Can hypnotherapy help with ADHD? This is a question that is often asked by parents of children who have recently been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. It is also pondered by adults living with ADD/ADHD. Why? Maybe they do not like the side effects of medications used for treating the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Maybe they are in search of holistic and natural treatment options for ADD/ADHD and want to know if hypnotherapy is an option.
In this article, we are going to be exploring the answer to whether or not hypnotherapy is helpful for ADD/ADHD and if so, how it works for ADD/ADHD.
How Hypnotherapy Works for ADD/ADHD
According to this one study, hypnotherapy works for ADD/ADHD in four different ways:
Sense of control: Hypnotherapy aids those living with ADD/ADHD to experience a greater sense of control over their actions, thoughts, and choices.
Increase self-esteem: As hypnotherapy provides a greater sense of control, self-esteem is also increased. The two work together: the more control I sense to have over my ADD/ADHD symptoms, the more I can feel good about who I am. This provides a boost in self-esteem and self-worth.
Greater feelings of competence: Competence and a greater feeling of competence may lead to a person with ADD/ADHD having a desire to try new things, or children in schools put in more effort in their academics or adults increasing their efforts at work. Why? The more competent a person feels not only in managing the symptoms of a health condition like ADD/ADHD, the more they may also feel competent about other aspects of life.
Reduced stress: Being a child with ADD/ADHD can be stressful. Teachers often have color systems with green, yellow, and red ranges for behavior. And symptoms of ADD/ADHD do not usually aide such children with staying in the green area for what is seen as good classroom behavior. Likewise, adults with ADD/ADHD in the workforce may experience added stress from managing their ADD/ADHD symptoms and meeting the needs of their profession. Hypnotherapy may reduce the level of stress experienced because of such reasons.
3 Reasons why Hypnotherapy can be Particularly Helpful for Children with ADD/ADHD
There are three distinct reasons why hypnotherapy is particularly helpful for children according to the study:
Suggestion: Children may have a higher level of hypnotizability rate and have an easier time accepting a suggestion when in a hypnotherapy session.
Imagination: Children have an innate sense of imagination. Their imagination acts as a gateway and bridge between the two aspects of a child’s personal world of imagination and the change that can be experienced through hypnotherapy.
Developmental age: Understanding a child’s developmental age and having a hypnotherapist who has experience with children may also be helpful. In addition, some hypnotherapists offer discounts to children. For a complete overview of what hypnotherapy costs read: Hypnotherapy Costs.
