Originally published November 24 2009
Hypnosis Helps Reduce Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome
by Steve G. Jones, Ed.S.
(NaturalNews) Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is characterized by motor and verbal tics. The symptoms first become apparent in early childhood. The first symptom is usually a facial tic such as eye blinking, grimacing, or nose twitching and these are soon replaced with other motor tics involving the neck, limbs, and trunk. These tics are involuntary and people with the disorder experience involuntary urges to perform motor or verbal activity. Hypnosis has been shown to improve the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome.
Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms include verbal tics such as shouting, barking, grunting, and throat clearing. Verbal tics known as coprolalia consist of the involuntary use of obscene words. Copropraxia is the involuntary action of obscene gestures. Although Tourette's is known for these symptoms, they are severe symptoms and not common of the disorder.
The majority of people with Tourette Syndrome have mild symptoms. Also, people with Tourette Syndrome are more likely to also have Attentional Deficit Disorder, Attentional Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and learning disabilities.
Stressful situations can make symptoms of Tourette Syndrome worsen. Tension and anxiety can also be attributed to worsening the symptoms. Hypnotherapy has been found to improve the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Hypnosis is a relaxed state of consciousness. This state allows people to be more open to suggestions. When these suggestions deal directly with their symptoms and anxiety, they are able to relax and make these suggestions a part of their life, thus reducing their symptoms. After a few sessions, people with Tourette Syndrome can dramatically improve their overall lifestyle.
A case study was conducted involving an adolescent male with Tourette Syndrome. He was referred to a hypnotherapist from his physician. The male had a total of 9 hypnosis sessions over a 6-month time period. The model used involved a 4-step treatment process including progressive relaxation, finger-tip temperature feedback using a biotic finger band, Spiegel's eye-roll procedure, and imagery.
Immediately following treatment and at the 6-month follow-up, he reported minimal to non-existent symptoms. The hypnosis sessions had helped him reduce stress that triggered the symptoms and it helped him regain control of Tourette Syndrome. It was also reported that soon after treatment, the participant in the study applied for the Air Force and passed his entrance examination.
Research and studies have shown that hypnosis is helpful in reducing the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. This will enable Tourette Syndrome sufferers to lead a more normal lifestyle with fewer tics and interruptions. Hypnosis also gives them more control.
Sources
Culbertson, F.M. (1989). A four-step hypnotherapy model for Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome. The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 31(4), 252-256.
Densky, A.B. (2008) Facial tics banished using hypnosis or NLP. Retrieved on November 20, 2009: HYPERLINK "http://www.zimbio.com/Tourette+Syndrome/arti...
What is Tourette Syndrome? National Tourette Syndrome Association. Retrieved on November 20, 2009: HYPERLINK "http://www.tsa-usa.org/Medical/whatists.html...
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/
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