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Hypnotherapy
General information:

What is hypnotherapy?

The term "hypnosis" comes from the Greek word "Hypnos", meaning "dream." Hypnotherapists typically use exercises lead to deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness known as trance. Many people routinely experience a trance while watching TV or sitting at a red light. A person who react abnormally in a trance or deeply focused state, an idea or an image, but that does not mean that a hypnotist can control the mind of the individual and free will. On the contrary, hypnosis actually teach people to master their own states of consciousness. In this way they can influence their own bodily functions and psychological responses.

What is the history of hypnosis?

Throughout history, trance states have been used by shamans and ancient peoples used in ritual purposes. However, hypnosis, as we know it today, was connected with the work of an Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer. In 1700, Mesmer, with magnets and other hypnotic techniques (hence the word, fascinated) to treat people, and although he managed a series of dramatic "cures" for blindness, paralysis, headaches and joint pain, the medical community was not convinced . Mesmer was accused of fraud and his techniques were called scientific.

Hypnotherapy again popularity in the mid-1900s, because using the reputation and career of Milton H. Erickson (1901 to 1980), a successful psychiatrist, hypnosis in his practice. In 1958, the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association recognized the therapy as a valid medical procedure. Since 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended hypnotherapy for the treatment of chronic pain.

Further conditions for the hypnotherapy is often used are fear and addiction. (See "What illnesses or conditions respond well to hypnotherapy?")

How does hypnosis?

When something new for us, remember and learn a particular behavior in response to that fact. The memories stored in our brains hold the original physical and emotional reactions that occurred when the specified memory was formed. Each time similar events at the physical and emotional responses are repeatedly linked to memory. These reactions may be inappropriate or unhealthy. In some types of hypnotherapy, which leads to a therapist trained to remember the incident which led the initial response of the memory of learned behavior, and to reconstruct the event using the new, healthier associations.

During hypnosis relaxes the body of a person, while their thoughts and to focus more closely. Like other relaxation techniques, hypnosis decreases blood pressure and heart rate, and alters certain types of brain wave activity. In this relaxed state, a person will feel very well physically or mentally alert. In this state of deep concentration people are highly susceptible to suggestion. If you try to quit smoking, for example, a therapist can convince the proposal is successful, that in future, have a strong aversion to the taste of cigarettes.

There are different levels of hypnosis. The proposals, the process starts with the reformulation of the problem increasingly relaxed, then (absorbed deep into the words or images presented by a therapist working) distance (let go of judgmental thoughts) no longer comply with (full, a hypnotherapist) in order to return to normal consciousness, and about the experience.

What happens during a visit to the therapist?

On his first visit to a therapist, you will be asked about your medical history and what you see - in other words, the state and if you want to find out about. The specialist will tell but what is hypnosis and how it works. The following are through relaxation techniques with a series of ideas and proposals to change behaviors and alleviate symptoms to be targeted. For example, people who experience panic attacks may be the suggestion that they continue to be able to relax. The therapist will also teach the basics of hypnosis and give you a tape recorder for home use. So that you can re-experience the feelings during the session and reinforce the learning on their own.

How many treatments will I need?

Each session lasts about an hour, and most people begin within 4 to 10 sessions to improve. Together, you and your therapist should monitor and progress over time. Children (aged 9 to 12), because they are easily hypnotized, tend to respond, after only one or two visits.

What diseases or conditions respond well to hypnosis?

Hypnosis is used in a variety of settings - from emergency rooms to dental offices to outpatient clinics - to relieve an emotional conditions and psychological. Clinical studies suggest that hypnosis increases immune function, increase relaxation, can relieve stress and anxiety.

Hypnotherapy is in reducing the fear and anxiety that accompany pain and uncomfortable medical or dental effect. For example, if used during an operation, hypnosis may improve recovery time and reduces anxiety and pain after surgery. Clinical studies can burn on the patient that hypnosis reduces pain (enough) to replace pain and speeds recovery. In general, clinical studies have suggested that the use of hypnosis can reduce their need of medication, to improve their physical and mental condition before the surgery, and reduce the time to recover himself. Dentists also hypnotherapy to control nausea and bleeding.

A therapist can teach skills of self-regulation. For example, someone with arthritis may be told that they can reduce the pain, as volume on the radio. Hypnotherapy can also be an effective tool for the treatment of chronic diseases. Self-hypnosis can enhance a sense of control that with chronic diseases often lose their value. Children can benefit more from hypnosis, probably because they are easier to hypnotize.

Clinical studies in children in emergency treatment centers show that hypnotherapy reduces fear, anxiety and discomfort and improves self-control and cooperation with the medical staff.

Other problems or conditions that are good to hypnotherapy:

* Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (eg Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
* Sleep disturbances, including insomnia
* Addiction
* Warts
* Bedwetting
* Fibromyalgia
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome
* Phobias
* Labor and Delivery
* Fractures
* Skin [such as acne, psoriasis and eczema (atopic dermatitis)]
* Migraine
* Stress
* Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
* Pain caused by cancer
* Weight Loss
* Eating disorders, namely anorexia and bulimia
* Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Are there risks associated with hypnotherapy?

Before considering hypnotherapy, you must obtain a proper diagnosis from a doctor to understand what will be treated. This is especially true if your condition is psychological in nature (eg, a phobia or anxiety), in this case, it is important to first be examined by a psychiatrist. Without an accurate diagnosis, it is possible that hypnotherapy may exacerbate the symptoms. In addition, very rarely, hypnotherapy leads to the creation of "false memories" produced the unconscious, as these confabulations.

How do I find a therapist?

Most hypnotherapists are licensed medical doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists or family who have received additional training in hypnotherapy. For example, members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) has a doctorate in medicine, dentistry, podiatry, or psychology, level or master's degree in nursing, social work, psychology or civil / family therapy with the minimum of 20 must hours ASCH approved training in hypnotherapy. Similarly, the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association, certified Licensed mental health and physical, a complete 6 to 8 weeks course on.