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Show Compulsive TV Viqwers Area Really Hypndtizec Millions of Americans are hypnotized every day without even knowing it, especially those who are da ydr earners or compulsive TV viewers, according to University of Utah psychiatrist Martin Nalder. Contrary to popular belief, most hypnotism does not produce a sleep-like trance. Nalder says individuals who daydream or are so engrossed in television that they are unaware of anything else going on around them have actually entered the hypnotic state of increased relaxation, concentration and suggestability. Dr. Nalder, a psychiatrist at the U Counseling Center, instructs students in the largely misunderstood process of self-hypnosis in a free one-hour session that costs $100 in some parts of the country. The students are using hypnosis to unlock the "tremendous power" of their minds, says Dr. Nalder. Most of them are interested in building better study habits, increasing memory retention, or reducing test anxiety. "Basically, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis," the Utah psychiatrist says. "It's not something I do to you. It's something I teach you to do to yourself." Although he teaches some classes in self-hypnosis. Dr. Nalder prefers to work with students on a one-to-one basis. He says self-hypnosis permits a person to reprogram his '. mind. For example, the athlete who believes he is no scholar can reprogram himself to be a better student by repeating suggestions while in this relaxed state. Dr. Nalder teaches students self-hypnosis by a simple three-step process known as the Eye-Roll Lavitatlon method. Orrthe count of one the patient rolls his eyes back, as If he were attempting to see through the top of his head. On the count of two he slowly closes his eyelids while taking a deep breath. On the count of three he exhales slowly, lets his eyes relax, and imagines himself floating in a state of bouyant repose. |