Hypnosis and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Angel O’Neal
COM/156
July 7, 2013
Curtis Gold

Do you or someone you know suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? There are many, including myself who battles daily with this horrific anxiety disorder. Post –Traumatic Stress Disorder hits home and I have had daily battles with this disorder for many years. In February 1993, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and never thought the unimaginable would happen. When Brittani was six months old she started having severe developmental delays and also began having seizures that became uncontrollable. By the time Brittani was two years old, it was noticeable that something was definitely wrong but the diagnosis was something that was extremely hard to obtain. At the young age of 19, what I was experiencing with daily battles was just the beginning of a lifetime filled with nightmares, depression, flashbacks and severe panic attacks. The reality of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder came in October 1996 when Brittani was diagnosed with a fatal brain disease called Batten Disease. I was overcome by sadness, instantly. Having to think about losing a child is hard but when you are a child yourself, it is even harder. Almost one month to the day of receiving the news of her terminal illness, Brittani passed away and life became a daily struggle for me. I have had numerous Doctor’s tell me that a lifetime of medication would be the only way to cope. However, despite all of my struggles I have learned that medication is not always the answer. Just because someone suffers does not mean their lives are destroyed nor does it mean the only available treatment is medication. Hypnotic therapy may be the route for those who are affected and worry about potential side effects from medications or even chemical dependency. With the right treatment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be managed because research shows that hypnosis is effective treatment for PTSD and medication is not always needed.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also known as PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder that many people develop after experiencing a traumatic event in their lifetime. The signs and symptoms of this disorder can be anything from memory problems, flashbacks, bad dreams or even a feeling of becoming emotionally numb. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is very serious and for those who have any symptoms that last longer than one month should seek care from a heath care professional according to (mayoclinic.com.)
At one time, many people believed that only veterans of war were the only ones diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, it is now known that people of all ages can develop this serious disorder. Although there is no known way for health care professionals to know exactly who will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the experience of a traumatic event, there are several factors that may make someone more prone to developing it. Something as simple as a close relative that suffers from depression can play a lead role in someone being diagnosed.
Research shows that hypnosis also known as suggestive therapy has a very high success rate with those who are affected from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Those who are affected have memories and emotions that are stored in their subconscious. Hypnosis works by the power of suggestion and should only be performed by a professional Psychiatrist or Hypnotist. Scientist believe that when someone is under hypnosis, their “state of consciousness is altered in hypnosis so that the left side of the brain” which is “responsible for analysis, judgment, and synthesis is shut down, and the right side of the brain - the non - analytical side – is made to be more attentive.”(www.altmd.com How Does Hypnosis Work, June 16, 2013.) At that point, the individual’s subconscious is reprogrammed and that persons feelings of anxiety are removed. “The American Medical Association has officially recognized hypnosis