Bright Hub - 18 February 2011
Body dysmorphic disorder causes those it affects to obsess about their 'imperfections' to the point where it interferes with their daily lives. One treatment option that many claim has helped them is hypnosis.
Everyone has those days where they don’t like what they see in the mirror. There are even days when some feel the looks of their youth have left them. While these may affect mood or attitude for a minute, an hour, or a day, most people are usually distracted by daily life, job, family, or friends, and soon, these thoughts are long forgotten. However, there are some whose days are filled with thoughts – categorized more as obsessions – about the flaws of their face and body.
Sometimes called "imagined ugliness,” body dysmorphic disorder (also known as BDD), can significantly affect a person’s life and relationships. BDD is psychiatric condition in which people suffer from a distorted view of minor physical defects – real or imagined. Those affected can’t stop thinking about their “flaws,” and they may even seek numerous medical procedures to correct them. In an attempt to hide their appearance, or due to the amount of shame they feel regarding their looks, those who suffer from BDD don’t want to be seen by anyone, and may isolate themselves from family, friends, and in severe cases, society. BDD sufferers have trouble functioning and excelling in work or social situations. The feelings and belief that they are defective can cause both emotional and psychological distress.
Hypnosis can be used to create desired changes in mental and physical well-being. However, hypnosis is not a sleep state. While in hypnosis, an individual is simply more focused and their concentration is more centered. Body Dysmorphic Hypnosis Body dysmorphic hypnosis is most commonly used in combination with behavioral or cognitive therapy. When the treatments are combined, they may have a prompt and positive effect.
Body dysmorphic hypnosis is used as an aid to retrain the subconscious mind from the patterns of obsessive thinking. The individual is taught to think differently or to rid themselves of the obsessive thoughts and feelings that contribute to their BDD. In addition, body dysmorphic hypnosis induces a state of relaxation which helps to decrease anxiety and panic levels. Therapists can use this relaxation or hypnotic state to help the patient focus on altering their negative thoughts and feelings about their appearance.
Typical Body Dysmorphic Hypnosis Session - A typical body dysmorphic disorder hypnosis session is conducted in a therapist’s or hypnotist’s office. The patient is made to feel comfortable and either sits in a chair or rests on a couch. Once comfortable, the patient may be asked to close their eyes. While closing the eyes is not necessary for the hypnotic state, it does help with relaxation.
The therapist guides the patient into a hypnotic state, sometimes using soft music in the background, but most often through the use of tone of voice, and guided word-imagery. This leads to a deeper state of comfort, and the person finds themselves in a profound level of comfort and ease. At this point, the therapist begins to instruct the patient through a series of guided visualizations. These may include relaxing body parts, visualizing flaws as they truly are, or imagining their distortedly viewed body parts as becoming normal. At the end of the session the therapist guides the patient out of the hypnotic state using pace, tone of voice, and word-imagery.
Hypnotherapy Body Dysmorphia is a very effective treatment in healing the mind to change the way it thinks about the body. Body Dysmorphia Hypnosis is a very pleasant, relaxing treatment that can achieve great results. Hypnotherapists at The Harley Street Hypnotherapy Clinic are well versed in body dysmorphia as well as other issues surrounding the way we feel and perceive our bodies. London Hypnotherapy clinic has a number of expertly trained hypnotherapists that can help you change the way you look at your body. Free yourself from a lifetime of misery by calling one of our specialist hypnotherapists in London.
