Hypnotic imagery as an adjunct to therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: an experimental case report

• Published in: Contemporary hypnosis : the journal of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 141 - 149
• Main Authors: Walters, Valerie J., Oakley, David A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2006
• Subjects: anxiety management; cognitive behavioural therapy; gut‐directed imagery; Hypnosis; Irritable bowel syndrome; pain; Treatment methods
• ISSN: 0960-5290; 1557-0711
• DOI: 10.1002/ch.317

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a debilitating condition affecting between 14 and 25% of the general population. Medication has been reported to be of limited efficacy. However, there is increasing evidence suggesting that hypnotic imagery can be an effective adjunct to therapy for this problem. The present experimental single case study aims to illustrate the process of psychological treatment of IBS with the adjunct of hypnosis and to explore the effectiveness of particular interventions. Over 10 sessions of treatment an overall reduction of 64% was seen in primary IBS symptoms. At 9‐months follow‐up this had improved further to a 72% reduction in primary symptoms and lower anxiety levels. The marked improvement seen with this client is consistent with the view that hypnosis is an effective adjunct to IBS treatments. Copyright © 2006 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.