False Memory Syndrome

False memories, commonly called false memory syndrome is a very real danger in everyday life, and even more so with anyone in a hypnotic state having his critical factor temporarily dormant so to speak.

Ronald Stephens has a wonderful book entitled "Hypnosis and False Memories", of which I highly recommend to anyone with interest in this area, and that should be absolutely everyone involved in the field of therapy and hypnosis. The main gist of it all is this, we cannot, not have an influence, and everything, and anything one says, does, or doesn't say, and do, has a reflection upon, and adds further distortions to all which are exposed, including ones own memory.

For example: Years ago in my NLP practitioner training I became very curious as to how one's memory actually worked due to a few things stated in our group discussion, and decided to put my thoughts to the test. What developed was this.

Most of my life I have had a dislike for bananas, funny as it may seem, especially since it is the only food that I could not bare, and most often ate everything in sight, hahaha. Anyhow I decided to simply play with the language skills being taught throughout my NLP practitioner training, and quite innocently used my learnings to develop a story, and create a very real belief within my parents, as to how my dislike for bananas came to be. This was done by bringing forth memories they both had of holding me on their knee, and feeding me, and making me eat when I didn't want to, of which they had many, along with combining memories of me loosing my dinner as an infant of which most parents have many fond memories from their own children. To make the long story short, I pieced all of these fragmented memories of their's together creating a very real and up to date story line within their minds. The entire thing was harmless, but rest assured they will never force anyone especially me to eat anything I don't want.

To be so easily able as an amateur, to create a vivid memory in two people at the same time, who were quite conscious and in the wide awake "Beta state", seriously stresses the ease with which false memory syndrome can be created.

The suggestion that false memory syndrome is a problem in the court of law, to me is a severe understatement. As I have proven to myself, what can be done with basic language patterns and a minute understanding of how our minds operate, I find it very frightening how such skills can, and I believe are used knowingly within our legal system.

To further elaborate, the biggest danger is in how the questions are phrased. Questions should always remain non-specific. They should strictly guide, and only ask the client, about the specific events the client is experiencing, unless we are initially directing a client to a specific known event. Properly formatted questions would be “What’s happening now?” or “What do you see, hear or feel?” or “What happens next?” or “Now what are you doing?”

It is suggested that the best way to avoid the temptation to lead a client, is to be extremely careful to remain objective, and unattached to the outcome. The hypnotist should also use a monotone voice when speaking to avoid leading the client. Even during the pre-induction interview the hypnotherapist should watch for early signs of hypnosis, and be careful of his hypnotic language. Most importantly “never” pre-diagnose a client.

Examples of leading type suggestion would be, “Does daddy spank you?” or “Is your father sitting at the table with you?” Once again, one must be careful about putting together pieces of remembered real events and possibly creating a new false memory. Always remember “Do not suggest what you believe is happening … rather, let the client tell you!”

For example take this scenario; let's imagine someone overweight comes to you, and wants to find out why they have a challenge with overeating. During the pre-induction interview they inform you that they eat all the time, and especially when depressed. You decide to regress the client to learn why the client over-eats.
Assuming the client has been led into a fairly deep trance, and using the Affect Bridge Technique you guide him/her back to their first experience feeling depressed.

e.g. Leading Questions (Incorrect)(Correct)
Hypnotist: “What do you see?
Client: “I see my father”.
Hypnotist: “Is he scolding you?”
Client: “Yes.”
Hypnotist: “Do you get sad and cry now?”
Client: “Yes, and now I see my mother.”
Hypnotist: “Does she interfere?”
Client: “Yes, she takes me by the hand into the house.”
Hypnotist: “Does she feed you now?”
Client: “Yes, she gives me ice cream, and is telling me that it will make me feel better.”

e.g. Guiding Questions (Correct)
Hypnotist: “What is happening?”
Client: “I am with my father.”
Hypnotist: “What is going on?”
Client: “I am playing in the backyard with my ball, and my daddy just put a ladder against the house. He is going to paint it.”
Hypnotist: “What happens next?”
Client: “My daddy went to get something, and I’m climbing the ladder now. I like to climb things.”
Hypnotist: “Now what happens?”
Client: “My daddy sees me on the ladder. He yells and runs over. Now he is taking me off the ladder, and (client begins crying) tells me I have to be careful.”
Hypnotist: “Then what happens?”
Client: “Mommy comes over, and asks me to come play with her inside. I don’t want to go inside. I don’t feel good.”
Hypnotist: “What is happening now?”
Client: “Mommy is asking me what would make me feel better. ‘I would like some ice cream please.’ Now I’m going with mommy into the kitchen to get some ice cream.”

So as we can see, it is all to easy to offer possibilities based on assumptions when working with clients. It is due to the ease with which false memory syndrome can be created that we must be very careful and do all we can to avoid creating false beliefs in our clients, because as we all know by now, "what is real in your mind, is real within your structure of beliefs".

email: dr_frank@hypnoticadvancements.com

Mailing address:
Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)
Hypnotic Advancements
3126 McCarthy Court
Mississauga , ON
Canada L4Y-3Z5

© 2004, Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)

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