Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Thanks for all your replies. Lots to think about but main thing seems to be to do some research on the hypnotherapist before going ahead

Hypnotherapy can be an effective method for managing anxiety, stress and a variety of emotional problems. However, it is important to remember that results can vary from person to person, and the effectiveness of hypnotherapy can depend on many factors, including individual differences and the therapist's approach.
If your friend recommends hypnotherapy and you are interested in this method, you may want to give it a try. However, it is important to assess your own expectations and comfort level with this type of therapy before making a final decision.
If you have concerns or questions, you can discuss them with the hypnotherapist at the initial consultation. Also, check with them about their experience, licence and approach to their work. You can also look for testimonials from other people who have undergone hypnotherapy with this professional. I can recommend this medication for anxiety and obsessive thoughts, but consult your doctor before using it. allesleypharmacy.co.uk/pharmacy/product/citalopram/

Sillyoldbird

I was just sent this little piece by someone who tends to panic and i then shared it with my husband who has dreams virtually all the time.... I said it was "like learning lines for the wrong play" and he said "yes, one of my dreams"

I thought it might lighten the thread a bit... but Oh! That poor pianist!

x.com/joannagtweets/status/1761763507584835972?s=48

yes it does work! I went to see a hypnotherapist at a Natural Therapy centre near me 20 years ago for anxiety. As he talked me through a session he recorded it. I have that cassette safe. It works for me. it's as if it pushes the cog wheels of my brain round a bit and I am free of the worry worm.

I tried hypnosis for relaxation, didn’t help.

I had hypnotherapy for a very deep fear of snow which suddenly affected me. I listened to the recording, the psychiatrist voice and mine, the weather warnings etc -
snow will fall etc, roads will be cut off etc. I had been at the
Aberfan disaster, the warnings fitted much, I didn’t connect snow with coal tips,

No it’s more than that sallywally I really really really wanted it to work I was so onboard it was unreal but no it didn’t do a thing I think some people just have a brain that is more easily manipulated I do find it quite hard to really relax I mean even when I really try my mind is still bobbing around from this to that

I had a lovely young man who helped me with dealing with aggressive people assertively. I went twice and it did help. I returned later for help with controlling my alcohol intake which I was worried about. It did help, but self control helped more. I no longer drink wine.

I think as others have said you must really want to do what you have asked the help for, if that makes sense. My hypnotherapist, who was partly a therapist picked up that I still liked a drink in the pub, or with a meal in a restaurant, so that is what I do now. I try and avoid having a drink at home.

I think there are some people who just cannot be hypnotised and I am one. I had two sessions and felt very relaxed, but not more than during a relaxation session, and my brain was still always on alert and felt quite resistant to being manipulated in any way.

I had hypnotherapy last year before a minor op.I had 5or 6 sessions. During one or two of the sessions I felt as if I wasn,t completely "under"but still quite relaxed.Anyway in the end it didn't work for me.I was still uptight on the day.They almost didn't do the surgery as my bp was high.However they did and it was fine.So no hypnotherapy did not work for me.

Me too DanniRae Three attempts got nowhere

I have had over a period of years 3 different attempts at being hypnotised and it has never worked.

Thanks everyone for this good advice. The hypnotherapy would be for the longer term not for the worry of the colonoscopy outcome.

I will tell them about the anxiety and have sedation on the day.

Until then I’ll just have to muddle through- which is much easier since I had th3 support on GN.

i tried hypnotherapy for a needle phobia, it did not work as the person said i had too much control and could not be put under. i hope it works and helps you, i have had about 6 colonoscopies. sometimes the sedation has worked and other times not. please speak them about how anxious you are as they have people who can help and understand what you are going through.

First I hope every goes well and you get a good result personally I would ask for light sedation I did for an endoscopy and knew nothing about it I m sure it’s better for them to have a quiet patient than a petrified one
I am unable to be hypnotised I just cannot ‘lose myself’ As much as I wanted to I tried a GP who was also a trained hypnotist and i was really up for it and thought it would be the answer to all my prayers I ‘went nowhere’
So for any of these things to work you have to be fully able to be ‘taken over’ and fully believe, I think I have too much of an enquiring brain.

Sillyoldbird

LucyAnna my colonoscopy is on Wednesday so not long to wait now.

Oh, glad to hear that. Hope all goes well. Best wishes.

I used art therapy techniques occasionally as part of my job and had been working with a particular person for some time. Noticing an improvement in her mood over time, her GP asked to attend a session to go through her pieces of work with us both. He made some valid comments and then surprised us both by offering her a hypnotherapy session. He was happy for me to attend as well to support her. I remember little about the session itself - I may have drifted off too!.... but her art work changed and moved on extensively afterwards, starting with a trio of pencil drawings of her experience of the hypnosis. I would certainly give it a go myself if I ever felt the need...

Hi Sillyoldbird,
I have had hypnotherapy from two different practitioners for confidence and anxiety issues. I would reinforce some of the excellent posts here. Firstly , different therapies for specific anxiety and lifelong anxiety . Secondly ,obviously , you could probably only fit in one visit before this Wednesday so possibly not ideal for it to work in time for the colonoscopy? Thirdly you do need to want it to work.Fourthly depends massively on the skill of the Practitioner. It did work albeit temporarily for me and think that even the partial success on me was impressive because I imagine that I am a massively difficult subject to hypnotise successfully . I am going to attempt to message you privately with the name of the Practitioner that treated me partly successfully( overall it helped). The other Practitioner was rubbish.
Very best of luck for Wednesday

I've had a Colonoscopy and a laparoscopy one after the other. Beforehand I was terrified. When I got there the nurse and the doctor could see my state. He offered me sedation not fully but more like the date rape drug. He could have done anything to me I did not care.
I also got Diazepam from my GP to take the night before and during the day.
Phone your GP and see if they will prescribe a short course of Diazepam.
It does mean you cannot drive so you will need someone with you and they put you on a bed afterwards until you come around.

HousePlantQueen

^I went through star jumps, running on the spot, throwing our arms around etc etc. Within 10 mins the shear terror had gone^.

Or maybe you scared the dog off? sorry, couldn't resist!

That’s ok 😂 That’s the sort of thing I would say.

SillyOldBird
Then you just have to do it again, and again. 😊
But we’ll done you for giving it a go 👏 👏

Petra I did follow your advice and did some cardio -exercise when you last posted. I have a rebounder (mini-trampoline) that I ‘jog’ on so I used this

It did seem, to help for a while but then the panic builds up again.

I went through star jumps, running on the spot, throwing our arms around etc etc. Within 10 mins the shear terror had gone.

Or maybe you scared the dog off? sorry, couldn't resist!

I think I might have mentioned it before on here but at the risk of repeating myself I will repeat it. ( this is all on YouTube)
When you go into a panic/ stress situation your body is flooded with Adrenaline. Adrenaline is a fuel to help you fight or flight.
Unless you fight or flight that fuel has nowhere to go, you have to get rid of it.
The only way to get rid of it is to move / exercise and raise the heart rate.
On Thursday one of our volunteers went into a panic attack because some knob brought an XBully dog into the shop without a muzzle.
I went through star jumps, running on the spot, throwing our arms around etc etc. Within 10 mins the shear terror had gone.

Thanks everyone, of course I’ll keep you posted. Least I can do when everyone has been so kind xx

Good luck for Wednesday Sillyoldbird. Will you let us know how you get on?