Hypnotherapy as a treatment for Atopic Dermatitis in Adults and Children

Friday, November 07, 2008 by: Steve G. Jones, Ed.S.
Tags: hypnosis, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Many people don't know that skin is the largest organ on the human body. Its many functions incorporate every other system in our bodies. Though skin disorders are often the easier maladies to treat, there are some instances when it takes a little more than some topical ointments to rid rashes. Among other useful treatments, researches now believe that hypnotherapy can greatly increase the healing process and general well-being of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, a skin disease similar to eczema.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) usually affects infants, toddlers, children, and young adults who have a family history of hay fever and asthma. Symptoms often include red, itchy, and flaky skin that is easily irritated. Persistent scratching worsens the symptoms and may often negatively affect both the physical and mental state of the patient. The scratching can also leave embarrassing marks all over the affected area.

Typically, treatment of the disease includes application of ointments and high doses of moisturizers, but now a revolutionary study showed that it's even possible to mentally treat the disease.

Researchers at the Barnsley District General Hospital in the United Kingdom performed a study to show the affects of hypnotherapy on patients with atopic dermatitis. 18 adults with heavy AD, which had been resistant to standard medical treatments, and 20 children with severe AD were tested for the study.

Almost immediately, all but 1 participant started showing improvements. The treatment lasted throughout an 18-month period of time and improvements remained constant throughout the next 2 clinical testing appointments following the initial session. Of the children, 10 experienced immediate relief from itching and scratching, 9 had an increase in calmer sleeping patterns, and 7 showed improvements in their general moods.

A person's skin is their introductory seal to the entire world. It's what makes all of us unique, and what separates each individual from the next. Any disorders or diseases that affect the skin are immediately treated but the treatments may often be physically and emotionally scarring. Any revolutionary treatments, such as hypnotherapy, that affectively enrich the lives of suffering patients should be utilized.

The majority of sufferers of atopic dermatitis are children and adolescents. The growing process is difficult enough without having to deal with disorders of the skin; therefore hypnotherapy comes as a wonderful new way to alleviate yet another worry.

Sources:
A.C. STEWART, S.E. THOMAS British Journal of Dermatology Volume 132, Issue 5, Pages778 – 783 1995 British Association of Dermatologists

Atopic dermatitis. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/41...

About the author

Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. has been practicing hypnotherapy since the 1980s. He is the author of 22 books on Hypnotherapy. Steve is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, American Board of Hypnotherapy, president of the American Alliance of Hypnotists, on the board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Lung Association, and director of the Steve G. Jones School of Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. is a board certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Florida (1994), a master's degree in education from Armstrong Atlantic State University (2007), and is currently working on a doctorate in education, Ed.D., at Georgia Southern University. Learn more at:
http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/