What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects a lot of people.. As with most medical conditions we need to adopt a holistic approach to treatment and address both the physical as well as the psychological aspects.
The most effective therapy includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy often helping important messages hit home within the sub-conscious mind and allow for positive shifts to take place.
Hypnotherapy for IBS is widely used by leading Gastroenterologists in the UK to treat the psychological side and find it to be a highly effective treatment to relieve IBS and its symptoms.
“Dr Whorwell, a leading Gastroenterologist in the UK incorporates hypnosis into his treatment of clients at the Manchester Hospital – Dr Whorwell is quoted explaining “IBS is ideal for treatment with hypnosis, as there is no structural damage to the body. During the IBS Hypnotherapy, sufferers learn how to influence and gain control of their gut function, and then seem to be able to change the way the brain modulates their gut activity.”
What Are The Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Symptoms vary between individuals, but the following physical symptoms and are common with IBS:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Abdominal contractions, spasms or cramps
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive wind
- Indigestion
- Nausea
IBS sufferers may experience a combination of symptoms, frequently with one symptom occurring more regularly or severely. In addition to the physical symptoms, people may also become anxious, depressed or become socially isolated as a consequence of their condition.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) & Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for IBS
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy are both effective treatments for various health conditions incliding Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS), and research has shown that the combination of these two therapies can be even more effective than either one alone.
Hypnotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of CBT in several ways. For example, hypnotherapy can help clients access and change deeply ingrained beliefs and patterns of thinking that may be difficult to change with CBT alone. Additionally, hypnotherapy can help clients achieve a deeper level of relaxation and focus, which can enhance the effectiveness of CBT techniques such as exposure therapy or cognitive restructuring.
Another way that hypnotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of CBT is by increasing motivation and confidence in the therapeutic process. Hypnotherapy can help clients visualize themselves successfully overcoming their challenges and developing positive coping strategies, which can increase their motivation to continue with CBT and ultimately improve treatment outcomes.
Overall, the combination of CBT and hypnotherapy can be a powerful treatment approach for a variety of mental health conditions, and research suggests that it may lead to faster and more long-lasting improvements compared to CBT alone. However, it’s important to work with a qualified and experienced therapist who can tailor the treatment approach to meet your individual needs.
How Can Hypnotherapy Help with IBS?
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by addressing the underlying psychological factors that can contribute to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. Here’s how:
1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Hypnotherapy can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are known triggers for IBS symptoms. By inducing a state of deep relaxation, hypnotherapy can help reduce the physiological responses to stress and anxiety, such as increased heart rate and breathing, which can exacerbate IBS symptoms.
2. Changing gut sensitivity: Hypnotherapy can help change how the gut responds to certain stimuli, such as food or stress, by altering the sensitivity of the gut. This can help reduce the severity and frequency of IBS symptoms.
3. Releasing negative emotions: Hypnotherapy can help clients with IBS release negative emotions that may be contributing to their symptoms, such as anger, frustration, and fear. By addressing these emotions, hypnotherapy can help improve the overall emotional wellbeing of the individual and reduce the impact of negative emotions on their physical health.
4. Addressing subconscious thought patterns: Hypnotherapy can help clients with IBS identify and address subconscious thought patterns that may be contributing to their symptoms. This can include negative self-talk, self-doubt, and other beliefs that may be contributing to stress and anxiety.
Overall, hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for IBS by addressing the underlying psychological factors that can contribute to symptoms. It is important to note that hypnotherapy should only be administered by a trained and licensed hypnotherapist.
What Can You Expect From A Hypnotherapy Session for IBS
Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help people make positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It has been found to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
In the case of IBS, hypnotherapy can be used to help clients manage their symptoms by reducing stress, anxiety, and tension that can exacerbate IBS symptoms. Hypnotherapy for IBS typically involves the following steps:
1. As your Hypno-psychotherapist I will help you to move into a state of relaxation and suggestibility using various techniques such as guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation.
2. I will then provide positive suggestions related to reducing stress and more specifically managing IBS symptoms. For example, I may offer subconscious suggestions that the clients digestive system is functioning normally, that they are able to relax and manage their stress, or that they are able to eat without fear of triggering IBS symptoms.
3. Also, I may guide the clients through a visualisation exercise in which they imagine themselves feeling calm and relaxed while their digestive system is functioning normally.
4. Additionally I will provide suggestions for the client to continue practicing relaxation techniques and managing their stress outside of hypnotherapy sessions.
Research has shown that hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for IBS, with up to 80% of individuals experiencing a reduction in symptoms. It is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment option that can help individuals manage their IBS symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS
Sessions are offered in-person for those living in Adelaide or Online if preferred. Therapy includes enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy eCBT, Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy helping important messages hit home within the subconscious mind, allowing for positive shifts to take place.
Book A Consultation Today
Sessions are available In-person for Adelaide residents (Payneham, SA) or Online for interstate or international clients.
Please note that every booking will receive a video call link for your convenience, in the event either of us are required to self isolate due to Covid related incidents.
About CBT, Psychotherapy & Hypnotherapy
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT?
CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.
CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT typically includes these steps:
- Identify troubling situations or conditions in your life. …
- Become aware of your thoughts, emotions and beliefs about these problems. …
- Identify negative or inaccurate thinking. …
- Reshape negative or inaccurate thinking.
The problem with using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a single therapy is that our thoughts and emotional responses to troubling situations are stored within our subconscious mind. This means that we need to access the subconscious mind in order to effect any significant changes to subconscious programming. And it is for this reason that CBT is only one part of the solution.
So how do we gain access to the subconscious mind? This is where hypnosis comes in.
What is Hypnotherapy and how does it work?
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis uses guided relaxation, concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is sometimes called a trance state.
Hypnotherapy is not mind control, nor is it a zombie-like state; contrary to how it might appear in the movies and stage hypnosis. In fact, it is just the opposite; you are more in control of your mind by activating your choice to set aside the judgments and sensory reactions of the conscious mind and enter a deeper state of concentration and receptiveness.
It is important to mention that you are in-control, can hear everything that is being suggested AND can bring yourself out of hypnosis at anytime.
For Hypnotherapy to work effectively, your own self-will and eagerness to allow yourself to enter into a comforting state of receptivity with the intention of allowing positive changes to occur in your subconscious mind is essential.
Hypnosis is a state you are guided by your therapist to create for yourself. When you are in the receptive state of hypnosis new suggestions are offered to your subconscious mind. It is important to remember, that these new suggestions should be created collaboratively between you and your therapist.
As it is one of the primary roles of the subconscious mind to protect you, this means that only beneficial suggestions will be accepted. It is comforting to know that we all have this inbuilt safety mechanism within us.
What is Psychotherapy and how does it work?
Psychotherapy recognises the lasting impact of past events that were traumatic for you on some level. The focus of psychotherapy is on compassion, listening and understanding rather than making a diagnosis.
Psychotherapy can be a powerful, life-changing experience which can help you overcome social or emotional challenges, and fulfil your potential.
A well trained psychotherapist can support you to:
- Express your feelings and process them in a safe and supportive relationship.
- Gain deeper insight into the issues you face.
- Talk about things in a confidential environment that you might not feel be able to discuss with anyone else.
- Find better ways to cope with feelings and fears.
- Assist you to make positive changes in the way you think and behave that will improve your mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Improve relationships in your life, including with yourself.
- Make sense of any clinical diagnoses you have had by understanding what has happened to you.
- Heal from trauma.
- Learn to communicate better and tolerate differences in yourself and others.
Psychotherapy can help you with:
- Anxiety and panic attacks.
- Feelings of overwhelm like you can’t cope.
- Dealing with stress or recovering from stressful situations.
- Lack of confidence low self-esteem and lack of self-worth.
- Coping with the effects of abuse, trauma and PTSD.
- Depression and sadness, loneliness, regret, grief or emptiness.
- Anger management and extreme mood swings.
- Difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships.
- Sexual problems.
- Difficulties coming to terms with losses such as bereavement, divorce, unemployment or feeling a lack of purpose or direction in life.
- Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
- Self-harm behaviours such as cutting, burning, biting or scratching the skin, pulling out hair, hitting oneself, or repeatedly putting oneself in dangerous situations.
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviour OCD
- Fears and phobias such as:
- Acrophobia: fear of heights.
- Pteromerhanophobia: fear of flying.
Claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces. - Entomophobia: fear of insects.
- Ophidiophobia: fear of snakes.
- Cynophobia: fear of dogs.
- Astraphobia: fear of storms.
- Trypanophobia: fear of needles.