Health issues

Hypnotherapy is now recognised to be a valuable way to help a growing range of health problems*. Please see the sections below for more information on how hypnosis can help:

• MigraInes

• IBS

• Fertility and Sexual Problems

• Stuttering

• Blushing

• Pre-operation Nerves

• Eczema and Skin Complaints

• Conditions Worsened by Stress

MIGRAINES:

Migraines are a common condition that could be described as a debilitating form of a headache. Whilst common they should not be belittled as they can cause a great deal of distress to sufferers. There are various triggers which can trigger the onset of a migraine. However, reducing the likelihood of a migraine occurring and getting rid of it once it occurs, can be a challenge. There is now growing research to suggest that hypnotherapy can be of great benefit to migraine sufferers.

Common triggers of migraines include changes in sleep patterns, medications, hormonal changes, stress, food and changes in the surrounding environment. Symptoms of migraines vary from person to person, but many people report moderate to severe pain that pulsates, worsens with physical activity and interferes with day-to-day activity. In addition people may experience nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound.

There are several ways in which hypnosis can help migraine sufferers. Firstly on a behavioral level, individuals can be helped to avoid triggers such as stressful situations and certain foods. By working with the subconscious mind, automatic behaviours (ones that we do without thinking) can be modified to help reduce the frequency of migraines. Additionally hypnotherapy can be very effective at relieving pain and simple techniques can be used to help alleviate symptoms quickly, whenever needed (see pain). The sufferer can be taught to use these techniques at home so that pain relief is available on demand. Research suggests that hypnosis can be of greater benefit than using simple relaxation exercises alone and this drug-free therapy has been show to have a long-lasting positive effect on people's lives (see references at the bottom of pain pages).

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help you with migraines please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition of the digestive system. It can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. This unpleasant and distressing condition can cause a great deal of discomfort. Although the exact cause is unknown research suggests that stress seems to play a part, and this is where hypnotherapy can help*.

Hypnotherapy is now recommended as a potential treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by the NHS. According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) hypnosis should be considered as a potential treatment option, particularly if the condition hasn't responded to other treatments (Gonsalkorale et al, 2003).

Hypnotherapy can potentially help IBS sufferers by helping to reduce the impact of stress on the digestive system as well as by improving overall well-being*.

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help you with IBS please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

FERTILITY & SEXUAL PROBLEMS:

Many people experience sexual difficulties at some point during their life, sometimes these problems will resolve themselves but if they don’t then professional help may be required. Sexual difficulties can occur early in an individual’s life, develop suddenly after a previously satisfying sex life or develop gradually. It is important that physical factors are ruled out before hypnotherapy is sought, so consulting your GP should be your first step.

Sexual difficulties are generally problems that prevent the individual or couple from enjoying sex, and make sex difficult. The most common sexual problems for men are erectile impotence and premature ejaculation, and for women, failure to reach orgasm or vaginismus.

If you’re experiencing sexual difficulties it is important to first contact your GP to rule out any physical factors. Psychosexual therapy (PST) has proven success rates and is often referred to by GPs and other medical professionals. Sex therapists are trained counsellors who've undertaken extra training in psychological and physical issues related to sexual functioning and they are able to deal with almost any sexual problems that are causing distress.

Hypnotherapy may also be beneficial for individuals who want to release negative or limiting beliefs by identifying the triggers that started them. Learning how to manage and deal with them may then be possible. Hypnoanalysis therefore, may help to identify the root cause of the issue and deal with it.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help you with either fertility or sexual problems please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

STUTTERING:

Stuttering (also known as stammering) is a speech disorder in which the flow and timing of speech is disrupted.

Stuttering includes involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, words or phrases, syllables, and silent pauses or blocks in which an individual is unable to produce sounds. These speech disruptions may also be accompanied by rapid eye blinks, tremors of the lips or other struggle behaviours of the face or upper body. The term stuttering is used to cover a wide spectrum of severity, and ranges from individuals with only minor speech barriers to those who find most oral communication impossible.

WHO STUTTERS?

Stuttering often begins in childhood and can differ in severity in different situations (such as talking on the telephone) depending on the level of anxiety associated with that situation. Research suggests that one in five children in the UK go through a phase of stuttering, and although three in four of those will grow out of it, that’s still half a million people in the UK who stutter. Other research suggests that 1% of the world is affected by stuttering (approximately 66 million people). Stuttering has affected many famous people, including Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Willis and Gareth Gates.

SIGNS OF STUTTERING

• frequent sound and syllable repetitions

• excessive repetitions of whole words and phrases

• struggling with speech

• avoidance of situations where an individual has to talk

• facial tension or tightness in the speech muscles

• vocal tension resulting in rising pitch or loudness

• silent pauses or blocks in speech.

CAUSES OF STUTTERING

There is no known cause of what causes stammering, or why it is triggered in certain situations. However, some research suggests there could be a genetic link and may result from the way some people's brains process speech.

TREATMENT FOR STUTTERING

Although there is currently no cure for stuttering, there are many methods that can improve stuttering to some extent. It is important to get a diagnosis by an expert first and your GP should be able to refer you to a speech therapist who can offer advice on the issue.

Hypnoanalysis (psychotherapy using hypnosis) seeks to ‘unlearn’ behaviours that have been learnt, such as stuttering. Stuttering has a psychological basis and if an individual can speak fluently in some situations, then they can often learn to speak fluently in other situations. Hypnoanalysis aims to access the same state of mind that an individual is in when they are speaking fluently, to help improve their speech in other difficult situations.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help with stuttering please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

BLUSHING:

Blushing is the reddening of the face, ears, neck and often the upper part of the chest, followed by a feeling of heat and tingling.

Blushing is an unconscious, physical reaction that is caused by certain situations, and is a perfectly normal bodily reaction. Some people believe blushing is naturally attractive as individuals are likely to show their true emotions! However, for many people blushing can cause discomfort and distress as they worry about when and where they may blush. The embarrassment of blushing can become so severe for those who are extremely anxious in social situations that the sufferer avoids social contact (known as social anxiety).

Blushing responds well to hypnotherapy treatment (Welsh, 1978). There are two different types of blushing which require a different approach depending on whether or not it is related to what is known as "illogical guilt". Treatment for blushing where illogical guilt is not present requires suggestions to build the individuals confidence often referred to as “ego strengthening” together with a suggestion that deals directly with the blushing. This is a suggestion to the effect that it is happening less and less often and that the client is worrying about it less and less. This reverses the vicious circle built up when the individual started to worry about blushing and replaces it with a beneficial circle.

When illogical guilt is present this needs to be explored and dealt with so that the client can see that his/her feelings of guilt were out of all proportion to what actually occurred.  

Hypnotherapy for blushing is generally conducted over a few weeks. Often clients experience a reduction in blushing within the first couple of sessions and many go on to completely overcome the problem.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help with blushing please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

PRE-OPERATION NERVES:

Those facing surgery often have many difficulties dealing with the anxiety about the procedure and the thoughts of the potential side effects of the surgery itself. Often these people must be treated with mood enhancing anti-anxiety medications, in order to relieve their stress and worry enough for the surgery to be successful. However, there is another alternative that can be helpful in dealing with these preoperative issues, as well as postoperative pain control - hypnosis. This often-overlooked therapy can take a huge amount of stress off those who are facing any type of surgery*.

ANXIETY CONTROL

Preoperative anxiety has been shown to not only cause severe stress, but also to slow the healing process after surgery. The body expends so much energy on the process of worrying about the surgery itself, the energy stores that are needed to heal after the operation is complete have been depleted. A study by Yale University showed that patients who went through hypnosis sessions prior to an upcoming surgery were 47% less nervous, on average, than those who received no treatments at all (Saadat et al, 2006). Hypnosis can make the hours leading up to surgery much more tolerable and less nerve wracking.*

REDUCTION OF NECESSARY MEDICATION

For years, doctors have used hypnosis as a form of anesthesia when medications were not available (see pain). Though now these medicines are in ample supply, often supplementing with hypnosis can help to reduce the amount of anesthesia and other medications necessary to keep a patient comfortable and pain-free during and immediately after their surgery. Many patients who are receiving less invasive procedures are opting to use local anesthesia, coupled with hypnosis, rather than being placed under full anaesthesia (see pain references). Less medication means fewer side effects, which is always desirable for a patient.

PAIN CONTROL

Patients who receive hypnosis and self-hypnosis training prior to a surgery often have fewer problems with pain as a result of their surgery. Many also learn techniques of self-hypnosis that will allow them to work through their pain without the need for powerful painkillers, or in some cases, with no medication at all. Many believe that the positive results seen are a combination of the reduced levels of stress and anxiety, a more positive outlook, and learning the techniques of pain control without medication (Saadat et al, 2006). All of these effects can be achieved through preoperative hypnosis.*

PROCESS OF PRE-OPERATIVE HYPNOSIS

Hypnosis sessions should begin a few weeks prior to surgery. The process involves a combination of therapeutic hypnosis treatments to suggest a positive response and attitude from the patient, plus education on inducing a state of self-hypnosis outside the office. While clinical hypnosis alone is quite helpful, the self-hypnosis techniques are what make the true difference in success. On the day of surgery, the patient can calm any fears and anxieties that pop up by using the techniques they have learned. After surgery, they can also use these techniques to help relieve pain and decrease their need for painkillers and medications.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help with pre-operation nerves please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

ECZEMA & SKIN COMPLAINTS:

When most people think of hypnotherapy they tend to associate it with treatment for addictions or phobias,  but few people know of the potential benefits it can bring to skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. The subconscious part of our mind controls all our bodily functions such as breathing, blinking, and the regulation of all our organs and hormones. It's able to fight infection, heal, mend broken bones and it is this part of the mind that can also be used to resolve skin complaints.

Through making suggestions to the subconscious mind hypnotherapy can be an extremely helpful tool that enables the individual to take control of any itching, discomfort and pain*. In addition there are often other factors involved such as stress, low self-esteem, anxiety and any fears that arise as a ‘by-product’ of the illness. Hypnosis can be of value both for the short and long term relief it can offer. In the short term uncomfortable symptoms can be relieved through hypnotic suggestion and in the long term the role of stress, anxiety and fear can be addressed so that they no longer exacerbate the condition (Stewart & Thomas, 1995)*.

There is now growing research to show that hypnosis can be of real clinical benefit to sufferers of skin complaints, especially those that may be related to stress (Tausk & Whitmore, 1999). If you suffer from eczema or a skin problem such as acne or psoriasis you should speak to your GP in the first instance. However, if the issue remains unresolved and you would like to discuss whether hypnotherapy may be of help please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

CONDITIONS WORSENED BY STRESS:

Any condition that is worsened by stress is likely to benefit from hypnotherapy. Whilst hypnosis is no magic cure it does offer a way for many people to regain control of their life. This simple technique can also be used to help relieve pain, discomfort or emotional stress generated by the condition.*

Many illnesses generate stress by their very nature; they restrict or limit normal life, and this in itself can be a cause a level of stress. Ironically, that stress can then go on to worsen the condition, and before you know it you are caught in a viscous cycle of symptoms and stress. Hypnotherapy can break that link and can offer a new perspective as well as relief from those symptoms that are worsened by stress. Often this external influence, can be all that is needed to transform the nature of the condition and improve overall quality of life.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnosis can help if you suffer from a condition that is worsened by stress please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk

Return to top

Although the exact cause of sleep problems will vary from one person to the next there are certain factors which seem to be related to an increased likelihood of some people experiencing them. Personal trauma, sleep deprivation, medical conditions and some medications are all thought to be underlying causes of sleep disorders.

Hypnotherapy has been used for a long time as a very effective way of altering and reconditioning negative patterns of behaviour. Hypnosis works by accessing the subconscious mind so that old behaviour patterns can be changed and replaced with positive patterns instead. A good example is that many sleep disorders are worsened by stress and anxiety. Usually it is not a situation itself which causes stress but the way in which we react to it; and this is where hypnotherapy can help. By inducing a state of deep relaxation under hypnosis it is possible to gain access to the subconscious mind so that negative thought patterns and reactions to a particular situation can be turned into more positive ones (for further details see sleep).*

Other techniques used may include that of hypnoanalysis which is a combination of hypnosis and psychotherapy as well as visualisation techniques. Visualisation may involve asking someone to imagine being in a particular situation where they feel relaxed and calm.

Regardless of which technique is used, hypnotherapy can offer a very effective way to resolve sleep problems and your treatment plan can be tailored to your own personal circumstances.*

If you would like to discuss how hypnotherapy can help you with sleep please get in touch for a free initial phone consultation: info@harbourhypnotherapy.co.uk