Using Hypnosis in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Pros and Cons

Abstract

In this chapter, we offer a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the use of hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety disorders. We will present evidence that supports its use or not as an adjunct treatment to CBT, also known as cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy (CBH). We will also present evidence that does not justify its use as an independent treatment for anxiety disorders. Due to the amount of research on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and hypnosis, the reader will notice that a lot of the information will be related to PTSD. We will conclude by giving a simple guideline for practitioners interested in developing and using hypnosis as an adjunctive therapeutic tool in their practice.

Focused attention training to decrease anxiety in patientsÓ? candidates to a craniotomy

“…It is usually made up of a series of instructions and preliminary suggestions, and involves focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness 13,14 . This is a technique that induces, through relaxed and focused attention, a high state of suggestibility 15 .…”

Entrenamiento de atención focalizada para disminuir la ansiedad en pacientes candidatos a craneotomía

“…El entrenamiento de atención focalizada es definido por la American Psychological Association (2014) como un estado de conciencia que implica un conjunto de procedimientos que generan un contexto donde se facilita el cumplimiento de las sugestiones en las personas, y usualmente se compone de una serie de instrucciones y sugerencias preliminares, e implica a la atención focalizada y la conciencia periférica reducida 13,14 . Es una técnica que induce, a través de una atención relajada y enfocada, un estado elevado de sugestionabilidad 15 .…”