September 2001
Something to think about from Dr. Wil Horton
Using Our Skills to Help the Healing
As we look at the recent horrible events we have faced, and will face in the coming months, I am reminded that we have skills that may help in the recovery process. The terrible images of planes crashing into the World Trade Center; the gut wrenching ordeal of watching people jumping out of the top floors of the Towers; the sight of high ranking military officials, the very protectors of our security, amid the rubble of the Pentagon. These will be forever burned into our memories.
Many of us have been touched personally by the loss of family and friends. It is unimaginable what those experiencing the agony of not knowing about their friends and loved ones fates are going through. My daughter, who is on active duty in the Navy, is stationed in Washington a couple of miles from the Pentagon. I felt the fear then and now, as it has lodged inside my heart. In addition, like many of us, I have friends in New York who are now in my prayers.
People are not able to sleep. Many are experiencing deep depression. It is hard to go about normal routines while our minds are having recurring thoughts and images of the above events. POST TRAMATIC STRESS DISORDER will be a factor for years to come. Due to the humanization of the victims and the constant television coverage, it is as if every one of us are present at the site of the devastation..
The loss of the sense of security, one of our basic needs, has sent many searching for answers when there are none. Anger and revenge are common when you lose this basic need. It will be hard for us to shake the sense of fear where once we felt secure. Anyone who had a low fear of flying may now move into phobia.
Depression and Guilt are settling in for many, as people do not know what to think. When you have no reference point for your feelings, the sense of numbness prevails until you are able to sort out your feelings. Also, many veterans who have experienced the horrors of war will be pulled back into those feelings. Lastly the feeling of helplessness has settled in for so many of us. We want to take a direct action to aid all these troubled people. There is so much talk of protecting and helping the children, but we must not forget that adult minds are just as vulnerable. One of the most common complaints at this time is the effect of a constantly running mind. The consciousness has been so overloaded that it ruminates with thoughts and images. It is hard, if not impossible, to shut it off and sleep or relax, or even return to normal activities.
What can we do to help?
First, sort out your own feelings and vent them. Whatever you are feeling, it is normal. From fear and depression, to anger and retribution, bring them into the open. Avoid falling into the trap of not processing your feelings and helping others instead. Call your colleagues if needed. You are welcome to call me at (941) 697-9104.
Also know that time is a factor. Many react quickly while some of us will have a delayed reaction. Women often will experience the feelings at a faster pace while men have a tendency towards delayed reactions. My wife is angry. I am numb.
Next, let people talk it out, know that there are no answers, no set way to feel. Be prepared to see many reactions in the people who help. This is why you need to clear your emotions, so you do not transfer your emotions onto others. Use your skills to stay centered and grounded.
Lastly realize that we have the skills that right now are greatly needed. The skill of helping others into relaxation. The problem many people are having is the inability to shut off their minds. We have had our consciousness overloaded by these events. As mentioned above, this feeling of a running mind is a common complaint. You can't "turn it off and unwind." The time is now to help people relax.
At times like this you may find people having a problem using a Progressive relaxation. They cannot allow their minds to follow along because their consciousness will get in the way with their constantly running thoughts. You may want to use a Dave Elman technique (attached), which helps to divert the mind. Rapid and instant inductions may help people bypass their critical factors. Also, light and sound machines may help people to relax as they keep their minds busy.
Use your skills for the good of the world.
Here is my modification of the Dave Elman induction technique that I find useful and a Non-Verbal Induction that you may find helpful.
DAVE ELMAN INDUCTION
Dr. Wil Horton's version:
Now take a long deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. As you exhale this breath, allow your eyes to close and let go of the surface tension in your body. Just let your body relax as much as possible right now.
Now, place your awareness on your eye muscles and relax the muscles around your eyes to the point they just won't work. When you're sure they're so relaxed that as long as you hold on to this relaxation, they just won't work, hold on to that relaxation and test them to make sure THEY WON'T WORK.
Now, this relaxation you have in your eyes is the same quality of relaxation that I want you to have throughout your whole body. So, just let this quality of relaxation flow through your whole body from the top of your head, to the tips of your toes.
Now, we can deepen this relaxation much more. In a moment, I'm going to have you open and close your eyes. When you close your eyes, that's your signal to let this feeling of relaxation become 10 times deeper. All you have to do is want it to happen and you can make it happen very easily. Ok, now, open your eyes...now close your eyes and feel that relaxation flowing through your entire body, taking you much deeper. Use your wonderful imagination and imagine your whole body is covered and wrapped in a warm blanket of relaxation.
Now, we can deepen this relaxation much more. In a moment, I'm going to have you open and close your eyes one more time. Again, when you close your eyes, double the relaxation you now have. Make it become twice as deep. Ok, now once more, open your eyes...close your eyes and double your relaxation...good. Let every muscle in your body become so relaxed that as long as you hold on to this quality of relaxation, every muscle of your body will not work.
In a moment, I'm going to have you open and close your eyes one more time. Again, when you close your eyes, double the relaxation you now have. Make it become twice as deep. Ok, now, once more, open your eyes...close your eyes and double your relaxation...good. Let every muscle in your body become so relaxed that as long as you hold on to this quality of relaxation, every muscle of your body will not work.
In a moment, I'm going to lift your (right or left) hand by the wrist, just a few inches, and drop it. If you have followed my instructions up to this point, that hand will be so relaxed it will be just as loose and limp as a wet dish cloth and will simply plop down. Now don't try to help me, you have to remove relaxation. Let me do all the lifting so that when I release it, it just plops down and you'll allow yourself to go much deeper.
(If the subject helps to lift the hand say,) "No, no let me do all the lifting. Don't help me. Let it be heavy. Don't help me. You'll feel it when you have it.
Now that's complete physical relaxation. I want you to know that there are two ways a person can relax. You can relax physically and you can relax mentally. You already proved that you can relax physically, now let me show you how to relax mentally. In a moment I'll ask you to begin slowly counting backwards, out loud, from 100. Now, here's the secret to mental relaxation. With each number you say, double your mental relaxation. With each number you say, let your mind become twice as relaxed. Now if you do this, by the time you reach the number 98, or maybe even sooner, your mind will have become so relaxed, you will have actually relaxed all the rest of the numbers that would have come after 98, right out of your mind. There just won't be any more numbers. Now you have to do this. I can't do it for you. Those numbers will leave if you will them away. Now start with the idea that you will make that happen and you can easily dispel them from your mind.
Hypnotist: Now, say the first number, 100, and double your mental relaxation.
Client: 100
Hypnotist: Now double that mental relaxation. Let those numbers already start to fade.
Client: 99
Hypnotist: Double your mental relaxation. Start to make those numbers leave. They'll go if you will them away.
Client: 98
Hypnotist: Now, they'll be gone. Dispel them. Banish them. Make it happen. You can
Do it. I can't do it for you. Push them out. Make it Happen.
Give your suggestions at this time.
N L P BASED "NONVERBAL" INDUCTION
1) Set the pre-trance state.
Use exact wording that presupposes deep trance.
Hand gesture downward to presuppose deep trance.
Implant the More The More state of mind. ("The more you find yourself resisting, the more you find
yourself deeply relaxing.")
2) Give the signal to open the eyes; reinforce the deep Trance State.
3) Take the client's hand and move left to right above the eye level. Have the client follow with his/her head still.
4) Close the client's eyes with a downward motion. Touch the client if necessary.
5) Perform the Arm Lock for ten seconds.
6) Lower the arm and pull down.
7) Pull down on the opposite arm. Let the arms dangle.
8) Push down on the shoulder with the client's exhale. Do this three to five times.
9) Pull down on the arms. Allow them to flop into the client's lap. Push down on the forearms.
10) Head roll, if possible.
11) Arm lock (5 to 10 seconds)
12) Lower the arm in stages. Pull down on the arm and allow it to flop into the lap.
13) Check for muscle looseness, skin color, and breathing.
14) Repeat pushing downward on the client's shoulders on their exhale.
15) Give the suggestions and/or reinforcements at this time.
You could combine the two for an even more effective relaxation technique.
Once again, please feel free to call me (941) 697-9104 if I can be of any assistance in this time of all of our great loss.