Hypnotherapy is one of many treatment options used for addressing a range of conditions, including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The benefits of hypnotherapy are vast and contribute to one's wellbeing on a physical, mental and spiritual level, which is why it is a useful tool for improving one's quality of life. Additionally, it has no side effects common to conventional prescription medications. Thus, it is becoming increasingly popular among those looking for safe treatments.
What is ADD?
ADD is one of many behavioural disorders that affects children, and is characterised by a range of symptoms, including an inability to concentrate that leads to careless mistakes, forgetfulness, restlessness and mood swings. Chemical imbalances in the brain are the primary cause of the condition, which is typically treated with medication that attempts to restore the equilibrium in brain activity. Whilst effective, the side effects of these prescription drugs often lead sufferers or parents to seek natural alternatives. Side effects include insomnia, nervousness and a lack of creativity in children. Recent research has found that some ADHD patients only have one aspect of the condition, namely attention deficit or hyperactivity – though some do have both elements.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the term used to describe the therapy that is undertaken when a patient is put in a hypnotic state to open their subconscious mind, making it more receptive to positive suggestions so that they can regain their mind control and address their issues in life. A hypnosis session can best be described as a state of relaxation and concentration, while the subject remains aware of what is taking place in their environment.
It essentially involves attention to one subject, while temporarily suspending everything else, and is conducted under the supervision of a trained mental health professional. This state enables the subconscious mind to remain awake and receptive to initiatives from the therapist. If experienced under the guidance of a trained hypnotherapist, hypnosis is perfectly safe. Besides ADD, hypnotherapy is also used to treat a wide range of other conditions, including anxiety, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, stress and panic attacks.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help ADD?
Hypnotherapy can be utilised to help ADD sufferers to transform their behaviours, gain a sense of control, increase their self-esteem and competence, and reduce stress. An increase in stress levels can worsen ADD and prevent logical thinking, as stress interferes with brain activities in the prefrontal cortex, which can make concentrating more difficult for a person with ADD than it already is. Hypnotherapy sessions calm the mind, thereby reducing stress. When the mind is calm, a person can see their situation clearly, and they can develop effective ways to improve it.
In the same way that counselling is used to identify problems, clinical hypnosis can help the patient concentrate their mind on resolving the pattern of negative behaviour that has contributed to their current situation. This is especially useful for ADD sufferers who have trouble focusing on a subject for any length of time. Incorporating hypnotherapy into the patient's treatment plan and tailoring it to their developmental age is key to improving their behaviour as well as boosting their mental and emotional health.
While it may not necessarily improve the core symptoms of ADD, hypnotherapy can definitely help with the associated symptoms such as sleep disturbances.
Check out other natural ADD treatments that are just as effective as hypnotherapy.
Originally published on Jul 02, 2010
