Diabetes Hypnosis
The purpose of this article is to present compelling evidence for why hypnosis is an up and coming new health tool for those with diabetes (primarily type 2 but not exclusively).
"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas A. Edison
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Before making any changes to your current health care program, consult with your doctor.
In order for a new idea, concept or method to gain popularity, the established idea, concept or method must lose its popularity. In this case, oral medications for type 2 diabetics are the established method losing their popularity. An increasing number of type 2 diabetics are unwilling to take oral medications because of the increasing number of serious side effects and the availability of alternatives. In an October 2002 Diabetes Health article titled: Use of Alternative Medicine High in People With Type 2 Diabetes it states that "Forty percent of those using complementary and alternative medicine indicate that they do so to prevent complications."
Type 2 diabetics are becoming increasingly concerned about complications because of stories like the following: In February of 2007, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) posted an announcement (1) on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) website about a letter they wrote to doctors explaining how certain, commonly used diabetes drugs can significantly increase the risk of bone fractures in women. And the above incident is only one of a number of significant cases. In November of 2007, European and U.S. diabetologists called for greater caution in prescribing oral diabetes pills like Avandia which has been linked to a disturbing increase in heart attack risk.(2)
This warning by the world’s two leading diabetes organizations came two weeks after the USFDA recommended black box warnings for Avandia. The USFDA requires a drug to carry a black box warning if the drug has an above average occurrence of serious or even life-threatening side-effects. This chain of recent events concerning widely used diabetes drugs is very alarming to many diabetics because they are eerily reminiscent of what happened to a very popular diabetes drug not long ago. In 1998, warnings(3) about using the widely prescribed drug Rezulin started appearing from the manufacturer and by 2000, Parke-Davis voluntarily pulled their drug off the market because of an alarming number of very serious side-effects including death. And, of further concern to diabetics is the fact that the drugs now receiving usage warnings are in the same drug class as Rezulin.
The point here is that more and more diabetics are beginning to see a disturbing trend concerning widely prescribed diabetes drugs. The drugs are released with great fanfare and then there are some very serious problems. For example, Byetta is a new diabetes drug that has now been linked with causing acute pancreatitis (4). So, as a result of this trend, more and more type 2 diabetics are now actively searching for healthier alternatives to controlling their diabetes and perhaps even eliminating it. At this same time, hypnosis is becoming more and more recognized as a powerful tool for health. One example among many is an amazing article published by the Mayo Clinic. The article is titled Hypnosis In Contemporary Medicine.(5)
The conclusion of the Mayo article should make any person and especially those with diabetes, take notice: "The acceptance of hypnosis as a mode of treatment in medicine is increasing as a result of ‘careful, methodical, empirical work of many research pioneers.’"
"Many important trials reviewed here have helped to establish the role of hypnosis in contemporary medicine. These trials have established the utility and efficacy of hypnosis for several medical conditions, either alone or as part of the treatment regimen."(6)
What is interesting is that the Mayo Clinic is basically agreeing with the title of a November 3rd, 1958 Life Magazine cover article: "Hypnosis: Old ‘Black Art’ Is Now Accepted Medical Tool". 50 very quiet years have passed since hypnosis was recognized by the main stream press as a legitimate and powerful tool for health. It’s almost like everyone was in a trance and couldn’t see what was right in front of them. But now, consumers are far more motivated to take of themselves and so they are becoming more educated largely through the internet where they are looking for and finding, huge amounts of quality information. For example, if a person were to search for quality information about hypnosis for children, they would eventually find a University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital web page (7) with some amazing statements by doctors. Following is an excerpt from that web page: "Children and adolescents with chronic medical or emotional conditions often benefit from medical self-hypnosis, which is taught at University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. This therapeutic approach, based upon the intimate relationship between mind and body, has been recognized in the medical community since the 1950s.
Medical self-hypnosis teaches patients how to focus and concentrate, leading to a state of inner relaxation and increased self-control. It is a useful tool for managing mental and physical functions in a variety of situations, from tolerating pain to regulating behavior. Most children and adolescents can learn self-hypnosis - even the very young."
(Ed. Note: Adults can also learn to successfully use hypnosis as well.)
Now, with respect to people with diabetes but especially children, let’s look at the above excerpt and pick out 3 critical phrases: "chronic medical condition", "self-control" and "regulating behavior". Diabetes is a chronic medical condition. And, self-control is certainly crucial in those with diabetes. Regulating behavior is also critical to anybody with diabetes but especially children because poor childhood behavioral decisions carry devastating early adult consequences.
When will more medical practitioners start realizing the enormous benefits of hypnosis? Just as importantly, how come they don’t understand the huge savings - emotional, physical and financial that can be realized by the applications of hypnosis? Well, more medical practitioners will begin realizing the benefits of hypnosis when their patients bring articles like this into them. It is very hard (but not impossible) to ignore well-documented evidence. Doctors and nurses are over-worked and they certainly don’t have time to sit down and search for safe, proven, non-pharmaceutical remedies for their patients. This is why they don’t understand the potential comprehensive savings that hypnosis can bring. And, frankly, most physicians will tell you that their day-to-day education comes out of the mouths of drug sales representatives. Don’t get me wrong please. I am NOT against pharmaceutical drugs. I am for them with this caveat: I am very much against the inappropriate prescription of medicines and that is epidemic in our country. By the way, did you know that hypnosis has been shown to decrease the need for certain drugs? Pain medication reduction is one example. (8), (9)
So since hypnosis (the power of the mind) has a long and clearly demonstrated history of helping to reduce certain medication needs, then isn’t it at least worthwhile looking at to see if it can help reduce other medication needs? Well, it appears that someone has been wondering about the influence of the mind on the body as it relates to diabetes.
Dr. Richard Surwit of Duke University makes the following 3 enlightening points: (10), (11)
1) Stress management techniques, when added to standard care, help reduce glucose levels.
2) The change is nearly as large as you would expect to see from some diabetes-control drugs.
3) Stress management techniques are simple, quick to learn, and have been shown to work for multiple conditions, including coronary syndromes.
One point of this article has been to bring to light well-researched information which proves not only that the power of the mind can help persons with diabetes but that it must be utilized sooner rather than later.
Hypnosis must be used in conjunction with standard health care sooner rather than later to help those with diabetes (as well as other challenges) because although drugs can be life saving, their negative side-effects are numerous, often unnecessary and costly in many ways. And, the lack of patient compliance is making their usefulness questionable. And keep in mind that there are things hypnosis can do that drugs cannot. A few moments ago you read statements by doctors at the University of Minnesota telling how, among many things, hypnosis can help increase self-control as well as positively regulate behavior. There is not a drug in the world that can increase a person’s self-control.
- Many widely prescribed diabetes medications have had significant problems leading first to warnings and then removal from the market.
- More and more type 2 diabetics are looking for information that can help them to better manage their health without having to use drugs.
- Diabetics are primarily using the internet to get information that can help them improve their health in some way. And yes, they have to be discriminating because as well as a lot of high quality information, there is also a lot of bunk.
- Coinciding with this trend is the increasing investigation and recognition of hypnosis as a legitimate and effective healing tool. In fact, the American Medical Association recognized the value of hypnosis in 1958. (12)
The above summary and facts leads to the following major point of this article: Diabetes is a perfect condition for the applications of mind-power (hypnosis) in many ways. Following are just a few of the many possible applications of hypnosis to diabetes:
- Enhanced self-control and behavioral regulation which will lead to better food choices, exercise and other habits that can stabilize and improve a diabetic’s condition and can sometimes lead to a remission of diabetes symptoms (if enough weight is lost for example).
- Physiologically, the power of the mind is already demonstrated to have a blood sugar lowering effect for people with diabetes (type 2 so far). In light of this evidence, the following reasonable questions need to be considered: (a) Why isn’t hypnosis used more for this purpose? (b) What else is possible in this area and shouldn’t it be investigated?
- Pain increases blood sugar levels. If a diabetic is experiencing pain (not uncommon), then chances are quite likely that their sugar levels are being adversely affected. While pain medications are one alternative, hypnosis should be the first choice because it is the safest and least costly.
Hypnosis is not a panacea. While a great deal of compelling evidence has been presented in favor of the application of hypnosis to diabetes (and other challenges), it must be kept in mind that it is not being presented as a cure-all; only as an valuable and highly effective adjunct to standard care.
Thank you for taking your time to read this article.
C. Devin Hastings
President, MN. Institute of Advanced Communication Skills
REFERENCES:
(1) http://www.fda.gov/Medwatch/SAFETY/2007/safety07.htm#rosiglitazone
(2) http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USCOL75581020071127
(3) http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/rezulin.htm
(4) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/85857.php.
(5) http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/inside.asp?AID=888&UID
(6) Ibid 5.
(7) http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/Services/Services/c_195845.asp
(8) Preoperative Hypnotic Techniques Reduce Consumption of Analgesics after Surgical Removal of Third Mandibular Molars: A Brief Communication.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Volume 45, Issue 2 April 1997, pages 102 - 108
(9) The Use of Hypnosis In Controlling Cancer Pain by David Spiegel M.D.
http://intl-caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/4/221
(10) The MindBody Diabetes Revolution: A Proven New Program for Better Blood Sugar Control by Richard S. Surwit
(11) Diabetes Care January 2002
(12) "The use of hypnosis has a recognized place in the medical armamentarium and is a useful technique…"
- Journal of the American Medical Association
Council on Mental Health Report, Sept. 13, 1958
Hypnosis for weight loss / exercise
Self hypnosis is a very powerful tool for changing behaviour. I used it together with NLP techniques for controlling anxiety, and it worked really well.
Beyond Disorderly Eating
A bit of background…. we are working with creative Interactive Self-Hypnosis imagery, planting suggestions directly into the creative subconscious mind as you read along.
Your guide to today, tomorrow and beyond
Oasis Community for Spiritual development: Forum topics include the Law of Attraction and spiritual tools for enriching daily living, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at El Paso Success Center.
Awake Eating vs Sleep Eating
If you are new to this area, you might want to read the earlier mini-chapters. They are available on FaceBook, The PublishersMarketPlace & at the following link.
Hypnosis Summit
Individuals are seeking greater natural and self-care oriented methods for the management of conditions ranging from cancer to HIV/AIDS, lupus, diabetes, etc.
Panic Disorder For Women
It is believed that as many as 30 percent of people who visit their doctor or hospital emergency unit complaining of chest pains, may actually be experiencing anxiety or panic attack symptoms, and not heart attacks or stroke. Once correctly diagnosed, panic disorders can be treated using a variety of anxiety medications, or more recently the preferred option, at least initially, is psychotherapy and behavioral or cognitive therapies.
Pounding heart, dizziness and sheer terror for no apparent reason are among the symptoms of a panic attack or anxiety disorder that strikes mostly women.
Three million or more Americans suffer from panic disorder which was recognized as a distinct psychiatric condition 12 years ago. Dr. Frederick K. Goodwin, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said 75 percent of those who suffer from panic disorder do not get the help they need - although a variety of therapies can lift the paralyzing fear for 70 percent to 90 percent of sufferers.
Panic disorder, which usually surfaces during teen-age years or early 20s, affects twice as many women as men. An attack may last only seconds or minutes, but leaves a victim unsteady for some time afterward.
Fear of Anticipation
Frequently, the anticipation of having subsequent attacks is more frightening than an attack itself.
Panic disorder is diagnosed when either an unprovoked episode of at least four of the following symptoms occurs within one month, or when one such attack is followed by persistent fear of having another:
- Intense terror
- Sweating
- Numbness or tingling, especially in the hands or feet
- Hot or cold flashes
- Shortness of breath
- Faintness
- Heart palpitations
- Trembling
- Chest discomfort
- Feelings of unreality
- Nausea
- Choking or smothering sensations
- Fear of losing control, going crazy or dying
Sufferers may be overwhelmed by a sense of impending doom and a feeling of unreality. They often think they are having a stroke, heart attack or that they’re losing their mind, as the chest pains they are experiencing can also be a symptom of a panic attack. Some manage to function. Others are forced to give up their jobs and relationships. Many treat their condition with alcohol or illicit drugs. As many as 20 percent of these people may attempt suicide, according to Myrna Weissman, professor of epidemiology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City.
A substantial number of panic disorder sufferers develop agoraphobia, avoiding situations where they imagine an attack might occur or where help or escape would be difficult. Agoraphobics may be unable to eat in restaurants, travel in cars or planes, cross wide streets or shop in supermarkets. Some may not venture outside their homes.
The exact cause of panic disorder is unclear, but researchers believe the unpredictable attacks are prompted by a biochemical abnormality. Often the first attacks are triggered by physical or emotional stress involving loss or separation.
Two parallel tracks in treating panic disorder have evolved over the last 12 years - medication and behavioural or cognitive therapies. Increasingly experts acknowledge that patients frequently need a combination of drugs and psychotherapy.
There is no one best approach for all patients. Treatment most be tailored to the individual. Some therapists are now trying a new behavioural technique called panic control treatment, in which the physical sensations of fear are aroused in the therapist’s office after a sufferer is taught coping stills.
For more information about anxiety and panic disorder visit
ConquerYourAnxiety.org.
By: Mike Spencer
Panic Attack: Signs, Symptoms, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
A panic attack may happen just once without any problem or complication. And there is almost no reason to be concerned if you have one or two episodes.
Anxiety Chest Pain Is Almost a Panic Attack! | Calm Clinic
Women are somewhat more likely than men to suffer from Panic Disorders. Onset usually occurs in late adolescence or early adult life but may begin somewhat earlier or later.
Everything You Need to Know about Panic and Anxiety Attacks | Stop
In addition, an estimate of 1.5% to 3.8% up to 15% of the American population is prone to suffer from panic attacks at some point in their lives.
Panic Attacks and Anxiety - Physical Symptoms of Panic Attacks and
About 50% to 66% of women and 35% to 40% of men who have a panic disorder suffer from frequent headaches.
Women, Anxiety, and Exercise | Anxiety and OCD Exposed
Furthermore, the rates of anxiety disorders are two to three times greater in women than in men. Anxiety comes in many forms such as panic disorder.
|
|
Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of extreme anxiety accompanied by significant physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating and shortness of breath. They are usually accompanied by an overwhelming fear of catastrophe - the person may feel they are dying or suffering a heart attack, or they may fear they are going mad. They can occur in response to specific situations (such as crowded areas) or spontaneously and with no obvious cause. They are usually short-lived (lasting a few minutes) but are so unpleasant that a person may live in fear of it happening again - in many cases, this will lead to the person avoiding situations that they think will trigger an attack (’avoidance behaviour’).
panic attacks quite commonly accompany other anxiety conditions such as generalised anxiety and specific phobias (particularly Agoraphobia - the fear of open spaces). However they can occur outwith these other conditions - a study in 1994 found that 3 people in every 100 had experienced panic attacks alone. Panic Disorder is the term used by Psychiatrists for those psychological conditions in which panic attacks predominate. Wanting to overcome panic attacks is a common reason for why people come to see me for NLP or CBT Edinburgh at my NLP and CBT practice Edinburgh.
Psychological Symptoms of Panic Attacks: Intense anxiety, fear of dying, fear of losing control or going mad, depersonalisation (the unpleasant feeling that you are not ‘real’ or are detached from yourself), derealisation (the unpleasant feeling that your environment is ‘fake’ or you are an ‘actor in a play’)
Physical Symptoms of Panic Attacks: shortness of breath or feeling ’smothered, choking, palpitations (feeling the heart racing or beating irregularly), chest pain, sweating, dizziness or feeling faint, nausea or abdominal discomfort, flushing of the skin or feeling chilled, trembling or shaking.
The feeing of being unable to breath can lead to a compensatory increase in breathing rate (hyperventilation) by the person. This in turn can affect the body adversely, leading to both a worsening of the physical symptoms above and additional symptoms:
Physical Symptoms of Hyperventilation: tinnitus (ringing in the ears),numbness or tingling sensations in the hands, feet and face, headache, weakness, spasms of the hand and foot muscles
In a panic attack, people will usually experience at least 4 of the above symptoms, although most experience many more than this. For a diagnosis of Panic Disorder, the person will experience at least 4 panic attacks in a 4-week period, or experience significant fear of a further attack (and exhibit avoidance behaviour) for 4 weeks following a single episode.
Treatment
If the panic attacks are associated with other conditions such as generalised anxiety, phobia or depression, then the appropriate course of action is to address these underlying issues first - the panic attacks should subside as these other issues are resolved.
If the panic attacks are the main problem, then (as with most psychological problems) two courses of action are available - drug treatment and psychological therapies.
The drug treatment of panic attacks limited. Sedative drugs such as the Benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam (Valium)) are very effective in the short term, but are highly addictive and can lead to dependence. Further, when these drugs are withdrawn, a resurgence of the panic is likely. Antidepressants, particularly the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Citalopram (Cipramil) and Paroxetine (Seroxat), are licensed for use in panic disorder. They can cause an initial worsening of symptoms when first taken, and can cause other side effects such as gastro-intestinal disturbance and sexual dysfunction. Drug treatments are not as effective as psychological therapies in these conditions.
NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommends Cognitive Therapy for the treatment of panic attacks and panic disorder. Their research has shown it to be more effective than any drug treatments. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) involve the patient seeing a therapist on a one-to-one basis for hour-long sessions. The total treatment course is typically between 6 and 12 sessions, with one session a week. The therapies involve an explanation of the psychological and physical symptoms of panic attacks, and may involve the deliberate precipitation of a panic attack during a session. The aim is to reduce the fear associated with the physical symptoms - this fear is often a cause of the attacks itself and the associated avoidance behaviours. Once the fear of the panic attacks is reduced, the attacks themselves will lessen in frequency and severity and, hopefully, disappear altogether.
Despite the clear recommendations by NICE, the availability of Cognitive Therapy remains limited in the NHS. If your GP or local Mental Health Trust is unable to provide the appropriate treatment for your condition, they may be able to recommend a therapist in the private sector.
Panic Attack Treatments Revealed
Additionally, because you cannot predict when you will have such attack, just the ones that are diagnosed with the panic disorder (or constant attacks could acquire those varietie.
Tips You Can Use to Control Panic Attacks
Gerry Restrivera writes informative articles on various subjects including Panic Disorder: Tips You Can Use to Control Panic Attacks.
Learn How to Stop Anxiety Disorder and Spells of Panic Attack
There isnt a person on earth who looks for or wants to be a target of the unpleasantness panic attacks and anxiety disorder bring with them.
Panic And Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder - Stories of Hope / Documentary Video; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Mental Health; Panic Disorder:
Panic Attack Treatments Explained
The primary cause of panic attacks is still not fef fully understood but the thing which is understood is that this can happen to any person, devoid of any reason.
