The Gut-Brain connection is very real. It can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice-versa. Have you ever felt ‘butterflies’ in your stomach?
The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety sadness, elation – all of these feelings and others can trigger symptoms in the gut. This blog explains how hypnosis can help to alleviate these symptoms and how Gut Directed Hypnotherapy can help those who suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Hypnosis is a natural state..
As you may already know, hypnosis is a naturally relaxing state, that when guided by a Clinical Hypnotherapist can help to reframe your mindset and change patterns of behaviours and habits to achieve positive goals. Taking these learnings deep within the subconscious to reconnect your mind and body.
The subconscious mind controls the involuntary functions of the body, including habits and things we do ‘automatically’ for example: breathing. The experience of hypnosis itself is relaxing, so helps with any associated stress and anxiety even before exploring underlying causes.
IBS Defined..
Between 20 – 25% of the population report symptoms of IBS at some point in their lives. Women seem to present more commonly with IBS symptoms. Many people may have symptoms but not go to their doctor, as it can be seen as an embarrassing problem, that people don’t like to talk about. Hoping it will go away, or palm it off as a bug or something they have eaten. Approx 50% of those who are referred to a Gastro-Intestinal Consultant or Specialist will have IBS.
IBS is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder and diagnosed on the basis of exclusion of other ‘serious’ bowel disease. The effects can be crippling for long-term sufferers, as a complex of symptoms are often present without a single cause. The GP will usually treat IBS symptomatically.
Studies actually show the concept of IBS as a disorder of brain-gut interaction with physical and psychological components, which places the emphasis on the perception of symptoms and their impact rather than on the symptoms themselves, is useful when selecting treatment strategies (British Medical Journal)
Symptoms can include..
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, constipation, or an unexplained change in bowel movements.
Other symptoms can also include nausea, headaches, muscle spasm, tiredness/fatigue, back pain, urinary infection as well as associated anxiety and depression.
So What is Gut Directed Hypnotherapy?
Professor Peter Whorwell, carried out a large survey on the protocol and rationale for using Hypnotherapy to treat IBS, as was finding that conventional medical treatment was not helping his patients.
This led to further research, and recognition by the NHS. Concluding that Gut Directed Hypnotherapy is highly effective. It modulates the Brain-Gut pathway and sensory motor functions.
Findings showed that he found, not only does Gut Directed Hypnotherapy improve symptoms, but also improves associated anxiety and depression and overall quality of life. These improvements were followed for five years and found to be maintained at approximately the same level on completion of the treatment.
Emotional Affect on the Digestive Tract
There is evidence to show that emotions chemically affect the process of digestion:
FEAR – leads to diarrhoea and lack of appetite
ANGER – leads to constipation and increased hunger
STRESS – leads to hypersensitivity of the gut, pain and abdominal distension.
How Many Sessions do I Need, and What does it Involve?
The treatment program normally involves 6 – 8 weekly sessions on average. (the amount can vary and will be based on the individual’s needs). Gut Directed Hypnotherapy is a targeted form of hypnosis that is specifically designed to treat functional gut disorders like IBS.
It involves progressive relaxation, and then suggestions of soothing imagery and sensations focussed on the individuals symptoms. The client is fully in control at all times. Sitting back and listening to the therapist, focussing on scenes and imagery as directed. It really is as simple as that!
During your treatment you may also be given self hypnosis recordings to listen to on a daily basis for the duration of the treatment. This is an important complement to treatment success, and has the added benefits of reducing stress and anxiety.
When am I likely to see results?
Generally, most clients will start to show improvements within 4-6 weeks, following weekly sessions.
Clinical studies have shown, using Gut Directed Hypnotherapy is an effective Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) treatment improving gastrointestinal symptoms in people by 70 – 80%.
And Longer Term..
Everyone responds differently, however, long term follow up studies show that treatment success is maintained for up to five years. This does not mean it will reappear after 5 years. The study only followed the patients for 5 years.
It is not unusual for some patients to relapse and return for a top up or follow up session or two to re-establish positive outcomes.
Would Gut Directed Hypnotherapy work for me?
We all have an innate ability to be hypnotised, and we experience altered states of awareness in our normal daily lives, absorbing information on both a subliminal level as well as a conscious one.
For example, when did you last drive somewhere, and suddenly realise you had gone into ‘Auto’ pilot for part of the journey, perhaps arriving at your destination with barely any conscious memory of the journey you just took!
Your subconscious competence enables you to drive safely, while another part of your mind daydreams.
Or are you an avid book reader? Perhaps deeply engrossed in a book, completely shutting off from any distractions/the outside world, the time can fly by without you noticing.
For Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy one does not need to be able to go into a deep trance to experience a positive outcome. In other words trance depth is not indicative of treatment success.
Many people self diagnose themselves for IBS, but diagnosis of IBS, should always be confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner before seeking help.
Next Steps
So as you can see, Gut Directed Hypnotherapy can be a great way to manage your IBS, as a complementary therapy. Not only to help control your IBS but also in improving your overall well-being and quality of life.
So why not contact me today, by clicking on the link below, to see how Gut Directed Hypnotherapy for IBS can work for you?
You can also view my short YouTube clip below for further information on Hypnotherapy for IBS.
YouTube Clip Hypnotherapy for IBS
