Hypnosis Can Help Mental Disorders

Hypnosis is beneficial for a myriad of conditions, problems, addictions and for self-improvement purposes. Some studies suggest that hypnosis can help mental disorders, ranging from depression, anxiety and certain phobias to panic, schizophrenia and psychosis and other mental and psychological problems.

One way in which hypnosis can help mental disorders is through recovering repressed memories. People who have endured traumatic or painful experiences may unintentionally block these memories, which can affect normal behavior and lead to mental illness. Hypnosis can help mental disorders by allowing the patient to recover forgotten memories that may be affecting their current state of mental health, as well as repressed memories that could be linked to their particular mental disorder.

For example, during the First and Second World Wars, soldiers developed mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, due to their experiences. Some doctors used hypnosis to help these soldiers remember and then relive these memories in order to get rid of built-up emotional tension. Consequently, many soldiers were able to recover their mental health.

Patients need to be aware that sometimes, through the unintended suggestibility of the hypnotherapist, false memories can be created. This is why, even though hypnosis can help mental disorders, it is still considered fairly controversial.

Another way in which hypnosis can help mental disorders is by alleviating severe symptoms associated with these disorders, such as calming patients who are severely disturbed. Furthermore, the techniques involved in hypnosis are designed to promote an overall sense of calm, deep relaxation and well-being. Patients suffering from mental disorders can become aware of their feelings, change their behaviors, learn new thought patterns and ways of dealing with problems, and become relieved of symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.

Many mental health professionals are becoming aware of the fact that hypnosis can help mental disorders, and more are becoming open to using this form of therapy.