Rapid Remission of Anorexia Nervosa and Unconscious Communication

Abstract

An alternate framework for thinking about anorexia treatment is presented with a treatment approach that results in prompt remission of anorexia symptoms. Prior treatment of eating disorders using hypnosis is reviewed. A case example illustrating the method is followed by a discussion. The process is described for teaching clients how to nullify the anorexia symptom complex when it is reactivated.

Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders

“…Other clinical evidence suggesting a benefit for hypnosis has been supported in a series of case presentations and hypnosis approaches to ED conditions including AN (Walsh, 2010), BN (Túry et al, 2011;Walsh, 2010), BED (Anbar & Savedoff, 2005), and distorted body image (Walsh, 2008).…”

“…A recent systemic review of the use of acupuncture in cocaine dependence identified a total of seven RCTs involving a total of 1,433 subjects. hypnosis in BN is characterized by a small number of clinical studies, mostly case and anecdotal reports, and narrative reviews discussing methodological issues including the capacity of individuals to respond to hypnosis and different clinical approaches to the use of hypnosis (Anbar & Savedoff, 2005;Barabasz, 2007Barabasz, , 2012Hutchinson-Phillips, Gow, & Jamieson, 2007;Mantle, 2003;Torem, 1992;Túry et al, 2011;Walsh, 2008Walsh, , 2010. Outcome measures included cocaine use, measured either biochemically or by self-report, cocaine craving, severity of dependence, and treatment dropout.…”

“…Hypnosis has been used in the treatment of individuals with SUD, AN, BN, BED, and distorted body image (Anbar & Savedoff, 2005;Barabasz, 2007;Mantle, 2003;Túry, Wildmann, & Szentes, 2011;Walsh, 2008Walsh, , 2010. It has, however, been noted that severely ill AN sufferers may have issues with cognitive processing due to malnutrition and that hypnosis may not be appropriate for these individuals (Mantle, 2003).…”