Overload Induction Techniques

Another manner of employing confusion as a manner of hypnotic induction is the use of overload techniques. The primary difference when using an overload induction, is that instead of interrupting a dominant set pattern, the mind is overloaded to a point which makes it difficult for the subject to continue or process information at a normal rate.

The primary intent behind the use of any overload induction technique, or any confusion inducing technique is to disengage willing, but unable clients from fixed conscious processes which limit trance developments.

Disorientation can involve temporal referents, external or internal spatial referents, surreal imagery, conceptual disorientation and, or verbal overloading.

Because overload hypnotic induction techniques are usually ways of talking about unavoidably basic ideas, special attention must be paid to employing a delivery style meaningful enough to develop and maintain attentional absorption.

The effectiveness of an overload technique owes greatly to the subject's inability to let go of constant conscious processing. Thus, what the person is doing, is always that which can be used to induce trance.


A few overload induction techniques which you can play with are as follows:
Temporal Disorientation: the classic Ericksonian Confusion Technique; This technique involves absorbing the client's attention with talk about some common activity, then introducing rapid temporal shifts, and nonsequiturs (Look in our Interruption Technique page for a greater understanding), in an increasing rapid fashion to stimulate disorientation.

Spatial Disorientation: Internal Referent Shits; Disorientation is achieved through rapid shifts in spatial referents - this / that / here / there, right / left / up / down, etc. usually accomplished via a story.

Spatial Disorientation: External Referent Shifts; After the clients attention has been absorbed, confusion is instilled by directing the clients attention to various external stimuli in an increasingly rapid manner. This hypnotic induction technique is said to be excellent for producing a dual consciousness satisfying the need to be "a part of, yet apart from" a situation.

Double Inductions: Usually involving two hypnotists, this system of overload is said to be the most effective. With two hypnotists one would speak into one ear of the subject while simultaneously the other hypnotist into the other ear. There are many different rhythms and approaches to this hypnotic induction technique. One of my favorites is where one hypnotist would use a rapid fire confusion technique into the conscious, or analytical side of the brain (generally the left ear for a typically right handed individual), while the other hypnotist speaks more softly into the right ear of the persons unconscious. The theory behind the effectiveness of this hypnotic induction technique is that it is considered impossible to pay attention to two people simultaneously.
This technique can also be accomplished via a simple technique as demonstrated by Erickson. He would provide a rapid fire confusion type of hypnotic induction for the analytical side of the brain and softly analogically mark a communication to the unconscious creative side of the brain via tonal inflections, and or body shifts.

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