| Hypnosis for children to resolve or address some | | | | could be either beneficial or detrimental in the |
| issues or problems regarding behaviour or health is | | | | hypnosis process. That is why different |
| called hypnotherapy. In hypnotherapy, children | | | | approaches should be used based on different age |
| use their daydreams to change their behaviours, | | | | and characteristics. |
| sensations and other symptoms. Not everybody | | | | Hypnotherapy can also be done by parents to |
| can be a hypnotherapist. A trained health and | | | | their children. Experts say that children with ages |
| psychiatric profession is needed to put children, | | | | seven to eight are in the hypnotic state most of |
| also adults, into hypnosis. | | | | the time even when there is no hypnotist |
| Hypnotherapy or using hypnosis for treatments | | | | around. On these ages, children take in |
| used to be unthinkable. Most people and patients | | | | suggestion very seriously. Parents who tend not |
| alike, tend to think that hypnotherapists would | | | | to be too sensitive with what they say to their |
| require their patient to walk, cluck like chickens | | | | children may say some remarks which can be |
| when hypnotized. One major disadvantage of | | | | both hurtful and have some effect on their |
| this treatment, is the lack of support it has | | | | self-esteem. |
| endured as an alternative treatment. | | | | This is why children who are undergoing |
| But currently, things are starting to shape up for | | | | hypnotherapy tends to be sensitive to what is |
| hypnotic treatment. There are medical groups | | | | around them remember that hypnotherapy and |
| who are starting to recognize the potential of | | | | its positive effects can be turned into rubble when |
| hypnotherapy in treating illnesses and dealing with | | | | negative energy surrounds the child. Parents |
| disorders. | | | | should be sensitive with what they say and |
| In 1958, the American Medical Association, already | | | | suggest to their children. |
| recognized hypnosis as a form of treatment. | | | | Sometimes a hypnotherapist may forget to |
| The American Psychological Association has | | | | remove the suggestions of the hypnotic |
| acknowledged hypnosis as treatment years ago. | | | | sessions. If a child is undergoing therapy for pain |
| The National Institute of Health expressed it | | | | management, this could pose a problem. When |
| support for hypnotherapy as a method of | | | | under these kind of treatment, children may run |
| relieving pain for cancer patients in 1995. | | | | into accidents or serious problem which may |
| But still regardless of the medical endorsements, | | | | cause serious injury and not get any proper |
| there is still a prevailing outlook that hypnosis as a | | | | treatment. It is important for parents to take |
| treatment is negative and images of funny people | | | | note of these when sessions for hypnosis of |
| on hypnotic state conjures up to our mind. | | | | children is done. |
| Another disadvantage of hypnotherapy is that | | | | It is important to remember that these |
| there are children or people who cannot be | | | | disadvantages of using hypnosis for children is |
| hypnotized at all. Children who show psychotic | | | | more of a social prejudice. There are some |
| symptoms are not compatible with hypnotic | | | | people who regard hypnosis as control or |
| treatment. While children or teen-agers using | | | | manipulation of one’s mind and body which is |
| drugs or alcohol also prove to be poor hypnotic | | | | completely untrue. Hypnotherapy when properly |
| patients. | | | | done could render positive and massive results. |
| Hypnotherapy is best recommended for children | | | | Most of our fear about hypnotherapy is rooted |
| ages 5 and above. Children, unlike adults, are | | | | on how it was viewed in the past, which is mostly |
| more in touch with their imaginative side. This | | | | myths. |