HYPNOSIS SUCCESSFUL IN TREATING BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
I always believed hypnosis was contraindicated for bipolar. My colleagues were taught this.But in the last few years have met more and more hypnotherapist who successfully treated bi-polar clients.This amazed me when I first heard it.
A client rang me over a year ago looking for treatment for the symptoms of Bipolar Depression.He had tried everything.He had spent over 2ooo Euros over the years on top counsellors and psychiatrists.He couldn’t work, had no leibdo and was desperate to try something new. Was on a cocktail of Meds. Even though his quality of life was severely diminished, he didn’t suffer from any psychosis.Even when I talked about the risks of hypnosis triggering an psychotic episode, it didn’t deter him.We had very good rapport on the phone and chatted for nearly half hour.
But I still didn’t feel confident enough to treat him.So I referred him to my supervisor.
She treated him successfully over a number of sessions.He was helped by hypnotherapy, He was back in work part time and was off half the meds.This I thought was a great result.My supervisor advised me that I would have been well capable to treat him myself.
So early this year I got an email from a client would suffers from bipolar.He was off work and had been hospitalized twice because of his condition. So he wanted hypnosis to help him get through this without going back to hospital.He had tried a 6 week course of CBT but found it didn't really help him.Was also taking lithium, an antidepressant and two types of sleeping tablets.
He called his wife "The Watcher"meaning she was on the lookout for any mania.He had a supportive family by all aacounts.Even though he was financially stable.His business was going through restructuring.And dealing with the banks was causing him great worry.
I worked with his issues like any other client would had depression and worry management problems.
He responded really well to hypnosis and was a great hypnotic subject.His depression was stubborn and hard to treat at times.But every week got a little better.After 4th week he really seemed to turn a corner.His wife, family and doctor were all very pleased with his improvement.He is back in work running his business part time, his worrying has greatly reduced and is off half the sleeping tabs.
Off course Bipolar is on a spectrum.And he wasn't the worst case.But had been bad enough to be hospitalized in the past.I know see him every second week.Pretty soon his therapy will end.It was great to see someone coming so far in 5 weeks.At the last session he remember before starting hypnotherapy, standing in his back garden shaking from stress.Now he felt so much better and was getting his life back.And no hospital visit.
Hypnotherapy worked where CBT didn't, even with bipolar depression.I wonder how many hypnotherapists treat bipolar these days.Thats the point of my article.Is it common, is it rare?
This makes me feel more confident in treating this issue in the future.Of course great care has to be taken.If you feel the client is prone to Psychosis, still maybe contraindicated.Or treat in close conjunction with clients psychiatrist/Gp.I think with propper care and supervision Hypnosis can help some people suffering from Bipolar.Especially with clients how have tried everything else.Once the risks to client and therapist have been taken into consideration.
