Treating Functional Neurological Disorder ( FND ) with Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of things. Let’s look at what I mean by that before we move on to looking at the specific case of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and it’s treatment.

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that has been gaining popularity as a complementary treatment for FND. Hypnotherapy utilises hypnosis, a trance-like state, in which individuals achieve a deep sense of relaxation and heightened focus during which the therapist guides the client towards changes in patterns of thought, behaviour and emotion. With many conditions a multidisciplinary approach is now applied and a Hypnotherapist May work alongside a team to support an individual client. This team might include a Doctor, a specialist Nurse, a Physiotherapist etc.

A Hypnotherapist unless they also happen to be medically trained, cannot diagnose illness or provide treatment for the actual illness. That is the realm of Doctors. What a Hypnotherapist can do is address some of the specific symptoms of an illness.

FND is a complex condition that affects the nervous system and often results in physical symptoms such as tremors, weakness, paralysis, and seizures, without a clear underlying physical neurological cause. FND is a challenging condition to treat as the symptoms are often linked to underlying psychological and emotional factors. FND is an example of where an appropriately qualified Hypnotherapist May work within or as an adjunct to a multidisciplinary approach team.

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that has been gaining popularity as a complementary treatment for FND. Dr Jason Price of South Tees Side Hospital who specialises in the treatment of FND, spoke at a conference in June 2022 on the benefits of treating FND with Hypnosis. He sets out a treatment plan and strategies to set Hypnotherapy with the multidisciplinary approach he advocates for. Dr Price himself has learned Hypnosis and applies it with his work.

Treating Functional Neurological Disorder ( FND ) with Hypnotherapy

The goal of hypnotherapy for FND is to help individuals reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life by addressing the underlying psychological and emotional factors that may be contributing to their condition. Hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND by:

1, Reducing stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can be significant triggers for FND symptoms. Hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND manage their stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and reducing tension in the body. By reducing stress and anxiety, hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND manage their symptoms more effectively.

2, Enhancing self-awareness: Hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This increased self-awareness can help individuals identify triggers for their symptoms and develop coping strategies to manage them.

3, Addressing trauma: Trauma can be a significant contributor to FND. Hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND process and address past trauma, which can help reduce symptoms and improve overall well-being.

4, Promoting positive thinking: Hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND shift their focus away from negative thoughts and beliefs that may be contributing to their symptoms. By promoting positive thinking and beliefs, hypnotherapy can help individuals with FND improve their mood and reduce their symptoms.

Hypnotherapy is typically conducted in a one-on-one setting with a trained hypnotherapist. During this session the hypnotherapist will make suggestions aimed at addressing the underlying psychological and emotional factors contributing to the individual’s FND symptoms.

In addition to one-on-one sessions, some hypnotherapists may also offer group sessions or self-hypnosis techniques that individuals can use at home. Hypnotherapy is generally safe, but it may not be suitable for individuals with certain psychiatric conditions, or who have certain other medical conditions. For this reason a medical history is taken at the first session and it may sometimes be necessary to seek the approval of a GP to ensure Hypnotherapy is appropriate for the individual client.

In conclusion, hypnotherapy is a complementary treatment that may help individuals with FND manage their symptoms by addressing the underlying psychological and emotional factors contributing to their condition. Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool in a multidisciplinary approach to treating FND and can help individuals improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

To find out more about FND and its treatment, contact FND Hope by clicking the image below.

FND Hope UK