Hypnosis Case Studies

Eft Tapping Therapy For Headaches

Last updated July 15, 2019 by Mark Barrus — No Comments ↓

What is that excessive pounding in your head that feels like a jackhammer at a construction site? While people in all walks of life complain about headaches from time to time, there are many issues associated with this complaint.

Some extreme issues they include a medical disorder, however emotional stress or anxiety may be the cause for ordinary headaches. This article looks at clinical studies where emotional freedom techniques used to treat headaches and migraines.

A common misconception about headaches is that they happen in the brain. This is not the case. Headaches blood vessels nerves and muscles that surround a person’s neck and head.

When these blood vessels swell or tighten, the surrounding nerves feel the excessive pressure and bring brings on the headache. A person may feel stressed out when this occurs, but they should know that this is more commonly known as a tension headache.

Eft Tapping Points For Migraines

Having ongoing tension-type headaches as a result of a stressed-out person negatively affects a person’s quality of life. A randomized control trial was recently conducted where researchers evaluated the perceived positive effects that emotional freedom technique strategies could be used for persons with migraines or headaches.

Thirty-five patients were randomized at the Headache Clinic in Athens, Greece. Nineteen of the participants received emotional freedom techniques while the remaining sixteen were in the control group.

After the initial session, where they learned the specifics and the actual strategies of EFT tapping, the participants were then asked to apply those techniques at least twice a day. If they felt additional stress during the day, they could increase the EFT activity. Altogether, they were to implement these techniques for a consecutive period of sixty days.

Assessments for Tension Type Headaches

Assessments after the two-month period would include testing for the Perceived Stress Scale. Also included was a questionnaire along with the Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Finally, they would also be tested for their salivary cortisol levels and if the level of intense headaches or migraines had decreased or increased.

Those that had received the emotional Freedom techniques to treat tension-type headaches reported that the frequency along with the number of episodic headaches had decreased overall. It is important to mention that the cortisol levels in both groups did not change at all.

Researchers concluded that using the emotional freedom technique to treat tension-type headaches was beneficial to the patients that had received this modality. The fact that the trial was also randomized also had proven promising to reduce the number of headaches or migraines along with the severity which would improve a person’s quality of life.

EFT Tapping After a Brain Injury Caused by Automobile Accident

Sally was seeking emotional freedom techniques to treat her traumatic brain injury from an auto accident that happened six years prior. The result of her accident was memory loss along with the inability to stand for long periods of time. Because of the poor balance, she had become accustomed to using a walking stick.

After her automobile accident, she could not remember what daily activities occurred two months prior to the car crash. Sally also could not remember anything that had transpired 30 days after the accident. She just knew that her body was severely damaged with tons of bones that were broken; she had a punctured bladder along with collapsed lungs.

Sally also had to deal with the trauma after learning that her father had also died during the accident. Because of the trauma to the brain, the pain of her father’s passing felt like it was always new since she could not remember the last time someone told her it happened. The initial emotional freedom technique strategies focused on developing affirmations where she could emphasize a greater level of stability and balance.

EFT Tapping for Present Time Issues

The greater stability would also warrant no longer having the need to use a walking stick. The EFT tapping sessions had to deal with the immediate issue at hand since she could not relate the imbalance to the actual accident. It was not relatable because Sally could not remember that the accident actually happened at all.

While in the EFT session, her ability to stand on one leg had improved tremendously. However, after going out into the hallway and experiencing a carpeted rug with many patterns, she fell into an immediate panic and felt vertigo. She was then led to a separate tapping around where she focused primarily on the feelings of the patterned carpet along with vertigo.

The patterned carpet reminded her of her inability to shop for long periods of time if there were significant crowds. After she was able to get to the root of her fear, she was able to walk back out on the patterned carpet successfully. Sally was also able to walk down the same hall without using her walking stick.

Vertigo symptoms were no longer felt as well. At the twelve-month follow-up, Sally mentioned that the emotional freedom techniques were still helpful and that she no longer needed to rely on her walking stick. Her children were able to shop with her for long periods of time without Sally feeling overwhelmed.

Her quality of life had improved and headaches had also subsided when she combined tapping with positive affirmations. Researchers concluded that emotional freedom techniques have proven beneficial in helping Sally overcome her ongoing headaches associated with traumatic brain injury.

The associated blood tests and measurements of brain waves had also shown levels of relaxation being improved during her tapping sessions.

Many of us may experience headache pain from time to time. These can often be nothing more than a nuisance that is relieved by rest or getting a reliever over the counter. There is emotion associated with the headaches from stress; an emotional freedom technique practitioner may require top priority.

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EFT Tapping for Public Speaking and Social Anxiety

Last updated July 9, 2019 by Mark Barrus — No Comments ↓

June and early July is a wonderful time of year when you get to experience poignant speeches made by college and high school students. How can these valedictorians learn to speak so eloquently? Did they hone their skill level since Show and Tell Time in elementary school?

What about those of us that would rather do anything else in the world except public speaking? What started as a school-aged issue may still be a source of fear as an adult. This article will look at clinical emotional freedom techniques used to address tapping for public speaking and social anxiety.

Can EFT Tapping Help Gifted Students Deal with Social Anxiety and Public Speaking?

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 were enrolled in gifted programs at their ten schools in two states in the Northeast. They were in both public and private gifted programs. Researchers wanted to examine the anxiety levels of the students as it related to both gender and their school settings.

The goal of this study was to determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy or intervening with emotional freedom techniques could prove beneficial for these adolescents that were gifted. In a randomized trial, these students were separated into a group that dealt with cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional freedom technique, and a control group. Each individual would receive three sessions with the prescribed therapy at the local research University.

Why were the gifted students specifically identified for the study? There is the general opinion that gifted students have to deal with regular anxiety just like their counterparts that are not in any special program. However, there is the suggestion that these children also deal with higher levels of intensity in relation to anxiety because of the pressures for being in those programs.

EFT Therapy for Social Anxiety

As a result, interactions with students not in the gifted programs can also prove to be a stressful environment in addition to keeping up with school work. Are these gifted kids better equipped to deal with social anxiety?

Gifted children have been put in a unique situation in their school environments. Are they able to recognize these differences and use them as a strengthening mechanism which would further their resiliency? They have also been found to have higher levels of self-awareness in addition to having an empathetic way of looking at things.

A negative side effect could make one unproductive or they can be overly critical of themselves.

Those in the emotional freedom technique group were taught about acupoints on their bodies. These points could be used in addition to having cognitive reframing. Reframing could desensitize current issues that were happening in their lives.

Tapping on the eight acupoints in combination with the phrases used for reframing would decrease levels of social anxiety and these gifted students.

The results in this study showed that the students that received tapping strategies for public speaking and social anxiety we’re able to lower their levels of anxiety from high to moderate or lower. Students that were in the cognitive behavioral therapy group also experience lower levels than those in the control group.

Additional research what’s suggested since there is limited information that has been done focusing specifically with gifted students. There also was not a significant change based on gender or social setting. Ultimately, using EFT on its own or combining modalities would prove beneficial for helping these children the deal with public speaking issues.

EFT Tapping for Social Stressors in Adolescents

Students are expected to go to school, get good grades, be popular, not cause any trouble and a myriad of other demands. As they get into High School, these behavioral stressors can backfire from time to time. It has been estimated that over thirty percent of students in high school begin to engage end behaviors that are considered high risk which jeopardizes their overall well-being.

How are they able to deal with these ongoing issues and try to keep everyone happy at the same time? Worst case scenario is that they give up totally and want to leave the school environment.

Researchers highlighted emotional freedom technique interventions that could be used to promote their development in a healthy environment. This way, they would have better control of their emotions while not succumbing to social pressures inside and outside the classroom.

In recent years, bullying has been a trending topic where students are negatively affected. As a result, they are not taking the initiative to speak publicly and classroom for fear of retaliation or negative feedback.

Emotion-Focused Therapy For Social Anxiety

Students were able to learn that the negative emotions that are associated with hurt, shame, anger, and anxiety are all related to meridian’s that are located throughout the human body’s energy system. In memory can be experienced even if it was not painful at the moment. While using EFT tapping, the students were able to overcome painful memories in a healthy manner without being disruptive towards others.

Another point to mention is that these students were reminded that they did not have to tap perfectly. In an environment where they felt that everything they did was scrutinized, they are reminded that they did not have to be precise with their tapping.

As long as they were able to take time to use the emotional freedom techniques and tap in a generalized area of the meridian, they would be okay.

After learning how to use the emotional freedom technique to deal with social anxiety and public speaking, these students in the study reported that they felt more positive about their overall well-being. This was a greater result been the students did not receive any tapping sessions and the control group.

The tapping techniques we’re also suggested in dealing with additional psychological issues that a student may have currently or in the future. Tapping in addition to having a dedicated counselor at the school provided the positive environment in which the adolescent can flourish.

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Evidence-Based Clinical EFT for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Last updated June 27, 2019 by Mark Barrus — No Comments ↓

There are many external factors that exist today that can cause a person a lot of stress and anxiety. Some of those factors would include regular stress from work or school. Personal relationships may be strained as well as financial uncertainty. What can be done if someone says take a chill pill, but they do not know a person’s daily trials and tribulations? This article will look at evidence-based clinical EFT for anxiety and panic attacks.

Anxiety – What Causes It?

Bankrate.com recently conducted a survey where they found that 1 in 4 American adults had not rebounded since the recession of 2007. That means that they have not seen any significant Improvement in their financial standings for over a decade.

How can this happen when the Nightly News highlights booming growth and companies trying to keep up with hiring to meet demand? This also includes home values that have not increased along with growing debt. It is more than enough ammunition to raise levels of anxiety and stress.

Can the Emotional Freedom Technique Improve Physiological Symptoms Relate to Anxiety?

There has been numerous evidence-based research highlighting how the emotional freedom technique can help with anxiety. While the studies have proven that the technique if successful, researchers in this study wanted to measure the physiological effects of this treatment that could compound the success rate EFT.

During these workshops, the goal was to provide comprehensive physiological examinations where improvements were made in the areas of rapid heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. If they can be improved, can they be sustained over a long period of time?

Cognitive Behavioral Technique vs. Emotional Freedom Technique

The first study examined patients that received emotional freedom techniques to combat anxiety and stress over a five-year period. This research was also conducted over eleven clinics during the same time frame. The patients in these studies had either received cognitive behavioral therapy with medication and if it was necessary.

The second group had only received tapping techniques on the acupressure points. Those that received tapping instruction did not have any suggestions for additional medication. Researchers found that the improvement rate for those that received tapping instruction was over ninety percent successful while their counterparts only receive over sixty percent positive results.

While both treatments were successful, the tapping had proven to provide greater efficiency especially during the follow-up that was conducted twelve months later.

EFT Tapping to Improve Heart Rate in Anxiety Sufferers

While the previous studies have proven fruitful, researchers were increasingly interested in seeing if the emotional freedom technique could benefit physiological issues like improving heart rate and circulatory system assessment. Not only did the decreases in anxiety occur, but blood pressure and the resting heart rate were also able to boost the circulatory system while a patient had undergone multiple emotional freedom technique sessions.

This was conducted during six sessions along with a follow-up session that was to be conducted the following year. All physiological stats were compiled using the Wilcoxon Rank Test which measured cortisol, heart rate along with overall blood pressure.

EFT Tapping for Driving Anxiety

Can EFT tapping be used for a patient that refuses to get behind the wheel of a car after being in an accident? This 54-year-old woman had previously been in a car accident while her daughter was in the car. Since it was raining, her car hydroplaned and hit a semi-trailer. After her car hit the semi-trailer, it was hit by another car before it finally crashed into a tree.

For over two months, this candidate had trouble falling asleep every night because she would relive this hyper-anxious moment. While sleeping, she would also get pain in her mouth for clenching her jaw so tightly. It was recommended that she get over her fear, she must begin driving immediately, but to no avail. The difficulty breathing and feeling unsettled would not go away.

She was open to using the emotional freedom technique since she had successfully used it before to overcome craving snacks in the past. Per session lasted for 5 concurrent weeks. The last session was conducted 3 weeks after the 5th week and each session lasted between an hour and an hour and a half.

In addition to her emotional freedom technique session, she was also given the suggestion to write a story about her car accident and to record any feelings of helplessness that may have occurred during the initial incident. If she felt any negative feelings, she was instructed to continue EFT tapping while she was at home.

The patient started feeling better after the second hourly session. Her levels of anxiety and stress had continued to improve along with a boost in confidence to get behind the wheel once again. She had a commitment to stay vigilant and facing her fears in any future events that may occur.

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Turning Off PTSD Emotions with Emotional Freedom Techniques

Last updated July 12, 2019 by Mark Barrus — No Comments ↓

Has there ever been an instance where you experience something that you cannot get out of your mind that was terrifying at the time? Many people jokingly talk about post-traumatic stress disorder, but it is, in fact, a mental health condition. A person may experience PTSD or witness an experience that traumatized them as well. This article will look at current research that highlights Emotional Freedom Techniques that can be used to treat this condition.

In many cases, the person that experiences a traumatic event may go through a temporary time frame where they have to cope with the experience. This adjustment can be temporary with self-care. Others may have a difficult time adjusting and this post-traumatic stress disorder can also negatively influence how they function day-to-day. It is also important to note that while some symptoms are immediate, others may not experience what is in their subconscious for a significant time after the actual event occurred.

EFT PTSD Research with the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

The United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recently absorbed evidence-based research confirming that post-traumatic stress disorder can be treated in a clinical setting. The drive for this research was based on the growing number of soldiers that are currently active in the military as well as those veterans that had recently fought overseas. Over four-hundred practitioners proficient in the Emotional Freedom Technique were pegged to share their experiences in a professional setting.

Those settings also included a varying number of demographic profiles as well as assessments that were treated for those patients. The end result was to compile a guideline that could be used in the future at this institute.

The governing body that legitimizes the Emotional Freedom Technique as evidence-based was the criteria set forth by the American Psychological Association. The criteria that were used to officially certify these research standards included randomization, using a targeted demographic that was clearly defined, assessments that were reliable, assigning blind interviews, along with having data that was sufficient enough to assess the statistical model.

Creating Self-Acceptance Statements

During each session, the patients were able to recall an event that had dramatically influence them in the past. In conjunction with this recall was the ability to create a self-acceptance statement so they would no longer continue to be down on themselves. While making these statements, they would also stimulate pressure points on their bodies with their fingertips while they were recalling the event.

The varying demographics that were used in each study included veterans and active military personnel. In addition, adolescence and other survivors of disasters in war zones were also available for treatments. These groups were given assessments that were separate from the control group that would receive traditional treatment relief regarding traumatic events.

Over twelve studies made the final cut where the Emotional Freedom Technique was used in groups and had positive results across the board. In these studies, they were treated for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and then given a 7 day grace period before receiving additional relief.

Ultimately, the recommended number of sessions that were suggested to treat post-traumatic stress disorder range from six to ten. These sessions individually lasted over 60 minutes and they were able to measure a wide range of PTSD that was treated from generic to complex mental conditions.

One particular veteran of note had been dealing with post-traumatic symptoms since he returned from combat in Vietnam. As a result, not only did he have medical problems, he also battled with addiction, homelessness and none of his relationships were healthy. He now continues to use the Emotional Freedom Technique on his own that he learned during his primary sessions to deal with all levels of stress as well as keeping a mindset.

Using Emotional Freedom Techniques at the Veterans Administration

Veterans that were currently under the care of a clinician at the Veterans Administration were a part of a study to determine how successful emotional Freedom techniques could be used to deal with their PTSD as well as other debilitating symptoms. They would receive an initial six sessions that included EFT for a period of thirty days. The same group with then have zero treatment for another thirty days. Lastly, they would receive another six hourly sessions to determine how consistently they could deal with their ongoing medical conditions.

Instead of giving generalizations about what happened to each individual while they were at war, these soldiers were suggested to give incidence where the combat activities were specific to them. Since the emotional Freedom technique is applied to the individual self, the events in their lives can be targeted to address what was going on in their conscious mind. The EFT technique also was meant to be brief so that they would not belabor the said stressful events are going through treatment.

PTSD EFT Therapy

One of the individuals that took part in the initial treatment was a nurse during the Vietnam War. She also mentioned that she had dealt with physical abuse when she was a child and had some version of the stressful situations throughout her whole life.

She also had the greatest challenge for starting EFT because she was very sensitive to touch and would not participate in tapping her Meridian points in the initial session. The practitioners were able to overcome this challenge by allowing her to tap between her own eyebrows only. This suggestion also increased her confidence because the first session focused primarily on safety and overcoming fear.

After successfully completing her first session, this nurse also was able to tap on all of the other Emotional Freedom Technique points on the rest of her body. She was also able to visualize specific events that happened while she was in the war zone that helps her overcome years of sleeplessness. She continues to use EFT currently to deal with all issues related to stress as well.

Tagged with: eft complex ptsd, eft for ptsd, eft for ptsd pdf, eft ptsd, eft ptsd research, eft ptsd veterans, eft ptsd video, eft script for ptsd, faster eft ptsd, ptsd eft therapy

Making the Argument for EFT for Smoking Cessation

Last updated May 30, 2019 by Mark Barrus

Individuals have varying reasons as to why they started smoking in the first place. Perhaps they saw an older brother or sister smoke or maybe a parent. Other started smoking due to societal pressures or making it seem cool to have a cigarette in their mouth. Others can’t wait to take a smoke break while at work to literally blow off some steam. No matter how a person starts, there comes a time where they believe that this behavior is not acceptable and are open to ways to correct it. This article will explore case studies where tapping for smoking cessation was used successfully over a period of time.

In the United States, recent statistics note that one and five deaths are related to smoking cigarettes even though it is considered a preventable disease. We’re all numbers equal over thirty-four million people over the age of eighteen that are dealing with this issue. Moreover, over sixteen million individuals in America have to contend with a smoking-related disease on a day-to-day basis.

Smoking-Related Illnesses and the Mentally Challenged

The aforementioned statistics do not specifically mention the over 400,000 deaths that take place in the United States every year with individuals dealing with mental illnesses. This means that while only twenty percent of the population has a mental disorder, over forty percent of those identified died due to tobacco-related issues.

Certain barriers also exist for those that battle with mental illnesses daily. The clinicians do not typically include cessation techniques while they are seeing these individuals. It’s not related as a priority and may also compete with the existing strategies that are being used to treat mental illness. As a result, stopping smoking is not seen as a priority and these individuals are affected as a consequence of low prioritization.

Using the Emotional Freedom Technique to Quit Smoking

A Vietnam vet sought treatment for a variety of reasons 4 issues that he had been dealing with for over forty years. Since returning from the Vietnam War, this individual had issues with a multitude of addictions, relationships that never seem to work, inability with sustaining personal relationships, homelessness in addition to smoking large quantities of cigarettes.

While seeking treatment for other issues at the Veterans Medical Center, he was open to learning more about emotional freedom technique for smoking cessation in combination with group therapy. during his first session, he was able to use EFT tapping to combat ongoing memories that kept being triggered which brought him back to going back to playing that mental anguish.

This tapping was used in three different scenarios. The first was when his fellow comrades were killed during the battle. The second instance was when he was surrounded by the enemy and was facing capture. The third instance was when he saw a child going through emotional anguish as a result of violence occurring around him.

As a result of continued use of the emotional freedom technique, this Vietnam veteran was able to sustain relief regarding the number of issues he was dealing with. The greatest recovery was over three years of abstaining from substance use. In between appointments with the clinicians, he also used the emotional freedom technique to quit smoking.

He also mentions that combining these techniques also help to combat issues with weight loss and daily stress. Ultimately, he was able to find housing and no longer experience homelessness. Feeling this greater level of confidence also allowed him to start the initiative to renew relationships with friends and family as well.

Tapping to Stop Smoking and Overcome Depression with Young Adults

Over two-hundred freshmen in college were given an assessment to deal with depression. They were split into two groups where the first group would receive up to for group sessions that included the emotional freedom technique for over ninety minutes. The control group did not receive any treatment at all. Wood employing the EFT tapping help these students deal with depression along with behavioral issues with smoking cigarettes?

The NIH found that up to 20% of individuals in their later teenage years dealing with an excess of anxiety before they become adults. As a result, they have low self-esteem and are very critical towards themselves and others. They are greater candidates 2 be at risk for depression related symptoms during stressful engagements and may resort to an increased level of smoking cigarettes in addition to abusing alcoholic beverages and street drugs.

All students in the treatment group work with a facilitator who was thoroughly trained in emotional freedom technique strategies. These strategies also were in alignment with the protocols listed in the emotional freedom technique manual. The results were measured to give it a measure of the severity of their depression and how they were able to cope with these issues prior to and after the emotional freedom technique group sessions.

Over a three-week period, each session lasted ninety minutes and only those students that were able to complete each session or allowed to continue to complete the study. Over eighteen students were taken off the research study as a result of not completing each assessment. The reasoning behind dropping out was due to a conflict to scheduling as well as outside pressures related to class assignments and exams. These individuals were put on a separate list and scheduled for follow-up sessions in the future.

There was a significant drop in depression related issues after the initial study began. As a result, cigarette usage had an equal level of decreased use. At the one-year follow-up point, these levels remained low for the individuals that had treatment. Researchers decided to increase studies due to the successful outcome of this initial study related to depression and using the emotional freedom technique for smoking.

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When Is It Applicable to Use EMDR Therapy Smoking Cessation?

Last updated May 25, 2019 by Mark Barrus

EMDR Therapy Smoking Cessation

When it comes to smoking, many fads come and go with regards to quitting. The latest entrant over the past couple of years would include vaping. New research shows that an individual that Vapes is more than four times likely to develop an intense smoking habit. Why not stop altogether? This article will look at EMDR smoking cessation protocols backed by research to address this issue once and for all.

What Exactly is EMDR and How Can it be Used to Stop Smoking?

EMDR is also known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This modality is a rather new entrant into alternative medicine in a historical sense, but it seeks to address the root causes of psychotherapy related issues. The difference is that the primary focus it’s not to have an over-reliance on medications or talk therapy for that matter. Moreover, a patient uses their own rhythmic quick movements which can lesson emotional triggers related to events that have occurred in the past. Don’t remember when you started smoking? This 90-minute session will uncover these experiences.

During the initial session, the EMDR smoking cessation protocol encompasses eight different phases along with three prongs. The first two phases include the individuals’ historical notes along with other assessments and planning for treatment. It is not usually until Phase six when a person works through their reprocessing.

Phases seven and eight are used to re-evaluate and bring closer to the entire session. The consensus is that once an individual is brought through their current day symptoms regarding there behavioral patterns, they are then able to be desensitized and reprocess to overcome ongoing issues that have been plaguing them over time.

emdr smoking cessation protocol

Using EMDR to Address Multiple Categories of Addiction at the Same Time

Eighteen individuals took part in the study where are they attempted to overcome addiction and multiple categories. These categories were not in the typical addiction categories which would include alcohol, technology or gambling. These individuals dealt with unique Behavior patterns such as cigarette smoking, lip biting, hateful self-talk and picking at their cuticles.

Over half of these individuals have tried to quit their behavior patterns more than four times in the past. Trying to end these behaviors on their own had not been successful for at least five years or more. Lastly, all of the individuals had been open to trying different therapies which included EMDR within the previous twelve months.

It is interesting to note that other addictive behavior may have been triggered after being introduced to EMDR cessation protocols. It appears that there was a tendency to identify other addictions to take place of the initial habits that were being changed through the sessions. It was not until they were able to identify addictive behavior as a whole before they were of greater acceptance to using EMDR sessions to address all issues.

Feedback Highlighted to Research Moderators

This was great feedback to the researchers that moderated the sessions. They were able to uncover that a person may discover another addiction which can be identified and overall addictive behavior.

After the sessions were completed, over 70% of the respondents reported that there were a significant decrease and their level of addiction and cravings. This was after receiving the suggested EMDR therapy over a period of time. They were also able to address any level of other addictions that were not discovered prior to getting the EMDR therapy. Once they were able to address all of the addictive behavior that they were experiencing, they reported that the EMDR therapy sessions help them to significantly reduce all of the above and maintain the high level of discipline.

Combining Feeling State Protocol and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatments

Researchers had previously identified how EMDR has been successful in helping individuals overcome their compulsions and craving with regards to smoking. Not to rest on their laurels, they also wanted to see if they could increase the positive effects by merging the feeling State theory of compulsions along with the EMDR.

This combination is also known as the New Movement Compulsion Protocol. The Feeling State Addiction (FSAP) would focus on the pleasures that a person experiences when they are in the act of smoking and how this pleasure is imprinted. By combining the rapid eye movement to desensitize and reprocess those feelings was the ultimate aim by incorporating both methods.

EMDR vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

There were two groups of twelve that participated in this study. In order to be included, each individual had reported that they had actually relapsed from smoking at least thirty days after they tried to stop on their own. They were then groups according to their sex and age. Lastly, they were given the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence.

Even though the feeling state addiction protocols were relatively short, individuals expressed major changes in their behavior afterward. As a result, these initial groups of twelve were given six additional sessions with this protocol in combination with EMDR. The second group had six separate sessions including cognitive behavioral therapy.

Did they both experience the same outcome after turning in their questionnaires? That was not the case as the initial group that had the FSAP in combination with EMDR had a two to one success rate reported over the second group receiving cognitive behavioral therapy.

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Tapping Technique for Losing Weight

Last updated May 14, 2019 by Mark Barrus

Dealing with one’s weight continues to be a huge issue here in the United States. Once a person has been programmed to believe that they can simply take a pill and have their weight magically disappear, many have been unwilling to follow through with suggested diet and exercise. In recent years, clinical hypnotherapists have been incorporating a combination of hypnosis along with emotional freedom techniques to help a person deal with weight loss concerns. This article will look at recent case studies where this combination of a tapping technique for losing weight that has proven quite effective in keeping the weight off.

What Is Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping?

EFT is now known as a variation of interventions with clients that incorporate a number of alternative therapies. Is there a peace would include acupuncture, Thought Field Therapy along with Energy Medicine. Hypnotherapists combine EFT with their sessions on occasion due to the neural linguistic programming aspect of emotional freedom technique. This combination has been advocated due to treating both the physical issues of weight loss along with the lingering psychological issues that may be the root cause of the matter.

Can Emotional Freedom Technique Be Used Online To Lose Weight?

Over 70 individuals signed up for a 6-week course to address weight issues along with the power of eating food outside of the home. Additional issues addressing post-traumatic stress disorder and happiness were also examined both before the course began and after the 12-month follow-up.

During the six weeks, these individuals or able to partake and tell classes which included live interaction between the participants and the instructor. In addition, they were given materials to be reviewed online during this period as well.

A social-media group was also formed so that each individual could share their experiences if they so chose. While many courses are usually completed within this time, this online course also included support telecasts that were conducted on a monthly basis.

Tapping Affirmations for Weight Loss

While many weight loss courses harp on diet and exercise, this intervention did not recommend any specific diet for the participants. Instead, the central focus for this course was to have each individual focus on their emotions and how they can control them while eating through affirmations. They were also given instruction to use emotional freedom technique as a way to identify triggers that may have set them off on the wrong path in the past.

During this class, the facilitator would work with one individual while the other participants or able to tap on their own while following instruction. There was marked improvement with regards to each participant’s body weight that was measured after the six-week course and at the 1-year follow-up point. In addition to a drop in body weight, former issues with depression had also lesson during this time.

The participants reported that they were able to identify any emotional trigger associated with overeating while they were in an external environment. Employing the emotional freedom technique overtime proved that the consistency was able to increase each individual’s love happiness.

Case Study Using EFT with Couples

Nancy had grown up in a family of perfectionists. Her parents had imposed on her that she must be beyond the best in every situation. This covered everything from how she looked, how she behaved in school as well as exhibiting positive behaviors in all of her social situations growing up.

Nancy also felt that she did not have her own voice as her parents easily dismissed every opinion that she shared with them. She also felt that she was on the bottom rung of the family since she is the youngest and felt that she was in constant competition with her older brothers.

Her relationship with her father was also strained because her father exhibited greater confidence and her brothers instead of her. Ultimately, she felt that she could not live up to unattainable standards set by her parents.

As a result, Nancy also had feelings of low self-esteem as an adult and in her current relationship. Even though she sought out higher status individuals in her life, she felt that she could never compete on their level.

These feelings also contributed to excessive weight gain she would binge to cover her emotional anxiety. For over 10 years, and see also smoke marijuana as a way to lower her levels of anxiety. She would also have huge junk food episodes after partaking and the smoking pastime.

A strained relationship with her husband Tom was almost at the brink of divorce when they decided to attend an EFT Workshop. They really enjoyed the workshop and pursued couples therapy using emotional freedom technique afterward.

Overcoming Recurring Negative Interactive Cycles

During couples’ therapy, she and her husband were able to identify that they had a recurring negative interactional cycle that they kept repeating. They both were unaware of the root cause of their arguments but were seeing able to see that they were playing a program in their subconscious mind. What once was resentment was replaced with empathy on each of their behalf.

She also was able to follow instruction to establish stronger self-confidence in herself and the ability to feel that she had equal standing with her husband. This technique also gave them the ability to there high levels of conflict to weight management and resolution. They were also able to frame their problems accordingly without pointing a finger at themselves or each other.

After their tenth session, Nancy reported that she no longer felt that she was in any competition with anyone especially her husband. She also mentioned that she was taking steps to address her weight gain accordingly. The couple no longer wanted to explore their options of divorce. They also felt that using the emotional freedom technique help them frame their situations in a better light.

Tagged with: Tapping Technique for Losing Weight

Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss Success Stories

Last updated May 2, 2019 by Mark Barrus

How Can Hypnosis Help With Weight Loss?

Remember the good old days when you used to go outside just to get some fresh air? Time would be spent meeting up with friends and also just enjoying the Sun and shapes of clouds in the sky.

Today, more and more people are staying inside and increased health factors such as weight loss and obesity are on the rise as a result. In addition to daily exercise, we will uncover several case studies where hypnotherapy for weight loss has been used to keep those unwanted pounds off without coming back.

Not only are individuals creating unfavorable results like gaining weight while staying indoors, but they are also increasing chances of raising their mortality rates. Recent research shows that individuals tend to live longer and healthier lives when they are spending time with others versus their counterparts who tend to isolate themselves.

Additional debilitating health conditions also include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and increased mental disorders. Improving existing relationships with family and friends has also been associated with increasing a person’s self-esteem as well as their overall view of life.

How Is Hypnosis Used For Weight Loss?

What if a person does not engage in a social activity because they may have anxiety centered on their physicality? They may have previously tried to change their diet by eating those low-calorie foods that are often seen in commercials.

Avoiding the aisle in the grocery store that is packed with sugary treats as well as other junk food may have also been implemented unsuccessfully.

Another approach to address this issue should include adopting an approach that includes mindfulness. There is an association with eating that can be triggered by perceived insurmountable emotional situations.

Is Hunger Associated with Emotional Triggers?

If a person is feeling irritated during the day or something has happened recently where they may experience sadness, eating has been used as a calming mechanism without any thought as to what is being put into the body.

By using hypnosis techniques which includes practices of mindfulness, an individual is able to identify whether or not they are repeating similar patterns over and over no matter what they eat.

Since many of us are wired to seek pleasure as opposed to avoiding any level of pain, the conditioning behavior is set in stone it appears before we really realize what is going on. To add insult to injury, we end up eating even more than our original intention and feel regrettably worse afterward.

Individuals in a recent study were able to approach hypnosis in a clinical setting where they used mindfulness as a means to increase the weariness with regards to their varying hunger levels. While imagining themselves as hungry, they were also able to identify whether they could picture an emotional attachment to a situation.

What was the environment like while this situation was happening? By using these tactics and strategies, the individuals no longer feel that they must avoid any feelings that they are currently having. As a result, they also relinquish the debilitating power of tormenting themselves like previous behaviors.

Using Clinical Hypnosis to Treat Diabetes Patients

Is there a connection with successfully using hypnosis to treat diabetes patients? There have been additional stresses dealing with diabetes and a number of psychological issues can complicate those issues.

Research in recent years has thought to include a lifestyle therapy which includes clinical hypnotherapy to treat diabetes. These techniques can not only increase a person’s life quality but can also prevent additional complications associated with this disease.

Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most unsettling complications that a patient may face. Individuals that were able to use hypnosis reported increased blood circulation in the lower extremities and foot problems were also kept to a minimum.

Ongoing research is happening where combining biofeedback with hypnosis may be the timely combination to address foot care that a diabetic may also face.

Hypnotic Suggestions for Weight Loss

Being diagnosed with this disease does not have to be all bad news. Hypnosis suggestions given to patients can also increase an individual’s viewpoints about life.

If their outlook is positive, then they can also make incremental associations with changing long-standing behavior. This, in turn, can also give them increasing willpower to comply with getting more exercise during the day.

Changing their diet in addition to exercise may improve their lifestyle can also reduce levels of stress and make their management of diabetes less intrusive.

While stress levels begin to drop, individuals feel better about themselves and also will not have to worry about wounds taking too long to heal.

Can Patients Maintain Protocol Once Leaving the Clinical Environment?

While the case studies were quite successful in the clinical environment, the same individuals were also given self-hypnosis techniques to use while at home. This was encouragement needed to keep the positive momentum moving forward.

This further enhances a level of self-control and provides a positive outcome to their treatment.

With the success of this study, additional research has been requested to further identify how clinical hypnosis can be used as a powerful method of positive change to assist people dealing with the psychological issues associated with diabetes.

Tagged with: Hypnotherapy For Weight Loss Success Stories

Using Hypnotherapy to Discourage Binge Behavior

Last updated February 12, 2019 by Mark Barrus

There is a popular video streaming service that is currently running a nationwide commercial highlighting binging on your favorite TV shows. While it does make light of experiencing your favorite shows for an extended period of time, others have problems with binging and other areas. This article will highlight case studies where hypnotherapy was used to discourage binge behavior.

Curbing Binge Behavior Through a Near-Death Experience

A common theme, among women, that experience binge behavior with regards to eating, is the fact that they are constantly processing post-traumatic stress or abuse that happened when they were children. As a result, many experience a loss of identity. This abrupt change can have an individual spending their whole life trying to achieve an ideal self.
In extreme examples, some women hit a rock-bottom moment in their lives where the contemplation of suicide is considered. For those that actually attempt to carry out this behavior, they may go through what is known as a near-death experience.

Binge Eating: Alluring, Intoxicating, and Risky…

Karen was a client who visited a clinical hypnotherapist to talk about how she was able to overcome binging that had negatively affected her since she was a child. This was seven years after she had tried to take her own life. Her attacker was friends with her parents. She had gone from outgoing seven-year-old to an introvert overnight.

By seventh grade, she started dieting and would also throw up her food because she always felt overweight. Started eating more than three times for weight only two force herself to get rid of the food shortly after. Karen also felt that she was smarter than her psychologist suggested that she was only going through a teenage phase.

In college, her situation worse than since she was on her own and didn’t have anyone following up with her on a daily basis. She became severely depressed after her boyfriend broke up with her. Soon after, she stopped working out, wearing makeup and couldn’t care less about how she looked.

Addressing the Root of Binge Eating Through Regression

During the regression with the clinical therapist, she relived the moment that she was in the ambulance after hours of
taking prescription medicine along with alcohol. She heard a voice that reminded her that she was choosing to create
the misery and her life. Before the near-death experience, Karen felt that she was helpless and could not be in power
to do anything since that tragic evening as a seven-year-old child.

She also came to the realization that the ultimate loss of control and suicide attempt was the first step for her to seek
recovery. She no longer had a desire to lose control again in the future nor attempt to take her own life.

College Students and Binge Drinking

Long gone are the days of popular college-age movies highlighting binge drinking like the movie Animal House. In those days, the subject matter of binge drinking was seen as a Rite of Passage. Due to the excessive damage done as a result of binge drinking has changed the perception in recent years.

Researchers in this study sought to determine the different perceptions college students have with regards to prevention messages, as well as the risks and benefits perceived when drinking an excessive amount of alcohol. Is risk perception and benefit perception two sides of the same coin? Can multimedia messages highlighting alcohol prevention suffice?

Over two hundred college students participated and this recent study. IWere able to perceive the probability of having negative consequences associated with binge drinking, would that alter their behavior in the future? What about the perception of severe negative consequences when someone is led to excessive drinking? The last hypothesis was to determine if students would still identify the positive consequences associated with binge drinking.

Using the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, students were questioned about the number of drinks they have had over the previous two weeks. They were also questioned about the number of drinks they had during one occasion. The women perceived binge drinking as having four or more drinks on one occasion while their male counterparts counted five for the same occasion.

The students were then asked if they were able to achieve a positive perception with relation to binge drinking. This would be continued fun, being the life of the party as well as being able to relax from their stressful school curricula.

Understanding Binge Drinking Perceptions & Behavior

Researchers were able to determine the correlation between the positive association with excessive drinking and the 
continued activity of imbibing. When the students were in a smaller group of friends, the correlation between the 
negative consequences associated with drinking what's higher. When the students were in larger group settings, the 
perception was the opposite if everyone was drinking heavily. 
There was the implication that the perception of the group superseded the perception of the individual. Receiving 
multimedia messages about negative perceptions related to excessive alcohol consumption had minimal effect.
More research was recommended due to the limitations of seeking perceptions of students in group settings. 
Researchers felt subjectivity influenced the student's decision so that they would not feel ostracized from the greater 
group. Additional methods to evaluate perception was also encouraged.

Tagged with: Hypnotherapy Binge Behavior

Addressing Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment With Hypnosis

Last updated December 13, 2018 by Mark Barrus

Stop Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Start Living

The new season of Saturday Night Live is quite a bit different than seasons past. Those that have watched this long-running comedy show for a significant period of time will remember Doug and Wendy Whiner. More recently, another crowd favorite is Debbie Downer. While the skits are rather comical, they do shed light on people that may have an association with generalized anxiety disorder. This article will explore case studies where experts use clinical hypnosis to address and overcome this overwhelming disorder.

There are sometimes in life where a person may excessively worry about things going on in his or her life. The difference between regular worry and generalized anxiety disorder is when a person worries and frets for over a period of six months. They are often difficult to diagnose because they have a constant worry over a number of things.

This can be about impending doom for natural disasters. This person may also worried about money issues if they have enough or not. They may also worried about their overall health. In some cases, constant worry may involve other people outside of themselves. They can be diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder if they exhibit at least three symptoms for over a period of the aforementioned six months.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder in a Group Setting

The small group of four participants was having an ongoing struggle in dealing with anxieties covering a multitude of topics like a fear of driving to a fear of snakes. Since the group was small enough, they were open to addressing their issues in a group setting. While in a group setting, they were also open to undergoing group hypnotherapy sessions.

The first hypnotherapy session included instructions to imagine being in a magic bubble whenever they felt that a particular or combination of anxiety were rising to the surface. While they were in the bubble, no harm would come to them and thus they are able to feel a level of relaxation.

The second hypnotherapy session included a technique involving age regression. While they worked with a clinical hypnotherapist, they were instructed to imagine back to the time when the anxieties first surfaced. In many cases, these anxieties began at an early age only to resurface throughout their adult lives.

The hypnosis expert pointed out to the group that while they were receiving the inductions, they were dealing with their worries and anxieties in real time. The present moment was a reminder that they would no longer feel like they didn’t have control over how they respond to their immediate environments. They were also able to better understand the relationship between how the unconscious and conscious mind interact.

After both sessions, all four of the participants that were in the study reported that their level of anxiety had decreased immensely. This level had remained lower than their Baseline score as well following the 14 days follow up sessions.

Researchers concluded that group hypnotherapy can prove very beneficial to small groups. There may also be future opportunities to combine additional induction techniques to address a multitude of phobias. Future research was recommended for dealing with groups of a larger size as well as incorporating a combination of hypnosis offerings.

Treating a Patient with Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorder

The gentleman in this case study was a 55-year-old man who had ongoing issues with both generalized anxiety and panic disorder. Before coming to a clinical hypnotherapist, this gentleman was suffering from a multitude of weight loss issues, not being able to sleep, headaches and a list of other medical issues. In addition, this gentlemen also suffered from being in closed spaces as well as degrees of agoraphobia.

The ranges of anxiety and depression were through the roof. He was open to receiving hypnosis as he had experience going to a hypnotherapist early in his life. At the time of the study, he was taking a number of antidepressants as well as medications to help him sleep at night.

A combination of hypnosis in addition to psychotherapy and goal setting was used to address this man’s issues.

Reasons People Get Stuck When Trying To Overcome Generalized Anxiety Disorder

During the first 7 months, this gentleman showed little to no progress to the multitude of approaches that were used to address his anxieties. He admitted that he did not use any of the self-hypnosis techniques when he was home. It was after he came clean about his self-involvement that he began to make positive strides.

He was able to have a sense of humor and laugh at himself at times. Levels of irritability towards himself and others also diminished. During his last assessment, his scores for anxiety and depression were lower than when he initially sought treatment. He felt optimistic and that his life was going in a positive direction.

Criticisms of the Case Study

Criticism towards this case study was that it was not conducted in a clinical setting. Since it was not in a clinical setting, it was difficult to significantly monitor the gentlemen’s improvement from an objective viewpoint. Medications that were taken during the study were also not factored into the study, so it was difficult to determine how effective the medication was in conjunction with the hypnosis sessions.

Further metrics would be needed in future study and a clinical setting where better-randomized control trials would be conducted.

Tagged with: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment Hypnosis