I know that some people are helped by hypnotists, but I have a hard time believing that people whose fears were as strong as they purport to be on these shows were cured that quickly. A smaller phobia, yes, I could accept that.

I've seen a hypnotist. He didn't put me to sleep; he taught me self-hypnosis, which does help with the anxiety, but it didn't do enough to help my panic disorder (which is why I saw him at the time--I was a teenager).

I didn't know for sure if they were paid, but I just did some Internet searching and it seems they are. Furthermore, guests get paid more if they put on a good show. Figures.

Rick, I think you're right, in that many people are getting something from their fears. But I think there would be a lot more people being cured if this kind of hypnosis worked, despite that.

And how come we never get to see this hypnosis on-air? I understand the privacy thing, but they could film it in a quiet room and put it on TV...after all, these people don't mind coming on TV and showing themselves freaking out, so why should they mind people seeing them get help?