Why I don’t offer “gastric band” hypnotherapy

I am sometimes contacted by people who want to know if I offer gastric band hypnotherapy – sometimes called Hypno-band treatment.  The answer is no, I don’t.  And I have very good reasons for not offering this service.

My main reason for not offering this type of treatment is that I firmly believe that in order to achieve a healthy body shape and size it is necessary to improve one’s relationship with oneself and with food. Being overweight or obese, or indeed underweight, is usually the result of unhealthy eating habits which have become ingrained over time. Sometimes bad habits are reinforced by psychological or emotional factors.  A good hypnotherapist or counsellor can work with individuals to help them to address the issues that are preventing them from achieving a more healthy lifestyle.  Often, with just a few manageable and sustainable changes, supported by hypnotherapy or counselling,  individuals can gradually and healthily change their eating or dietary habits, and as a result can reduce or gain weight in a steady and healthy way. Gastric band hypnotherapy does not work in the same way, it is designed to ‘trick’ the mind into believing that one has undergone gastric band surgery which has reduced the size of the stomach. This supposedly leads to a reduced appetite and therefore weight loss.   It is sometimes delivered in a single session without any follow up or attention paid to psychological or emotional factors behind disordered eating.

Next, I have worked with several clients who have undergone gastric band hypnotherapy and who have told me it ‘didn’t work’ for them.  These clients have subsequently achieved good results through improving their eating habits and relationships with food. In many of these cases there have been emotional factors that needed to be addressed.

Although practitioners of this type of treatment claim that unlike real gastric band surgery, the hypnotherapy option is without side effects, worryingly this may not always be the case.  If the mind believes that the body has undergone surgery, it is possible to experience the same side effects as if one had really had the surgery!  This may include nausea, bloating, difficulty eating and any of the side effects associated with general anaesthesia.

Lastly, and most worryingly, hypnotherapy gastric band treatment is sometimes offered by practitioners who have had no formal hypnotherapy training.  Some – although not all – organisations offering training in the methods do not require any hypnotherapy qualifications from trainees.  Some of them offer the course on CD with no classroom training, which means anyone can train themselves! This unfortunately means that the person carrying out the treatment may not be trained in how to deal with any adverse reactions the client may experience, nor have any insight into the ethical considerations of hypnotherapy.  If they are not associated with a professional hypnotherapy body, they may not have professional liability insurance nor follow a code of ethics or conduct which governs the way they handle your personal information, among other important things.  If you do want to undergo this type of treatment I strongly urge you to check out your practitioner’s credentials and qualifications and ideally, ensure that he or she is a member of the CNHC  (the UK voluntary register for complementary therapists) which has strict registration criteria.  ALWAYS check your practitioner has relevant insurance.

So these are the main reasons that I don’t offer this type of therapy.  I am sure that for many people it can be successful and helpful, but I just don’t feel that I want to work that way.  However, I have great success working with clients who want to permanently and easily change the way they look and feel, by addressing their habits and beliefs about themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Caring for the Carer

Are you putting your life on hold in order to care for someone else?

I have seen many clients who are carers, whether for a spouse, relative or loved one, a parent, a child or a friend. They are dedicated to looking after the needs of another, but this can mean that they are not always focused on taking care of themselves. Being a carer can bring its own problems, such as:

  • Isolation: carers are often unable to get out much, particularly if the person they are caring for is housebound.  And when they do get out it is often to cater for the needs of the other – such as hospital visits or appointments.
  • Self-neglect: the carer becomes so focused on the needs of someone else that they may become neglectful of their own needs, whether physical, mental, emotional or all of these.
  • Survivor’s guilt:  this can occur especially if the person being cared for is terminally ill, and particularly if he/she is a spouse.  The carer can feel guilty that they themselves are not the person who is ill, dying, or unable to take care of him/herself.  It is particularly common if both the carer and their charge have been involved in an accident as a result of which one has become incapacitated and the carer has not.
  • Depression:  feeling hopeless about the future, either his or her own or that of the person they are caring for.
  • Stress: carers can feel overwhelmed and unsupported, if they are coping without much of a network of others who can help them, or services to assist them.

Image (c) Simon Cocks 2010 Flickr Creative Commons

If you are a carer it is important that you make time for yourself somehow.  This may feel impossible at times, but any small amount of time where you can remove your carer’s hat and have even a few minutes to yourself, will help you psychologically, emotionally and physically. Even if it is difficult to get away from the place where you are a carer, try to arrange for yourself to have regular rests where you are focusing only on yourself – having a short rest, a cup of tea, or time to read a book or magazine. If you are able to take time away from the person you are caring for – take advantage of this as regularly as possible, and do not feel bad about putting yourself first.  In the long run you will be better able to care for the person you are looking after.

Become comfortable with asking for help.  Do you have any friends, family members or neighbours who would be able to help you out from time to time?  Things that they can help with may include shopping, housework or staying with the person you care for while you have a break. Don’t be afraid to ask – if you do not ask, nobody may be aware that you need help. Do you have any emergency contingency or contacts (a person or people you can call if you need help in a hurry?)  It may be worthwhile to make arrangements so that if anything unexpected happens you know who to call. If you can’t think of anyone whom you can ask for help, your GP or local library may be able to advise, or call your local council’s social services to find out if any assistance is available.  I have met carers who feel that asking for help would be like giving in, or an indication that they are not a good carer; you will be a better carer if you are taking care of your own needs, and that may mean getting extra help from time to time, or on a regular basis.

Are you officially registered as a carer?  If not, and you are looking after someone daily, you may be able to get access to resources or assistance, including financial, by having your status formalised – social services can advise. This can be especially helpful if there is nobody you can ask for help or if you need a break, as respite care arrangements are sometimes possible.

Help the person you are caring for more, by not allowing them to become helpless.  If you care for someone above and beyond their actual needs, you may be dis-enabling them from doing what they can do, which will in turn make your job increasingly more difficult.  Become comfortable with expecting him or her to do as much as they can for themselves. Encourage and support them if necessary, but never prevent them from doing as much as they are able to, as it is beneficial for them to maintain some degree of autonomy or ability.  They will feel better if they are not totally dependent and you will feel better that you can allow them to do something for themselves, even if it is with your help.

The job of being a Carer can be all consuming.  If you feel like you have lost touch with the life you used to have, remember things you used to enjoy doing and find out whether you can take them up again. For example, arts, crafts, sports, keeping fit, dancing, singing, playing chess…… anything that you used to have fun doing.  It’s important to remain engaged with things that represent you and your own interests. You need to have a life away from being a carer, and you need to have fun.

Think about the future – this may not feel right if you are caring for someone who is terminally ill, but in this case it’s even more important that you consider what lies ahead for yourself.  What will you do once the person you are caring for has passed away?  Putting off thinking about it will not stop the inevitable from happening. It really is okay to make plans and to be prepared and it will help you to cope when the time arrives.   Many carers feel cut adrift when the person they are looking after dies; your life will go on and you will need to be prepared to move into a new phase.  If the person you care for is likely to die soon, do give them the chance to talk about it, if they can and if they want to.  Some people really want to talk about what will happen when, and after, they die.  Don’t feel bad introducing the subject, but be gentle and move on if they do not wish to talk about it.  If they do want to talk about it, ask them what they want – where they would prefer to die, who they want to be informed, what arrangements they would like for their funeral and for their belongings.

Many people also find it helps to talk or meet with other carers. Some organisations and charities offer carers support groups, helplines, befriending services or counselling.  Here are a few links where you may find details:
Carers UK
Carers’ Trust
Mind – information for carers
There are many other local resources and organisations too, so look online or ask your local library or council.

Finally, always remember to put yourself first; if that’s not always possible, ensure that you do so as often as you can.   You may be a carer, but you deserve to be looked after too – and self-care is very important.  If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, don’t soldier on thinking you have no options.  Ask for help and above all, look after your own mental and physical health.

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Understanding and Managing Stress

image (c) iStock

Feeling Stressed?

Stress!  It affects all of us at various times of our lives, but what can we do to manage and reduce it?  I’ve worked successfully with many clients to help them alleviate the effects of stress and anxiety, using both hypnotherapy and counselling or a combination of both.  If you’d like to talk to me to  find out how I can help you to manage your stress levels, give me a call on 01494 578686 or drop me a line.  

 

Read on for more information about understanding and managing stress…..

 

Winter often brings with it increased levels of stress and anxiety. The Christmas and new year period can be a challenging time for many of us, with strained family dynamics or increased money pressures. January is the time of year that most of us get back to our usual routines, and it’s also the time that many of us choose to take stock – reflecting on our lives and sometimes implementing changes.  It is the busiest time of year for job searches, diets and new gym memberships.  Yet it can also be an incredibly stressful time – when we can feel overwhelmed by the return to our daily lives or worried about what the future holds.  But what exactly is stress and how can we learn to manage it?

Stress is caused by the activities of the most primitive part of our brain, which is programmed to respond to danger or threat. In prehistoric times it was even more important that we be aware of risks to our physical health and be able to respond to them rapidly.   You may have heard of the fight or flight response, and this is stress in action. When it perceives a threat, the brain stimulates production of the hormones which help us to fight or take flight – primarily adrenalin and cortisol. These hormones enable our bodies to respond quickly and take action, and their physical effects include:

  • increased heart rate
  • faster breathing
  • increased pulse
  • increased perspiration
  • heightened nerve responses

These responses will indeed help us if we do need to fight, or run away, but in most modern day scenarios neither of these is usually necessary when we are under stress,  but our brain still stimulates the stress hormones, with the result that we can experience:

  • agitation
  • palpitations
  • breathlessness
  • excessive sweating (which may include the palms and face)
  • feeling flushed
  • dry mouth
  • general uneasy and nervous feelings

Stress normally affects us most when we feel overwhelmed, or when the demands made upon us seem like more than we can cope with. Stress in itself is not a medical condition, but if it isn’t managed sufficiently, prolonged stress can lead to anxiety or depression, both of which are recognised as mental health problems. Stress is often associated with times of change, so it you are going through any of the following you  may find your stress levels increasing:

  • Moving home
  • Separation or divorce
  • Children leaving home
  • Starting a new job
  • Retirement or redundancy
  • A new baby or adoption
  • Managing illness (ourselves or others)
  • Bereavement

These are times when we can feel that we are not fully in control of our environment, and this feels like a threat to our security, which can bring on the stress response. If you feel that your stress levels are so high that you are having difficulty coping, sleeping or are experiencing panic attacks (exaggerated anxiety leading to physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness or palpitations that may come on suddenly) then it is important that you consult your doctor.  But for most of us there is much we can do to manage our stress levels to prevent a worsening of symptoms and to help us feel better.

Tips for managing stress:

  1. If you are stressed because you are so busy, try to plan your day more.  Use a planning tool to set aside time to deal with each task and stick to it as much as you can, also remembering to schedule in time for rest and relaxation. Here’s a nice simple weekly planner that you can download for free.  This will make you more effective and help you to feel that you are more in control.
  2. Get enough sleep.  Tiredness increases feelings of stress and makes us feel less in control.  Have a fixed time for going to bed every night and stick to it as much as possible.  Before going to bed make sure that you unwind for at least an hour, avoiding activities that are too stimulating (TV, computers or exercise for example). A warm bath or a hot caffeine-free non alcoholic drink may be helpful in unwinding and reducing stress before bed.
  3. Take a time out when your stress levels start to rise.  If you can, give yourself a 20 minute break from what you are doing.  You will return to your task fresher and with a clearer mind.  During the 20 minutes rest your mind by meditating, using self hypnosis or doing some gentle exercise (yoga or stretching are ideal).  Have a glass of water or a hot drink (preferably caffeine free as caffeine can exacerbate stress responses).
  4. Eat a regular healthy diet of balanced meals and avoid sugary, fatty foods or snacks which can have an effect on stress hormone levels.  Drink plenty of water or non-sugary drinks throughout the day as the brain needs plenty of hydration. Avoid alcohol during stressful times as it dehydrates the brain and affects our responses and emotions.
  5. Get plenty of exercise.  Regular physical activity makes our bodies more resilient, fitter and better able to cope with the physical effects of stress, it also helps the body produce feel good chemicals (endorphins) which can counteract stress.
  6. Learn to control your breathing with breathing exercises such as those taught in yoga classes.  We tend to hyperventilate when stressed which can reduce oxygen levels in the blood.  Slow, steady breathing relaxes the body and reduces stress levels.  Try breathing in deeply and slowly for a count of 7, pausing for a moment then breathing out for a count of 11. Repeat this a few times and you should automatically feel calmer.
  7. Practice relaxation, meditation or self hypnosis regularly – even when not feeling stressed.  Just 20 minutes a day of focused relaxation can be as restorative as a full night’s sleep and can help to insure you against the effects of stress.  If you’re not sure how best to relax, meditate or use self hypnosis,  join a class, read a ‘how to’ book or ask a hypnotherapist to teach you.
  8. Consult a hypnotherapist who can help you to manage your stress levels by teaching you relaxation techniques and helping you to address the causes of your stress.  A few sessions of hypnotherapy can teach you how to deal with stressful situations more calmly and confidently and to feel better about yourself, all of which will reduce your levels of stress.  Hypnotherapy works at the level of your subconscious mind to ‘re-program’ responses or habits that are not helping you and helps you to make changes to your daily life, it can be very effective as a tool for reducing stress.

Finally, don’t forget that stress also has positive effects, particularly when  it helps us to avoid danger.  It is also helpful when performing publicly, or playing sports as it can heighten awareness and make us more focused. But most of the time stress is unwanted and unhelpful, so learning to manage it can keep us healthier and happier!

 

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