Eating Disorders – Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Selective Eating Disorder

The causes behind Eating Disorders, such as Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating – can be complex and the effects can be serious, and in some cases, life-threatening.   Hypnotherapy can also be used for various eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating.  Hypnotherapy may be used alongside medical treatments and other therapies such as Interpersonal therapy and Family therapy. *

Eating Disorders and how Hypnotherapy may help with Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Selective Eating Disorder

In an article entitled “Using Hypnotherapy to Counter Anorexia”,  22 March 2016   The National Council for Hypnotherapy explains

“Hypnotherapy can use the power of suggestion to change habits and thoughts and with eating disorders like anorexia the hypnotherapist would try to facilitate a change in thinking when it comes to eating.

This will help the therapist understand the root cause of the eating disorder and will, obviously, help with recovery. By using regression techniques, the therapist will go into the client’s subconscious to find the event, comment or situation that could have led to the eating disorder.….

In treating a client with an eating disorder, a hypnotherapist will use positive suggestions under hypnosis can also help them change the way they see themselves. This will build a positive self-image and the n the therapist can also teach new ways of thinking about eating, gradually improving the relationship with food.

Hypnosis for weight loss is about changing established negative habits around food and body image and the best results come when the person with the problem commits to this.”

Read the full article by clicking here:

http://National Council for Hypnotherapy   http://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk/6137/using-hypnotherapy-to-counter-anorexia/    22/3/2016

 

The National Hypnotherapy Society (NHS) has also produced an informative news article on “Hypnotherapy for Eating Disorders”.  In this article, it highlights the importance of searching for underlying causes of an eating disorder.  Sometimes techniques such as regression can be used to a cause.  And as well as suggestion work, a hypnotherapist may use tools such as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).  In addition, the NHS states

“Hypnotherapy can also be used to help you cope with issues related to eating disorders. For example, you may suffer with anxiety or stress. Hypnotherapy can help you learn to relax and improve your overall well-being. Issues like low self-esteem and low self-confidence can also be addressed through hypnotherapy.  …   Hypnotherapy for eating disorders can teach you techniques to help you cope with unhelpful thinking.”

Read the full article by the National Hypnotherapy Society “Hypnotherapy for Eating Disorders” by clicking here      http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/articles/eatingdisorders.html 

Two examples of how hypnotherapy has helped to cure eating disorders

  1.  The following article in the Mirror (UPDATED 13:14, 21 MAR 2013)  entitled “Hypnosis cured my eating disorder”  gives an account of how a 24 year old girl, battled with anorexia and bulimia her whole life until hypnotherapy cured her.  She became so thin and weak she would pass out.  The way she interpreted her relationship with food had become a habit.   However, using hypnosis with a trained Hypnotherapist she was able break bad habits with her food and adopt positive, healthy habits.

The Mirror Online  “Hypnosis Cured My Eating Disorder” full article can be read on the following link:     http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/hypnosis-cured-my-eating-disorder-1677173

 

2.  A teenager who lived on a diet of chicken nuggets, chips and white bread has found hypnotherapy has helped with her diet.

Hannah Pound, 16, has had a selective eating disorder since she was two years old which means she would only eat a limited number of white foods. In February (2016) she had hypnotherapy and is now eating a more balanced diet.

She told the BBC she feels more positive about the future: “I can go anywhere and do anything and I feel like a new person.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-35883687?SThisFB   (23 March 2016)

Note:  Due to the complexity of Eating Disorders, and often the potential serious health issues that can go with eating disorders, hypnotherapy should not be seen as a substitute for other medical modalities.  A Qualified and Professional Hypnotherapist will take a detailed medical history from the client and it is likely that they will work alongside a team of other professionals.