Hypnotherapy is a natural treatment used to remedy a wide range of conditions, including anorexia nervosa. This is part of a general movement to non-invasive therapies, which are valued for their effectiveness and healing ability, and are increasingly utilised alongside medical options.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological condition, characterised by sufferers having a distorted view of their own body image. They typically believe they are fat, and constantly diet or avoid food to achieve what they believe to be an ideal body type – thinness. The condition can affect anyone, though is often observed in adolescent females and is thought to be partially linked to this impressionable phase of life. New research has also highlighted the fact that many adolescent sufferers carry anorexia into adulthood, with significant numbers eventually succumbing to the condition. Anorexia can have potentially serious implications for a sufferer's health, and may impact on long term fertility, cardiac health and bone density; amongst others.
Anorexia Symptoms
Symptoms of anorexia can take the form of a change in physical appearance – a direct result of the drastic reduction in nutritional intake that sufferers inflict upon themselves. This can take the form of a range of visual clues; from drastic weight loss, a fine covering of hair on the body (termed lanugo) to a prominent jaw line. Behavioural changes that often complement these physical symptoms may include avoidance of mealtimes or anything related to food, depression and social isolation. In severe cases self harm and suicide are also a factor.
Hypnotherapy for Anorexia
Hypnotherapy is a form of talking therapy conducted under the peaceful conditions of hypnosis. Hypnosis is an enhanced state of relaxation that enables the therapist to resolve a wide range of psychological issues, including anorexia nervosa. It is reached by a number of means, with a therapist often getting the client to focus and concentrate on one subject. The subconscious is then more receptive to sharing and dealing with the issues at hand.
Hypnotherapy can have a positive impact on an anorexia sufferer, by altering their ultimately destructive patterns of behaviour. The treatment can also enhance positive thoughts and alter attitudes to eating and food. Hypnotherapy is also used to treat a wide range of other conditions, including anxiety, asthma, depression, phobias, insomnia, stress and panic attacks; amongst others. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy should only be experienced under the guidance of a trained hypnotherapist, in which case it is perfectly safe. Sessions would typically occur on a regular basis, with goals set by the therapist and client, and reviewed periodically.
Find out about other natural treatments for anorexia nervosa.
Originally published on Aug 30, 2010
