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Writer's pictureJuan Martin

Is hypnosis effective for anxiety, depression and fear?

Hypnosis is a technique that has been used for centuries by practitioners to treat a variety of mental health disorders. It may be beneficial in treating anxiety, depression and fear in certain persons.




 

Is hypnosis effective for anxiety, depression and fear?


Hypnosis is a technique that has been used for centuries by practitioners to treat a variety of mental health disorders. It may be beneficial in treating anxiety, depression and fear in certain persons.


The approach entails the use of therapeutic words, expressions, or methods by a highly skilled therapist to assist a subject in reaching an altered state of consciousness. Self-talk, imagery, guided relaxation, and music are all possible hypnosis techniques.


The goal of hypnosis is to change a person's brainwaves so they can access resources within themselves that are not accessible when they are fully conscious. According to research, the method can assist some people in controlling their anxiety.


For additional information about hypnosis for anxiety, fear, and depression, as well as several alternatives that might also be useful to some people, continue reading.


Hypnosis for anxiety


Anxiety is a state of unease and anxiety that can make a person sweat, stiffen up, and have a fast heartbeat. Anxiety disorders cause persistent anxiety in their sufferers. People feel overburdened and it disrupts their daily lives.


Because it helps people enter a peaceful, calm state, hypnosis may be beneficial for those who struggle with anxiety.


In a 2016 study, brain scans of 57 hypnotized subjects were performed by researchers. They discovered alterations in the regions of the brain responsible for improved emotional regulation and diminished sensations of self-consciousness.


According to a 2017 review, hypnosis significantly reduces anxiety in cancer patients both immediately and long-term. For those who experienced anxiety associated to procedures, it was extremely helpful.


Hypnosis reduces anxiety the most effectively when used in conjunction with other psychological treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy.


Hypnosis for fear


Individuals' fear can be reduced by hypnosis. Fear has measurable characteristics such as blood pressure and heart rate.


The approach may lower blood pressure by relaxing and calming the mind and body. They can shift their thinking away from their fears once hypnosis has relaxed their body.


Find out more about phobias.


Hypnosis for depression


Depression is a severe mood condition that has an impact on a person's thoughts, feelings, and ability to carry out daily tasks. The illness can take many different forms, but typical signs include :

  • Consistent anxiety or sadness

  • Irritability

  • Lack of interest

  • Concentration or sleeping issues

Depression symptoms can be effectively treated by hypnosis. The change in the interval between successive heartbeats, or heart rate variability, is lessened in those with serious depression. One study found that heart rate variability greatly increases hypnosis, suggesting that the method may be used to treat depression. To corroborate these results, additional research is required as the researchers' sample size was somewhat small.


The use of hypnosis for depression may be just as successful as other well-known psychological interventions like CBT and interpersonal therapy, according to a meta-analysis of hypnotic interventions.


Find out more about the methods of therapy.


Other treatments


Other therapies outside hypnosis may be beneficial for patients with anxiety and other mental health issues. For those who suffer from anxiety, sadness, or severe dread, these treatments have variable degrees of success.


CBT


A type of talk therapy is CBT. It employs systematic psychotherapy over a predetermined number of sessions and emphasizes the present over the past.


The strategy aids people in determining their top priorities and pursuing them no matter what the challenge. The cognitive model, as its name implies, is the foundation of CBT, which holds that a person's perspective on a situation is more important than the situation itself.


CBT borrows techniques from many other forms of psychotherapy, including:

  • acceptance and commitment therapy

  • compassion-focused therapy

  • solution-focused therapy

  • mindfulness

  • positive psychology

  • motivational interviewing

  • interpersonal psychotherapy

CBT may help people who suffer from anxiety and depression. It may, however, be more successful for some people than others. CBT, for example, works better than medicine for panic disorder, while the opposite is true for people with social anxiety disorder.


Interpersonal Counseling


Interpersonal therapy (IPT) establishes a link between a person's mood and upsetting life events.


IPT can frequently assist patients in coping with major depressive illness and may be an alternative to medication. It may also aid in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


Meditation is a type of mental training that requires the person to relax their thoughts. It enables people to experience more peace and physical relaxation, deal with illness, establish psychological equilibrium, while enhancing their general health and well-being.


Some meditation techniques include:


Meditation


Meditation is a type of mental training that requires the person to relax their thoughts. It enables people to experience more peace and physical relaxation, deal with illness, establish psychological equilibrium, while enhancing their general health and well-being.

Some meditation techniques include:

  • mindfulness-based training

  • mindfulness-based intervention

  • mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

  • mindfulness-based stress reduction

Meditation is especially effective for depression, possibly more so than other treatments. In some cases, this strategy is just as beneficial as prescription drugs.


Meditation, on the other hand, is only modestly beneficial in treating anxiety problems. It is also more effective for specific types of depression and anxiety disorders. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, for example, may reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD.


Exposition treatment


Exposure counseling is a mental health treatment in which the practitioners assist their patients in confronting their concerns. When someone is terrified of something, they often avoid it. Exposure therapy breaks the cycle of anxiety and aversion by "exposing" people to whatever they reject and fear in a safe setting.


There are various types of exposure therapy. One of these is in vivo exposure, which entails the subject confronting the fearful scenario, item, or action in real life. Another type is imaginal exposure, in which a person vividly imagines the fearful circumstance, item, or action. When face-to-face contact is not feasible, such as for anyone with a fear of heights, the use of virtual reality is an option.


Exposure treatment can help with a variety of anxiety problems, including:

  • phobias

  • panic disorder

  • social anxiety disorder

  • obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • PTSD

  • generalized anxiety disorder


Summary


In summary, hypnosis is a method of relaxing and calming the mind and body. It may help some people with anxiety, fear and depression symptoms. Individuals suffering from anxiety problems, on the other hand, may benefit the most from a combination of hypnosis along with other psychological interventions.


CBT, interpersonal therapy, meditation and exposure therapy are some of the methods that may help with anxiety.


CBT, interpersonal therapy and meditation may all be beneficial in treating anxiety or depression, whereas exposure therapy tries to help people confront their anxieties and reduce anxiety.






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