Advice on using hypnotism as treatment for seizures.

[mesmer]

I wonder if someone could tell me if hypnotism can be effective in the treatment of seizures. Anyone have experience with this? If it can be, then how?

The person I know who has this affliction is in her 60's, they are considered "ideopathic", as the doctors say, they cannot find a cause. But I think there is a cause, and a reason why the brain is hit with this sort of thing, and there must be clues as to how it happens and what may be done about it. What, for instance, would be a way to find answers or clues to her affliction through hypnotism?

I very much appreciate your insight into this and your response.

[thackaray]

I would only even go near this kind of client, only once I got a referal from their Doctor. Then I would make sure that they are regularly taking their medication before any session would start and would only work with the doctor present.

I am aware of the issues when working with epileptics and believe that the same safety considerations should be used when a client has seizures.

I've not had experience of a client with this specific issue before. So I'll graciously leave how to find out or even deal with seizure sufferers under hypnosis to others.

[Merlin]

>Anyone have experience with this?

Yes,
Hypnotism can be very effective.

>If it can be, then how?

Same as with any other issue.
Ask the mind to consider the purpose behind the activity,
reframe the issues, then ask if anything else is needed.

[mesmer]

Merlin, can you give an example of reframing the issues?

It's good to hear you've actually had experience with this sort of thing, and can offer some insight. I believe there is a way to deal with this in a more natural way (other than the drugs), and I'm very interested in the possibilities of hypnosis. I can see Thackaray's point about using extreme caution, but on the other hand, you seem to be confident about it's response to hypnotic treatment.

Is it as "simple" as suggesting that the mind find a way of healing the "issue". Or is it more complex, to get to that point?

[Terry (existing)]

Confidence comes from having sufficient experience and skill, and not from the effects of hypnosis. There is nothing as good as face to face therapy, and to get such requires that you consult the doctor involved, and request that they send you for the therapy you wish, along with a letter to the therapist, who, if ethical will require it. We can tell you what works, but not describe the "how to" online. This is tantamount to training. We often get careless, and when asked respond "Yes hypnosis works", but fact is, it isn't the hypnosis that works, but the skill of the practitioner in its use, hence our refusal to offer descriptions to those who are not properly skilled and practised....

[Merlin]

Hi Mesmer,

When I looked at your 'profile', I didn't see your medical experience listed.
MD? EMT? Nurse? Other?

While helping a person with hypnosis is fairly easy for a well trained hypnotist, it's not something to dabble with when a person has a serious ailment.
Do you know haw to handle a person 'in seizure'?
What will you do if it occurs during the hypnosis?

>Is it as "simple" as suggesting that the mind find a way of healing the "issue". Or is it more complex, to get to that point?

well, that's all there is to it, in the same way that removing an appendix is simply: CUT HERE>>>>

To someone skilled, trained, and experienced, it's easy.

If you really want to help, get specific training. Otherwise, refer to someone else who is skilled.

[mesmer]

Well, I am not trained or experienced in hypnotism or therapy, I am only a very interested person, new to this fascinating subject, who has specific questions about the possibility of treatment for a condition. I'd never be foolish enough to consider attempting anything like this on my own, nor would I even attempt anything at all in hypnotherapy without proper training.

But, if I could be assured of the potential effective treatment by a trained, skilled therapist (as I am now, from the comments and suggestions here) in this matter, then I could recommend it with confidence to the person who has this affliction.

I fully understand how serious such a thing is.

[Merlin]

Not everyone understands the seriousness and often they want a simple, quick, do-it-yourself solution.
Since we cannot know your intent, we need to include cautions. :)

[mesmer]

Yes, I understand. Thanks Merlin. Whew! I thought for a moment I was in some hot water.

Anyway, my intent was to draw out a discussion of this issue. From the many books and articles I've read over the past few months since I began studying hypnosis, I've come to see how many problems may be treated effectively by this sort of therapy, and I came to think perhaps the problem of epilepsy may also be treated. Glad to hear you say that it can be, from your own experience.

By saying it seemed "easy", I meant that the process seems so simple, in contrast to the weight of the problem. Of course, it's probably not as simple as it appears to be. Treating such an affliction no doubt requires great caution and insight, and time to get at the real causes. Never know what may trigger a seizure, really.

But, it is possible to treat it. And so I wondered how - not from mere curiosity, but since I am not trained or practicing as a hypnotherapist, I can only investigate it in this way. I'm also convinced that this is more effective by far than drugs, which "treat" or perhaps mask the symptoms and never really address the causes.

I can't help wondering what might be the mental, psychological, spiritual causes of seizures. I know that stress seems to bring on the events for the person I know who has it. But what might lie deep within the mind that may be the reason, and how to help such a person to find and realized this, so that they might be able to make a positive change and perhaps even free themselves from it?

Wow, that sounds like powerful stuff! Little wonder hypnotism can seem amazing, even magical.

Thanks for your insight and comments.

[thackaray]

When dealing with epilepsy and I'm goes the same with seizures too, it is very prudent that you work in conjunction with their Doctor. When an Epileptic sufferer comes to me, I always make sure that they are taking their medication as prescribed by their Dr.

It also helps that you have researched the medical condition yourself, so that you can word the therapy accordingly.

Hypnosis is great for reducing the symptoms, causes and effect of Epilepsy.

[Merlin]

>I can't help wondering what might be the mental, psychological, spiritual causes of seizures.

>But what might lie deep within the mind that may be the reason, and how to help such a person to find and realized this, so that they might be able to make a positive change and perhaps even free themselves from it?

Every person is different.
Every person needs to be treated as an individual.
There is no one size fits all incantation.
Sometimes, the issue is physical damage somewhere.
Sometimes hypnosis alone isn't enough.

We just can't say because 'seizures' is a label for symptoms, not a illness.