Mind and Body, Each Affects the Other

In psychotherapy and hypnosis I often see the interplay of psychological and physiological symptoms. Clients with anxiety may report difficulty sleeping or neck, shoulder or back pain. Others may report headaches, irritable bowel, or increase in their asthma.

There are people that have emotional reactions due to physical conditions. Clients with such conditions as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, chronic pain or other conditions have complained about depression or anxiety as a result of their conditions. The clients' and family's reaction emotionally to physiological conditions is important to address. Thyroid problems, anemia and hormonal issues such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), low testosterone or PMS are among the many that can play havoc with emotions.

Often I will encourage someone to see their doctor to "rule out" medical conce
s. If there are symptoms that could be a panic attack, it is important to make sure that the person is not having something going on physically. It is important that any medical questions be resolved first, then treatment psychologically.

In treatment it is often important to provide education to clients in how mind and body effect each other. It can be helpful to know what issues and feelings heighten our anxiety and depression leading to more pain. We can then address those conce
s. By knowing that physical pain can effect us emotionally can make us sensitive to its subtle emotional effects.

Hypnosis can be beneficial for these issues, especially when combined with psychotherapy with a licensed and experienced clinician. The relaxation in hypnosis sessions I've conducted has been helpful in pain management, even when hypnotic techniques to reduce pain have not been initiated. As clients continue hypnosis their reduction in pain continues and improves. For those whose anxiety has increased symptoms there is often less exacerbation depending on the condition.

Hypnosis used to be considered alte
ative, and now is considered mainstream. Massage has also been more accepted and helps the mind/body to feel better. Whether the body feels better relaxing the mind, or vice versa, doesn't matter to this clinician, just that there is improvement.

There is a lot of good clinical information available. Medical conce
s should always be addressed first. Whether it be psychotherapy and/or hypnosis the clinician should have a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work or Psychology or Doctorate, or a Psychiatrist with an M.D. and be licensed. If they provide hypnosis they should be properly certified. It can make all the difference in the world.