What Can Hypnosis Treat?

Common Conditions Helped by Hypnotherapy

The primary therapeutic application of hypnotherapy is in the field of anxiety management.

1. Stress & Anxiety.   For example, panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, sexual anxiety, work-related stress, low confidence, etc.

2. Habits.   Including mild addictions and bad habits, e.g., smoking, nail-biting, over-eating, etc.  Hypnotherapists should not prescribe significant changes to diet or exercise unless they are qualified to do so.  Change in the use of certain drugs may require specialist advice on withdrawal, etc.

3. Depressed Mood.   A controversy surrounds the use of hypnotherapy to treat clinical depression because of ambiguity in the diagnosis.  Severe cases of depression, especially where the disorder is mainly organic (endogenous) or accompanied by self-harm, suicidal ideation, or psychotic symptoms may be considered contra-indicated for hypnotherapy.  However, mild cases of (so-called) “neurotic” or “reactive” depression, or sub-clinical “depressed mood” (dysphoria), may be closely-related to anxiety disorders and treatable by hypnotherapy.

4. Personal Development.   For example, public speaking, study skills, sports performance, or creative and spiritual applications, etc.

Adjunctive uses of Hypnotherapy

The following are core applications of hypnotherapy when used by qualified medical practitioners.  They cannot be considered so in the hands of non-medical (so-called “lay”) hypnotherapists.  They may require prior medical diagnosis to determine the suitability of the client for hypnotherapy.  They may also require more experience or advanced training on the part of the therapist.

5. Psycho-somatic Conditions.   Conditions caused or exacerbated by psychogenic factors, especially stress-related conditions.  For example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), various skin conditions, warts,

6. Pain Management.   For example, chronic pain, pain in dentistry, pain in surgery, tension headaches, back pain, etc.

Relationship problems or other inter-personal issues are often dealt with indirectly but not by directly working with couples or group dynamics, unless the therapist is suitably qualified.

7. Inter-personal Problems.   For example, relationship problems, familial problems, or conflict at work.  Hypnotherapy may help an individual deal better, e.g., through imaginal rehearsal of assertive attitudes and behaviour.  However, hypnotherapists may not be competent to work directly with couples, families or group dynamics without additional training in these areas.