Download Hypnovations-Applications of Hypnosis: Anxiety

APPLICATIONS OF HYPNOSIS:
ANXIETY©
Maureen F. Turner, LCMHC,RN-BC,LCSW
Hypnovations: Intermediate
Clinical Hypnosis Workshop
April 9-11, 2010
Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common presenting
issue in Clinical Hypnosis.
Anxiety is also the most easily reduced
and many times, eliminated by the
application of hypnosis and hypnotic
techniques.
Anxiety from a specific situation or
fear can cause some or many anxiety
symptoms for a short time. When the
situation passes, the symptoms
subside.
Many people, including children and
adolescents, develop anxiety
disorders in which there is “no
identifiable cause.”
Anxiety Does Have Causes!
According to Mark Schucket, M.D., of the UCSD
School of Medicine, Generalized Anxiety can
consistently be traced to one of three causes:
1. A reaction to an ingested substance (including
prescriptive medications)
2. A reaction to some physical ailment that has
not been recognized, or
3. A reaction to psychological issues.
While our focus will be the psychological issues -
Non-psychological Causes of
Anxiety are important to screen out!
For Example:
– Anxiety signs & symptoms can be caused by
sleep deprivation, apnea, excess caffeine (8 cups
a day), prescribed stimulants, anti-depressant
enhancers, nicotine (cigarettes, chew, patches,
lozenges), vasodialators in sprays and inhalers,
anti-histamines in cold and allergy medication,
and over-prescribing of thyroid replacement.
(All of the above were mitigating factors with
individuals requesting treatment for Anxiety in
Maureen Turner’s Adult-Child Clinical Hypnosis
practice within the first 3 mos. of 2010)
“No Identifiable Cause”
It is a fair statement and better than educated
guessing or dismissing all anxiety to the
psychological realm.
“No Identifiable Cause” of symptoms may be
akin to the Chaos Theory in field of Physics –
much of what had been dismissed as random
molecular activity – is now being found to be
actually not random but “predictable” and the
assumption of random appears to be a pseudoname for “we don’t know the formula yet!”
(Turner, M. 2010)
Phobias and Panic Disorders
Phobias and panic disorders are two common
anxiety-related disorders.
Phobias are irrational, involuntary fears of
common places, objects, or situations, i.e.,
the “cause” is thought to be known!
Panic disorder is characterized by distinct
periods of intense fear and anxiety that occur
when there is no clear cause or danger.
Hypnosis provides access to cause and treatment.
Clinical Hypnosis – Changes in
Paradigms
l Clinical Hypnotherapist as Diagnostician –
no longer just treating symptoms.
l Patient/Client as colleague on the team
l Clinician and Patient/Client attaining an
appropriate “Working understanding” of:
– the new Brain research on Mind/Body
– Unconscious and Conscious Minds
– Belief Change = Behavior Change
Anxiety – Mind/Body View
Anxiety – a mind/body fear response
to a perception of danger.
This response becomes the “default
(or ‘automatic’ or ‘unconscious’)
response” to the danger stimuli - until
and when - new information is
sufficient to change the response.
First Mind/Body Response to Fear
Normal Freeze – stop, turn toward the
source of threat, assess if in danger
or safe – within .10 seconds
(Amygdala) and decides to Fight,
Flight, or Fright (Abnormal Freeze)
within an average of .25 seconds
Fight = Anxiety Reaction
Flight = Anxiety Reaction
Fright = Panic/Phobic Reaction
Fright/Freeze Response
Fright (Abnormal Freeze/Dissociation) –
inhibition of action (tonic immobility)
meaning resigned acceptance of this new,
unpleasant situation. This may enhance
survival and is therefore adaptive when
there is no perceived possibility of
escaping/ winning a fight.
Freeze, Fight, Flight, Fright,
Faint
Faint – Feeling faint and fainting.
Most associated with the BloodInjection-Injury Type Specific phobia
(BIITS phobia/ “Vaso-vagal Episode”)
which may have a genetic base.
(Bracha et all, 2004; Bracha, 2003)
THE CIRCUITS OF THE BODY'S
ALARM SYSTEM
Amygdala: Trojan Mouse of Motivation
The Amygdala is part of the limbic system
located in the Mid-brain, which coordinates
survival responses and is responsible for
emotional arousal and memory. The amygdala
has been described as “the Trojan mouse of
motivation: Upon this small site, all else
depends. It plays a powerful part in labeling or
tagging an experience as significant. Once an
experience has been tagged, we respond
thereafter in very different ways (Smith, 2004).
The amygdala is very small, the size of a
thumbnail, almond shaped, and composed
of a dozen or so of neural clusters. Each
of these clusters links with different
structures elsewhere in the brain and
utilizes different chemical messengers to
facilitate connections. The amygdala is
involved in regulation of arousal, sleep,
immune responses, movement,
reproduction, and memory (Smith, 2004).
The neuroscientists find that the amygdala
seems particularly involved in aggression,
fear, anxiety, and worry. The amygdala is
closely connected to the frontal lobes
which manage impulsivity, long-term
planning, discrimination and fine judgment,
and goal setting. There are more
connections from the limbic system up into
the cortex than in the reverse direction,
and there are more connections from the
frontal lobes into the amygdala than from
any other part of the brain.
(Smith, 2004).
Trauma =Trigger
– Trauma event memory is stored in the lateral
nucleus – therefore, all information from the
outside world is screened for trauma event
triggers before it even gets to the amygdala
– If the lateral nucleus is “triggered” – this is
communicated to the amygdala which then
interprets what level of fear (anxiety reaction)
to effect.
THE CIRCUITS OF THE BODY'S
ALARM SYSTEM
Imprinting the Fear Response
in the Mind/Body
Prefrontal Brain – perceives the
environment
Amygdala in Midbrain – links perceptions
to emotions – it is now considered center
of the fear process if deemed dangerousthe event is “encoded” by the amygdala
Beliefs Control Biology
(Lipton, B., 2008)
A trauma is “encoded” through a process of
neuropeptide activity that encases the event in total
with all of its senses including immediate prior
trauma events that are now associated as the
cause. ( Lipton, B., 2008)
The “prior trauma events” can be up to 15 minutes
prior to the trauma happening - this can include
laughing and having fun, snow falling, a cold
temperature –just prior to the dog bite, accident, or
news of death, etc.- the prior events can, and often
do, become “triggers” to the mind/body fear
responses. (Turner,M., 2010)
“There is only one way to change
beliefs- with new information!
The “encoded trauma” is then stored
in the lateral nucleus periaqueductal
gray region (seat of immobility) of the
midbrain. There is only one way in to
change the belief(s) of the encoded
trauma (ex. All black and white dogs
are dangerous!) and that is with new
information –
Only New Information can be
transmitted to the Lateral Nucleus
Only new information is able to penetrate
the encoded fortress of the Lateral
Nucleus which is protecting the traumatic
event and that part of the ego state that is
trapped in there.
Any subsequent event that reminds the
lateral nucleus of the original “encoded”
event is stored in the same or near-by file.
Intelligent Cells
Mind and body become one as
neuropeptides chemically
communicate emotions, thought, and
beliefs to cells. The “mobile brain”
translates intelligent information from
one system to another – profoundly
influencing how we respond to and
experience our world. (Pert,C.,1997)
Intelligent Systems
Mind and body become one as
neuropeptides chemically communicate
emotions, thought, and beliefs to cells.
The “mobile brain” translates intelligent
information from one system to another –
profoundly influencing how we respond to
and experience our world. (Pert,C.,1997)
Intelligent Systems (cont.)
It is now become more and more accepted
by neuroscientists that emotions are “the
result of multiple brain and body systems
that are distributed over the whole person”
and that “we cannot separate emotion
from cognition or cognition from the body”
(Ratey,J. 2001)
Ex.: Triggering Unresolved Grief
For example, it is common for an individual
to go to a funeral of someone they hardly
know or know not at all – but is a relative
of a friend, colleague, classmate, etc. and
attendance is out of respect and support of
them. It is also common for this same
individual to find themselves tearing,
crying, and even sobbing in sympathy
(because it triggered a memory of
personal loss(es) that are still traumatic.
Hypnosis:
Beliefs,Emotions,Behavior
Change
Most basic beliefs are established
by the time a child is 5 years old.
Basic beliefs (positive and
negative) are “cause-effect” in
outcome.
The Making of a Fear
Response Imprint
Since most imprints occur in
childhood – the child is dependent
upon the adult or older child to define
the danger and response. Children
believe what they are told, and in
danger – do what they are told.
Beliefs make sense
Beliefs provide for protection and
mastery over one’s environment. The
belief dictates the behavior
accordingly – “if this, then that.”
Once beliefs are encoded, so is the
habitual response (physical and
emotional response).
Hypnosis and Belief Change
Hypnosis – provides access to the
unconscious mind where these
beliefs are stored. The analytic
conscious mind is relaxed so that
its “gate-keeping” functions are no
longer fending off new information
from gaining access to the
amygdala’s encoding function.
De-Coding, Un-coding, then Changing
Beliefs
By providing new information to the encoded
belief – enables change is to the belief system
and change the response. Imagined/ or real new
information such as:
– using teaching metaphors that match,
– future progression (imagining when a negative
behavior is no longer a problem), and/or
– giving direct suggestions which address the belief (s),
emotion, and behavior (s).
– utilizing Solomon Asch Conformity Research and
establish a duality connection between the traumatic
part and the present healthy parts of the patient/client
in a “Rescue Mission” ( Turner, M. 2004)
Applying Hypnosis to Belief
Change
Pre-requisites: Establish RAPPORT,
Trust, and empathy
As clinicians using Clinical Hypnosis, we
are treating people with words. What we
say, what we omit, and how we say it
matters very much. The dictionary and
thesaurus are our pharmacopoeias.
(Ewin,D., 2008)
All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis
In non-emergency situations,
Teach Self-Hypnosis and establish and
anchor* a “Safe Room” in their mind –
before beginning belief change work.
* An Anchoring Script is included in Handout
for this presentation – M. Turner.
Anchoring – as a Powerful
Hypnotic Technique
Anchoring is the Process of Labeling a Positive
Mind/Body State of Mind that can be utilized as
an antidote or counter-balance to Negative
Mind/Body States.
It is a NLP (NeuroLinguisticProgramming)
technique that is even more effective when
induced in a hypnotic state. Anchors are a great
resource (s) to helping one – “right one’s own
ship!”
(Turner, M., 2004)
Anchoring – a “bookmark” for the
Unconscious Mind – A Safe Harbor
Establish safe and self-soothing anchors
of comforting and empowering mind
states. Follow the patient/client lead
whenever possible provided there are no
contra-indications. Let them know that the
states they anchor need to be positive and
not associated with negative
consequences – such as a beach in
Hawaii that was also the site for a major
argument later on in the day/vacation.
Anchoring Resources –
“to have and to hold.”
Establishing anchors for positive empowering
mind states allows for re-harvesting these
empowering experiences and using them as a
value-added resource , such as – re-capturing
proud moments of the past, feelings of “I’ve got
what it takes!”.
Positive empowering beliefs can be further
enhanced: “If there is a will, there is a way!”
The trance states respond to happy feelings
being anchored – such as at a good birthday
party memory or a reunion of friends – to be
anchored to enhance self-esteem and reduce
social anxiety.
Anchoring for Emerging
In trance, suggest prior to emerging
patient/client that they decide “how they
would like to feel when they emerge and
ask them to tell you what that state of mind
is so you can help them anchor it (and
evaluate whether it is in their best interest
to do so).
In Trauma - is In Trance
An emergency can be highly anxietyproducing.
Be calm and directive i.e., “The worst
is over! You are safe now.”
Prompt their imagination as needed.
to relax and distract. (Anchor safety)
Teach them self-hypnosis.
Keep them current with what is
happening as necessary, i.e., the
ambulance is on its way.
Hypnosis and Emergency Anxiety
Hypnosis not only can reduce anxiety in an
emergency situation, but it can effect positively
all systems. Bleeding, swelling, pain, heart
beats, breathing, and blood pressure can be
directed to respond in efforts to life - and limbsave. Hypnosis healing enhancement qualities
have been proven to save days in post-op
hospital stays due to accelerated healing.
And, Remember the victim is in a trance state
and also highly susceptible to negative
suggestions. And that, hearing is the last sense
to be retained in life. Words can be life-saversl
References
Lipton, Bruce (2008). The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of
Consciousness, Matter, and Miracles. New York, Hay House.
Turner, M. (2004). “Using Ego Therapy and Solomon Asch’s Social
Decision-Making Theory to Treat Cognitive Errors (Opinions, Beliefs, and
Judgments) in Trauma Patients” Presented at Crasilneck Session
Presentations, Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 58th Annual
Workshops and Scientific Program.
Turner, M. (2009). The Unconscious Mind and the Conscious Mind: How
They Co-habitate, Co-operate, and Differentiate –Whose is Whose and
What is What! (a working draft). Vermont: Motivation Hypnosis Publication.
Turner, M. (2010). Applications of Hypnosis – Anxiety. Vermont, Motivation
Hypnosis Publication.
Turner,M. (1995-2010). Private Clinical Hypnosis Practice, Case
Presentations. (Unpublished).
Anchoring or Labeling Positive
Mind/body States Script©
(Turner, M. 2009)
Anchoring or Labeling Positive
Mind/body States Script© (Turner, M.
2009)
Allow yourself to find a place that you
enjoy going to and that you would like to
visit again and have as a resource to calm
yourself down. Vividly go there – see what
you would see if you were there now,
notice the colors of what you see close up
and far away.
Anchoring Script
Page 2
Hear what you would hear if you were
there. Notice the subtle sounds too. Feel
your body and mind – notice how you feel
when you are there, notice the air and
whether there is any wind. Smell any
smells that make you know you are there.
Any tastes that you connect with this
comforting place.
Anchoring Script
Page 3.
And when you feel just as you wish – allow
yourself to anchor – like a book-mark for your
unconscious mind –
You can just talk to your unconscious when you
are ready and give this feeling a name that is
easy for you to remember – it can be the actual
name of this place that you are in or something
else that you want to name it. Be sure to label it
something easy to remember and store it in a
place in your mind/body that is easy to find.
Anchoring Script Page 4.
When you have your name label for it –
ask your unconscious mind, if you wish, to
come to this place in your mind whenever
it is safe to do so and you say the name to
yourself and give yourself a “thumbsup!”
That can be your signal to yourself to
come here – safely, easily – for a moment
or longer depending on the safety of doing
so. Anchor it or label it if you wish with the
instructions I just gave you.
Anchoring Script
Page 5.
And then, raise your finger to let me know
you are ready to move on.
Turner,2009)