What do people think of hypnotherapy ?
my latest academic paper addresses the issue of what people think of hypnotherapy. Take a look at the abstract
What do people think of hypnotherapy ?
my latest academic paper addresses the issue of what people think of hypnotherapy. Take a look at the abstract
What is the difference between neurosis and psychosis? Let us start by defining neurosis and psychosis.
Neurosis is a broad term rarely used by therapists and psychologists these days. However, it does have some value to hypnotherapists. Broadly, neurosis can be said to be a mental problem in which the suffer is in touch with reality. Often this appears as a logical – emotional dissonance. This means the suffer can tell you that their behaviour is inappropriate but feel it is beyond their control. Typical examples would include;
With neurosis there is an implication that some life event or problem is influencing the problem. This may not always be true as a life event may have initiated the problem behaviour but it may now be a habit.
Neurosis is the most serious level of mental health issue a hypnotherapist may deal with. Psychosis (see below) are contraindicated for hypnotherapy.
is a general term used to describe any set of symptoms where the sufferer is thought to be out of touch with external reality. This may be due to any number of factors such as organic brain impairment or long term stress. Symptoms of psychosis include
If you have any concerns that a potential patient may be out of touch with reality refer them on to a doctor.
Essentially a contraindication is a reason NOT to do something. So in the medical world, which is where we get the term from, a good example would be:
Hypnotherapy is a relatively safe intervention. Many hypnotists will argue that hypnosis is an entirely normal process, no more dangerous than falling asleep. However, there is the issue of how hypnosis is induced and what is done once a client is in hypnosis.
Most hypnotherapists agree that it is unwise to work with people who are in states of psychosis. This means that they have a problem which causes them to be out of touch with reality. Psychosis may include hallucinations, grandiose beliefs, paranoia.
There is discussion around people with epilepsy which occurs when they fall asleep. The process of hypnosis may be related to the state change from being awake to asleep. As a rule with people with epilepsy which is triggered by falling asleep I recommend extreme caution, ask about their medication and how stable they are on their medication, inform them of the facts and when it doubt refer to your professional body .
The most common contraindications which come up in therapy are for a particular type of client with a particular type of technique. For example;
These are but a few examples, and others will be flagged up in technique specific videos. The rule of thumb is think about what you are doing, use your common sense and when in doubt play it safe!
Author – Matt Krouwel is a hypnotherapist in Birmingham (UK). He is also the course leader for the West Midlands School of Clinical Hypnotherapy
Today I’m off to the annual CAMMRA conference to give some hypnosis lessons and talk about the general public’s attitude towards hypnotherapy.
I had the privilege to be an invited guest at last years conference and this year I’m back to present. If last year is anything to go by I can expect a varied and open minded audience of complimentary and alternative therapists (CAM), academics and medical researchers for my hypnosis lessons.
The main thrust of my talk is around the research I’ve been conducting into public attitudes and opinions regarding hypnosis. Sadly I’m currently unable to blog on this particular topic at the moment due to an agreement with the journal which is looking to publish it, but once it’s out I will let everyone know my findings.
Hope you have a great day!
Author – Matt Krouwel is a Birmingham based Clinical hypnotist and course leader for the West Midlands School of Clinical Hypnosis
2016 has only been here for a few weeks and the evidence for hypnotherapy as a tool to aid with pain abounds.
First we have to thank Kendrick et al for reviewing 25 randomised control trials (RTC’s) of hypnotic pain control for acute procedural pain. They found that hypnosis is at least as good as other psychological or behavioural pain control approaches and was especially good;
A meta-analysis of Iranian hypnosis studies (Sayehmiri, ) further confirms its efficacy with evidence from studies totalling 332 patients being combined.
Additionally we have new research from Ardigo et al into chronic pain in the elder, in which 3 x 30 minute hypnotherapeutic pain control sessions out performed an equivalent amount of massage as an analgesic for 53 geriatric patients (27 received hypno, 27 massage). Notably it appears that the hypnosis group benefited from pain reduction for longer.
We also have Del Casale et al publishing a meta-analysis of hypnosis neuro-imaging studies… which is nice and I’m sure people with better neuroanatomy than me will love it.
A big ‘Well done!’ to all those who are moving the evidence base forward in 2016!
Matt Krouwel DBSCH
West Midlands School of Clinical Hypnotherapy
References
Ardigo, S., Herrmann, F. R., Moret, V., Déramé, L., Giannelli, S., Gold, G., & Pautex, S. (2016). Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study. BMC geriatrics, 16(1), 1.
Del Casale, A., Ferracuti, S., Rapinesi, C., De Rossi, P., Angeletti, G., Sani, G., … & Girardi, P. (2016). Hypnosis and pain perception: An Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies. Journal of Physiology-Paris.
Kendrick, C., Sliwinski, J., Yu, Y., Johnson, A., Fisher, W., Kekecs, Z., & Elkins, G. (2016). Hypnosis for Acute Procedural Pain: A Critical Review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(1), 75-115.
Sayehmiri, K. (2016). Determining the Effectiveness of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Pain and Enhancing Mental Performance in Iran Using Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Epidemiologic Research.