QUALITIES OF A HYPNOTIZABLE PERSON
Who can, and who can not be hypnotized
by Barry Toomy
Given enough time and assuming an individual is willing to cooperate, between ninety to ninety-five percent of all people are hypnotizable to some degree. Accounting for this, it is then most productive to speak about the five to ten percent that seem to be un-hypnotizable. There are a number of conditions that may inhibit these individuals from going into hypnosis. Most of the people who exhibit one of these conditions will find it difficult to go into hypnosis. It is not always impossible for them to go into hypnosis, but it may prove to be very challenging. Exhibiting more than one condition will make it even more challenging. The short list below contains five of the more common examples of those who will find it difficult to go into hypnosis.
Severely psychotic individuals will find it difficult to go into hypnosis.
These individuals are usually unable to stay in reality long enough to mentally remain with what is taking place. If their mind wanders from subject to subject or they comprehend the words of an induction with unconventional meaning, they will not be able to follow the flow of the induction that is being presented. Of course the paranoid individual will have a great deal of difficulty trusting anyone let alone allowing themselves to even close their eyes while you are near by.
Individuals who lack attention span, who are unable to concentrate for more than a few moments, or who are severely mentally deficient (IQ below 70) will have great difficulty learning to go into hypnosis.
These conditions may be caused by genetic disorders (Down's Syndrome) mental dysfunction (dysfunction caused by brain damage due to accident or some medical reason), or congenital disorders (Alzheimer's). They may also result from the use of a medication or illicit drug.
Individuals totally devoid of imagination or totally unable to visualize.
These people supposedly exist; however, I have not met any. I have met some individuals who claimed they could not imagine or visualize, but after a few questions from me, and a little practice by them, they realized that they could visualize. Anyone who can remember a relatives' or friends' face can visualize more than enough to be able to enter hypnosis.
Individuals unable to comprehend (such as infants).
Any person who can not comprehend what is being communicated at any level will not be able to be hypnotized. Infants of course can not comprehend any language. Speaking the same language is not totally necessary as a person can go into hypnosis with only minimal verbal communication and hand signals.
Individuals wanting to prove the hypnotist wrong.
These people are probably able to be hypnotized but they have an agenda to prove they are stronger minded or more powerful than the hypnotist. This is a ludicrous idea as the hypnotist is not a controller. However, they will continue to hold to this idea as they have a need to continue to prove it to themselves. Some very skilled hypnotists can assist these individuals into hypnosis, but it is a difficult task. Attempts at hypnosis with these individuals should only be handled by the very skilled hypnotist, as every failed attempt will usually strengthen the individuals resolve.
There are exceptions to this. Even the most stubborn individuals will slip into hypnosis if they would find it to their advantage to do so. They will usually be able to justify the hypnosis at that point as their own strong will shutting down the pain, anxiety, stress, etc.
I have always found it curious that individuals who state that they are too strong minded, are too strong willed, or are too in control of their mind to enter into hypnosis, could find it difficult to enter into a hypnotic state. After all wouldn't someone with a supposed strong mind, control, or will, be able to use their mind to enter into hypnosis easily. I have at times asked the strong minded individuals "So what you are saying is, you have a strong mind, but not enough strength to allow yourself to enter into hypnosis?" I have asked the strong willed, "So what you are saying is that you don't have enough will to will yourself into hypnosis? I have also asked of those who proclaim to have too much control, "So what you are saying is that you have so much control that you lack the control to allow this to happen?" I usually get a "Yes." answer from these individuals. Of course anyone listening to that "yes" answer, hears and understands the meaning. These individuals are not strong minded, willed, or enough in control to allow themselves to accomplish what they want.
I speculate that these individuals feel frightened that hypnosis would demonstrate that they have little will, control, or strength of mind. For some reason these individuals need to hold onto their strength facade and hypnosis is just too much of a challenge for them. Strangely if they ever did enter into hypnosis they would find that they now have even more strength of mind, increased will, and more control over themselves.
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