The benefits of hypnotherapy with anxiety disorders has been an area of extensive research. In a neurochemical study of hypnotic control of pain,
patients suffering arthritic pain showed a reduction in pain, anxiety and depression after hypnotherapy.
Other studies have determined that hypnotherapy helps to reduce preoperative anxiety. Research at Yale University School of Medicine revealed
that hypnotherapy significantly alleviated preoperative anxiety and increased beta endorphin-like substances as compared to placebo.
On entrance to the operating rooms, the hypnotherapy group had a 56% decrease in their anxiety levels.
A specific type of hypnotherapy called "rapid relaxation" consists of a brief set of suggestions that are usually administered while
undergoing a procedure at the dentist. Scientists at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia used rapid relaxation therapy to alleviate preoperative
anxiety and increase beta endorphin-like substances.
The therapeutic uses for hypnotherapy and anxiety have been demonstrated in all age groups. In one study of school children who refused to go to
school because of high anxiety, hypnotherapy reduced anxiety levels enough that the children were able to attend school.
Another study demonstrated that hypnotherapy reduced anxiety in children with PTSD and complicated bereavement.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide the imagination toward a relaxed, focused state.
It involves going into a state of deep relaxation and creating a mental image of recovery and wellness. Guided imagery can be done with an
instructor, CDs, or scripts that literally guide the patient through the process.
A number of clinical studies have determined that guided imagery is effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
An article published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing reported on a study where guided imagery significantly reduced anxiety in women
during the postpartum period. The research with 60 subjects noted that those using relaxation with guided imagery had less anxiety and
depression and greater self-esteem than did the control group at the end of 4 weeks.
Guided imagery has proved useful in a variety of contexts with regards to anxiety. One study demonstrated that guided imagery reduced
anxiety in patients with OCD, while other research has shown it reduced anxiety in college students with learning disabilities.
Hypnosis can help anxiety disorders in more than one way. It can directly decrease anxiety and panic by inducing a state of relaxation.
The therapist can also use the hypnotic state to help the patient focus more clearly on issues that might be causing the anxiety. Often
the use of fictional stories, used as metaphors, can give the patient a new way of looking at his or her problems. Story telling is more
permissive than direct suggestions.
It gives the patient a chance to accept or reject the suggestion without feeling that he or she is being non-compliant.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
Fredricks, R. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse.
Rees RL. Effect of Relaxation with Guided Imagery on Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Primiparas. Journal of Holistic Nursing 1995;13(30): 255–67.
Marks IM, O'Dwyer AM, Meehan O, Greist J, Baer L, McGuire P. Subjective imagery in obsessive-compulsive disorder before and after exposure therapy: pilot randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 2000 Apr;176: 387–91.
Wachelka D, Katz RC. Reducing test anxiety and improving academic self-esteem in high school and college students with learning disabilities. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 1999;Sep, 30(3): 191–8.
Domangue BB, Margolis CG, Lieberman D, Kaji H. Biochemical Correlates of Hypnoanalgesia in Arthritic Pain Patients. J Clin Psychiatry 1985;46, 235–8.
Saadat H, Drummond-Lewis J, Maranets I, Kaplan D, Saadat A, Wang SM, Kain ZN. Hypnosis reduces preoperative anxiety in adult patients. Anesth Analg 2006 May;102(5): 1394–6.
Lovas JG, Lovas DA.Rapid relaxation--practical management of preoperative anxiety. J Can Dent Assoc 2007 Jun;73(5): 437–40.
Aviv A. Tele-hypnosis in the treatment of adolescent school refusal. Am J Clin Hypn 2006 Jul;49(1): 31–40.
Iglesias A, Iglesias A. Hypnotic treatment of PTSD in children who have complicated bereavement. Am J Clin Hypn 2005 Oct-2006 Jan;48(2-3): 183–9.
The recommendations on this website do not constitute professional advice, substitute for professional treatment, or establish a therapeutic
relationship. Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D. of San Jose Counseling and San Jose Psychotherapy is a counselor and psychotherapist in San Jose, California
providing counseling, psychotherapy, and therapy for individuals and couples with relationship issues, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress
disorder, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, addiction, co-dependency, trauma, abuse, eating disorders, and managing grief and loss.
If you search for counseling San Jose, psychotherapy San Jose, psychotherapist San Jose, therapist San Jose, counselor San Jose, couples therapist
San Jose, couples counselor San Jose, marriage therapy San Jose, life coach San Jose, career coach San Jose, executive coach San Jose, you can find
San Jose Counseling and San Jose Psychotherapy and Dr. Fredricks in San Jose and the Silicon Valley as the leading provider of such services.
In addition to serving San Jose, Dr. Fredricks serves Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Milpitas, Mountain View, Monte Sereno, Cupertino, Scotts Valley,
Santa Cruz, Felton, Sunnyvale, Morgan Hill, Fremont, Los Altos, and Gilroy, California.
Author of Healing & Wholeness: Complementary
and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health
