Everyone's experience of hypnosis is unique. General descriptions of hypnotic state are of: being very deeply mentally and physically relaxed: being aware of what is going on around them: having a calm sense of peace.
It is easier for some people than others to relax. In the same manner, some people are able to go into hypnosis quicker than others, and some more deeply than others. Hynotic trance is a natural state that we all enter several times a day, such as when we daydream, when we watch TV, or maybe when smoking a cigarette. Resistance of entering hypnotherapeutic trance is generally down to preconceptions of hypnosis as a form of mind control, or other misconceptions. At the end of the day, a person can only be hypnotised if they want to be.
Hypnosis is generally a very relaxed state, though it is not sleep. For some people hypnotic trance is like the moment just before they enter sleep, which they describe as not being awake and not being asleep.
Hypnosis and meditation can be very similar in the way that they are experienced physically, and with some forms of meditation, mentally. The main difference is in the specific mental processing which takes place in hypnosis as a result of suggestions. When someone is meditating, the emphasis is generally on achieving a specific internal state whilst in meditation; in hypnosis the primary emphasis is on achieving external changes after the hypnosis session is completed.
Clinical hypnosis is a healing or investigative process. The whole principle is helping and supporting the client, and their welfare is the sole focus of the procedure. Stage hypnosis is a form of entertainment where people perform acts that will hold the audience's interest. The subjects are carefully selected and screened before the stage performance begins, to identify those who will end up on stage. Moreover, they will be open to exhibiting themselves to some degree, and in many cases are likely to have consumed alcohol. An individual experiencing therapeutic hypnosis will become relaxed and still, they will only do what they feel comfortable to do, and remain in control throughout the process. Clinical hypnosis is a safe and secure therapeutic tool that is facilitated under strict ethical guidelines that are based around the client's welfare.
Everyone comes out of hypnosis. In some cases individuals may enjoy the relaxed experience so much that they are resistant to be re-alert. However, experienced and well-trained hypnotherapists have the skills and knowledge to re-alert clients even when there is resistance. An additional fear may be of something happening to the practioner whilst the client is in hypnotic trance. In such a situation the client will drift into a natural sleep state and reawaken. It may take a little longer for full re-orientation to occur, as part of the re-awakening procedure includes returning all sensations to normal. However, after a while the client will have a sense of their normal state and be fully alert.
No-one can be forced to say or do anything that they don't want while experiencing hypnosis. If a suggestion is made that you are not comfortable with, your mind will simply reject it. You're unconsious mind will always keep you safe, you will be in control throughout the process. In the case of something happening that you are uncomfortable with, you would automatically become re-altert.