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Hypnotherapy and refractory irritable bowel syndrome: a single case study
Tara E Galovski1, Edward B Blanchard
1State University of New York at Albany, USA.
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
|July 16, 2002
Summary
Hypnotherapy effectively treated a patient with long-term Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) after other treatments failed. The patient experienced sustained symptom improvement with hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are common conditions often requiring multifaceted treatment approaches.
- Refractory IBS cases present significant challenges, necessitating exploration of alternative therapeutic modalities.
- Previous psychological treatments, both traditional and non-traditional, had proven ineffective for the subject.
Observation:
- A single subject with a 30-year history of refractory IBS and concurrent GAD was treated with hypnotherapy.
- Hypnotherapy was administered for IBS symptoms, with the subject continuing with autohypnosis post-treatment.
- Significant improvements in IBS symptomatology and concurrent anxiety and depression levels were observed.
Findings:
- A 53% improvement in IBS symptoms was noted after 6 hypnotherapy sessions.
- Sustained improvement was observed at 6 months (70%) and 2 years (38%) follow-up.
- Concurrent reductions in depression and anxiety levels were reported.
Implications:
- Hypnotherapy presents a viable, palatable, and enduring treatment option for refractory IBS and comorbid anxiety disorders.
- This case highlights the potential of hypnotherapy as an adjunct or alternative therapy in managing chronic gastrointestinal and psychological conditions.
- Further research into hypnotherapy's efficacy for IBS and GAD is warranted.