Can you use hypnosis as a sleep aid?

[LuvMyKids]

Particularly, I am wondering if I could find a hypnosis therapist to help my son sleep better at night. He was born with sleep apnea, at 2 years old his tonsils and adnoids were removed to help him sleep, but he still struggles to actually relax enough to reach REM. He is now 7 years old and can't sleep through the night.

I have wondered often about hypnosis to help because I am really against medicines and doubt that a doctor would prescribe help for someone so young anyway.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Terry (existing)]

My reply to your question would be in the form of a guess, since we know nothing about the child except what you have mentioned in your post. However, it could well be that he has developed a habit of lack of sleep during the time he had problems, and now continues that habit. On the other hand, it could also be an existing problem which needs to be dealt with, but in both cases hypnosis would be of great help. You can be guided to some extent by the way, by observing how he functions during the day. If he seems fine, he does not require more sleep. Most of us could use less than we take and still be fine in all respects.

[Don]

Without doing an in-depth interview with your son, it is impossible to say what the actual cause(s) is(are) from a hypnotherapeutic standpoint. However, even without going into any great depth, hypnotists tend to be trained in relaxation techniques. A certified clinical hypnotherapist should be able to give a great deal of help.

[LuvMyKids]

However, it could well be that he has developed a habit of lack of sleep during the time he had problems, and now continues that habit.

Yes, I actually believe that this is mostly out of habit because he never learned from an early age to sleep. I sincerely hope there are no other underlying issues. It is hard as a mother to try and try and yet fail and fail to get him to sleep through the night. I have read several books and have yet found the key. That is why my thoughts keep wandering to hypnosis.

Thanks for your reply. It gives me encouragement to pursue this avenue seriously. Now, to find the therapist....

[LuvMyKids]

Thank you for your reply. It is a relief to know that this could be a viable option to help my son.