Can Hypnosis Be Used To Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a long-term mental illness that affects millions of people all over the world. It is marked by intrusive, obsessive thoughts and hard-to-control, repetitive, compulsive behaviors. People often use medication and therapy to treat OCD, but some have also tried hypnosis as a possible additional therapy. In this article, we’ll talk about how well hypnosis works to treat OCD and what you can expect from hypnotherapy sessions.

Understanding OCD

Before talking about how well hypnosis works to treat OCD, it is important to understand what OCD is. OCD is a long-lasting and disabling mental disorder that can have a big effect on a person’s daily life. People with OCD have thoughts or images that come to them over and over again and bother them or scare them. These thoughts often lead to compulsive behaviors or mental acts (called “compulsions”) that are done to try to stop feeling anxious or uncomfortable because of the obsessions.

Fear of getting sick, doubts about whether a task is done, unwanted thoughts of hurting oneself or others, and a need for symmetry or exactness are all common obsessions. Some examples of compulsions are repeatedly washing your hands, checking and rechecking doors and appliances, counting, and putting things in a certain way. These behaviors can take up a lot of time, get in the way of daily life, and cause a lot of pain or trouble.

Most of the time, medication and therapy are used together to treat OCD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs that change the amount of serotonin in the brain are often given to help treat OCD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another type of therapy that is often used to help people with OCD learn to recognize and deal with their obsessions and compulsions.

How hypnosis helps people with OCD

Hypnosis is a type of therapy in which the patient is put into a state similar to a trance. During this time, they are more open to suggestions and can reach their subconscious mind. Hypnotherapy for OCD involves working with the patient to find and change the underlying thoughts and beliefs that cause their obsessive and compulsive behaviors. This can include talking about bad experiences or traumas from childhood, dealing with negative self-talk, and coming up with ways to deal with stress and anxiety.

Hypnotherapy for OCD usually takes place over several sessions with a licensed hypnotherapist. During the first session, the hypnotherapist will work with the patient to build a therapeutic relationship and figure out why the patient has OCD. This could mean talking about the patient’s past OCD symptoms, finding out about any triggers or sources of stress, and making a plan for treatment.

During the next sessions, the hypnotherapist will use techniques like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery to help the patient get into a relaxed, trance-like state. In this state, the person is more open to suggestions and can get in touch with their subconscious. The hypnotherapist may use positive affirmations, visualizations, and other methods to help the patient change the way they think and feel about their OCD symptoms.

How Well Hypnosis Works for OCD

Few studies have been done on how well hypnotherapy works for OCD, and the results are mixed. Some studies have found little to no evidence that hypnosis works as a treatment for OCD, while others have found evidence that it might work.

A study from 2017 that was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that hypnotherapy helped 33 people with OCD who had not gotten better with traditional treatments. Over the course of 3 months, the patients went to 12 hypnotherapy sessions, and their OCD symptoms were checked before and after treatment. The study found that hypnotherapy helped reduce anxiety and depression and made OCD symptoms much better.

A 2013 study in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, on the other hand, found that hypnotherapy did not help OCD symptoms in a group of 24 people as much as standard psychotherapy did for a control group.

Even though there isn’t a lot of research on how well hypnotherapy works for OCD, some experts think that it may be helpful as a complementary therapy for some people. It might be especially helpful for people who haven’t gotten better with traditional treatments or who want to try out new ones.

What to Look Forward to in Hypnotherapy Sessions

If you want to try hypnotherapy for OCD, you should find a licensed hypnotherapist who has experience treating OCD. The therapist should also have worked with people who have OCD before and know how to use cognitive-behavioral therapy.

During the first session, the hypnotherapist will talk with you about your past OCD symptoms and help you come up with a plan for treatment. They may ask you about any past trauma or stressors that might be causing your OCD symptoms, as well as about any medications or other treatments you are using.

Conclusion

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a long-term, debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. Most people with OCD are treated with medication and therapy, but some people may also benefit from hypnotherapy as a complementary therapy. Hypnotherapy for OCD involves working with a licensed hypnotherapist to find and change the thoughts and beliefs that lead to obsessive and compulsive behaviors. Even though there isn’t much research on how well hypnotherapy works for OCD, some studies have shown that it may be helpful as a complementary therapy for some people. If you want to try hypnotherapy for OCD, you should find a licensed hypnotherapist who has experience treating OCD, and you should use hypnotherapy as a supplement to your current treatment plan.