next morning. Some of the causes include: stress, frequent disruptions during sleep, fever, medications and drugs or alcohol. They can be treated by controlling all of these causes, by seeing a doctor about meds, and by hypnosis or biofeedback. I also suggest seeing a sleep specialist about this and there should be one in your area. Try and be patient with your Mother and remember that she doesn't know what she's doing. Reassure her, hug her and tell her that everything is going to be ok. If she won't let you hug her - don't force it. Just agree with what she is saying.