Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is now being recognized as more than just a mild nuisance, or a stress-related condition. IBS, though not life-threatening, can be debilitating for some sufferers. Treatments for IBS include changes to diet, anti-spasmodic medications, muscle relaxants, and stress reduction. Unfortunately, these treatment methods do not help every person with IBS. Patients who do not get relief from these types of treatment may be interested in learning more about complementary therapies such as hypnosis.
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH) was developed specifically for IBS patients and has been proven to reduce symptoms in 80% of cases. Patients with typical symptoms of IBS have realized the highest success rates for GDH. These symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation.
GDH has been studied extensively as a form of treatment since Dr. P.J. Whorwell first introduced it in 1984 at the University Hospital of South Manchester. Dr. Whorwell studied thirty patients in two groups of 15. One group was given a sugar pill and psychotherapy. The other group was given GDH. The psychotherapy group had some small improvements. The hypnotherapy group had dramatic improvements that lasted past the completion of treatment.
Treatment plans vary based on the practitioner and the patient. GDH was developed with 12 sessions conducted weekly. Some hypnotherapists may conduct fewer sessions, such as 6 or 8, and have a longer interval between sessions.
The first session may be devoted to taking a history of the patient's IBS symptoms. Thereafter, each session is tape-recorded, and the patient is instructed to listen to the tape once each day until the next appointment. There may be other tasks assigned to the patient that should be undertaken between sessions. The success of hypnotherapy can be directly related to the commitment of the patient. Attending all the sessions and completing all extra assignments outside of sessions is absolutely necessary.
There are many myths surrounding hypnotherapy. Hypnosis can not make a person do something they don't want to do - it's not brainwashing or witchcraft. The patient is always in control, and can come out of the hypnotic trance at any time. Hypnosis is described by Ken Steinmetz, MHRS, CHT as feeling like "in the morning when you hit the snooze button on your alarm, and you are aware of yourself lying in your bed with eyes closed, not quite asleep, but not quite awake either."
Hypnotherapy is considered a low cost, non-invasive, and comfortable method of treatment. Several people can actually attend hypnotherapy sessions at the same time. GDH is not intended as a cure for IBS, but it can help provide a structure in which the patient can assert some measure of control over IBS symptoms.
Find a Hypnotherapist Near You
National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists (NRHP)
Links to practitioners in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Hypnosis Online
Practitioners in all 50 United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa,
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Professional Board of Hypnotherapy, Inc.
Certified Hypnotherapists in Canada, United States, Asia, Europe, Mid East Eur/Asia.
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Search for practitioners in the UK, Denmark, Israel, Portugal, and Sweden.
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
Search for practitioners in the USA, England (2 listings), Canada (1 listing), and Africa (1 listing).
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
For a referral list of ASCH members in your area, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
130 East Elm Court, Suite 201
Roselle, IL 60172
