Treat ADHD with Hypnosis

Friday, May 15, 2009 by: Steve G. Jones, Ed.S.
Tags: ADHD, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.5 million children (ages 5-17) in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. A lot of research is being conducted to find ways in which the symptoms of ADHD can be reduced. People with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have symptoms that include inability to focus or concentrate, impulsive and highly active behavior, and behaving without thinking. Researchers are unsure what causes ADHD, but studies have shown that there might be a genetic link. Hypnosis is a natural method of treatment and has been shown to help people who suffer from ADHD.

The CDC reports that children with ADHD are more likely to have problems that interfere with relationships with their peers. Parents of children that have been diagnosed with ADHD report that the children have 3 times as many problems with friends compared to a child without ADHD. Also, children with ADHD are at a higher risk of injury compared to children without ADHD (4.5% v. 2.5%). The occurrence of ADHD varies by state in the United States. Colorado has the lowest rate of 5% and Alabama has the highest 11.1% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

There is a lot of research being conducted on ADHD. It affects so many people, not just the person diagnosed with ADHD, but family, friends, and acquaintances as well. ADHD has a major impact on school performance and relationships with others. Researchers are trying to find interventions that have long-term and lasting effects in helping people with ADHD.

A meta-analysis was performed on studies that looked toward treating ADHD with neurofeedback. Neurofeedback measures brain activity in response to certain treatments. Neurofeedback has been shown to improve ADHD in relation to academic achievement, personal relationships, and increased cognitive functioning.

The downfall to treating ADHD with neurofeedback is that it can take anywhere from 20-80 sessions to see results. This meta-analysis showed that using neurofeedback with hypnosis can greatly accelerate the rate of improvement in an individual with ADHD. It is not guaranteed that neurofeedback and hypnosis will cure a child or adult of ADHD and its symptoms. However, a great deal of success has been observed with the use of hypnosis and neurofeedback and at an accelerated rate (Lingenfelter, 2001).

The form of hypnosis used in this form of treatment is called Instantaneous Neuronal Activation Procedure (INAP). This is a form of active-alert hypnosis. Active-alert hypnosis is performed when someone is alert and their eyes are open. Patients often feel more in control under active-alert hypnosis (Wark, 2006).

Advances in research are very important in finding interventions to help treat ADHD. Reducing the number of sessions a person has to participate in in order to treat their ADHD can have a quicker impact on their life. ADHD often affects the psychological well-being of the sufferer. Finding natural and non-invasive techniques to treat ADHD is very important.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Online. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.html

Lingenfelter, J.E. (2001). Review of the literature regarding the efficacy of neurofeedback in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Doctoral dissertation.

Wark, D.M. (2006). Alert hypnosis: A review and case report. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.

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/