I am curious if anyone out there has ever tried hypnosis as a way to control his or her ad/hd? Can the subconscious make the brain produce the chemicals needed to alleviate ad/hd symptoms? Can the subconscious motivate an individual to focus and concentrate more? Can the subconsicous make an individual slow down? Just curious...

The short answer would be 'No."

Hypnosis couldn't impact ADHD.

I've been trained in hypnosis but haven't used a formal induction technique in quite a while, as my practice is 90-95% ADHD kids.

I do use guided imagery in concert with a deep muscle relaxation training technique + thought stopping, however, not with hyperactive kids too often, as they often have difficulty with closing their eyes, etc.

At the same time, I have seen research presented indicating karate and (English) horseback riding as being good for ADHD kids.

The martial atrs article was in a past issue of CHADD's magazine Attention.

It's an intriguing question and I'm glad you asked it.

I always wondered if someone with AD/HD could be put under hypnosis.

I always wondered if someone with AD/HD could be put under hypnosis. I am a distracted type, I am really easy to hypnotize.:faint: Now it I can just remember the suggestions.;)

I didn't say that people with ADHD couldn't be hypnotized.

What I said was that hypnosis wouldn't work as a clinical treatment for ADHD.

Yes mctavish I understood what you said.
I was just wondering out loud about a thought I've had.

NP:)

Actually, people go into "trances" all the time. A good example would be when you're driving and suddenly you find yourself somewhere down the road wihtout realizing it.

English Horseback riding helps hyperactivity -- I'd love to read that article. I've never heard of that but I got a horse and started English riding lessons around the time my grades started improving! Who knew!:D Now that's a treatment my daughter could really get into!


Scattered

Receptiveness to hypnosis has been correlated with creativity & fantasy behavior and begs an interesting question that came up in talking with a friend and fellow psych grad student.

It occurred to me that this friend, another friend we suspect as ADD, and I are all highly receptive to hypnosis relative to the average subject. It made me wonder if this is a trait shared by ADDers. Anyone know of any data on this?

If ADDers turn out to be more receptive, I'm wondering if meditation might be beneficial or even harmful. Any opinions?

During my undergrad when I struggled with "procrastination" I bought a book on procrastination and also at some point a book on self hypnosis.

I remember making a self-hypnosis tape. I would put it in the tape player and listen to it in bed before I went to sleep. I remember feeling like school was easier and that things seemed to come together better that semester. I was taking statistics as part of the core for our major, and we were all anxious about it since we were a social science. But I ended up with an "A". So since then I've thought about doing self-hypnosis again to see if would help with whatever I might be wrestling with or trying to change. But I haven't done it since.

I can't find the original book I had. I graduated in 1992 and the only hypnosis book I have on my shelf is copyright 1996, so I don't know where the one I might have had went, or what it's title would have been. Actually, since this is a 3rd edition, I might have had the same book. It's called "Hypnosis for Change", Third Edition by Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher.

This one has a basic induction script and then lists different "scripts" that you can add on and modify based on your situation and issue you want to work on including:

stress reduction, treating phobias, health problems, improving self-esteem and motivation, improving learning experiences, ehnhancing creativity, sleep, anxiety and panic, and overcoming depression.

~~bythesea

I can only speak from the standpoint of treating children and adolescents.

The main reason that hypnosis wouldn't work for treating ADHD is the same as why individual psychotherapies like Cognitive-Behavioral therapy don't work either; which is Executive Function deficits (such as self-regulation and working memory).

I can only speak from the standpoint of treating children and adolescents.

The main reason that hypnosis wouldn't work for treating ADHD is the same as why individual psychotherapies like Cognitive-Behavioral therapy don't work either; which is Executive Function deficits (such as self-regulation and working memory).
I was under the impression that it wouldn't work for the reason that it doesn't work for addiction -- post-hypnotic suggestions rarely work. Is it that post-hypnotic suggestions especially don't work in ADDers because of executive function deficits, or the hypnosis itself doesn't work well because of them?

Is cognitive-behavioral therapy ineffective for ADD? I haven't really looked into this, because I don't think my son needs it; he's developed some amazing coping skills on his own. But I was under the impression it was as effective with ADD as it is will other disorders.

It doesn't work (in kids at least) due to the negative impact of EF deficits.

For example, (Nonverbal) Working Memory has to do with holding information in mind for the the purpose of task completion.

By "poor self-regualtion," I was referring to Delayed Internalization of Speech (limited verbal working memory),as well as (impaired) Reconstituion.

Here's what Barkley says about that on pages 70-71 of Chapter 2 in the TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD DISORDERS (Second Edition), which he edited along with Eric J.Marsh:

"But this form (CBT ) of treatment has been recently challenged as being seriously flawed from the conceptual (Vygotskian ) point of view on which the treatment was initially founded (Diaz & Berk, 1995)."

He goes on to say, " For one thing, the model (Skills Training,which is what Children's Day Treatment is now being called) implies that the acquisition of skills is not likely to prove particularly useful in the treatment of ADHD, given that the primary problem lies more in the realm of performance than knowledge (ADHD is a Disorder of Performance and not Perception. We know what to do, we just can't do it)."

"Cognitive-behavioral treatment is predominantly a skills training program and does little to address the performance problems of those with the disorder."

There's more but that's the general idea.

He says the same thing for Social Skills training, and points out the research for using it with ADHD children has been "quite discouraging."

When you get a chance, please check out the term "point of performance" (Goldstein & Ingersoll, 1993).

It referes to the need to reinforce the desired behavior at "the point of performance," or where it actually occurred.

That's why any learning that takes place in an office setting won't transfer out the door.

Hope that helps some.
Thanks for the question.

It doesn't work (in kids at least) due to the negative impact of EF deficits.
...
He says the same thing for Social Skills training, and points out the research for using it with ADHD children has been "quite discouraging."

When you get a chance, please check out the term "point of performance" (Goldstein & Ingersoll, 1993).

Well, I can't say I'm surprised.

I've ordered one of Barkley's books and have Brown's book. I'll hit those as soon as I'm done with qualifiers. Thanks!!!

What about not using it for treatment of the ADHD itself, but as general therapy in adults? Obviously hypnosis isn't going to cure ADHD, but can it be used, say, to relieve some of their symptoms? For example, could hypnosis be used to help me focus on my studies or establish personal priorities?

Hahaha I just want to get through postgraduate school!

On a superficial level I will try to give you my opinion on hypnosis and ADD. For one, I am starting to believe that ADD in itself is a negative induction(I know i'll get flamed for saying that) Not to get too deep into the subject but there is a serious semantic problem with the relation between the word and meaning of ADD.

But I can tell you from experience when I was a child and before I was diagnosed with ADD in the 3rd grade, I used to read books on paleontology and anatomy. Also I used to really be excited about learning but, it just seemed that everything went downhill for me after my diagnosis. I was treated as if I had some "disability" and so my confidence went down as a result, I became lazy because I was told that ADD children cant focus and have trouble learning....so what happend??? I fullfilled my own destiny.

So, I develop self pity and guilt like what quite a few of the people here seem to suffer from more than ADD...self pity. So anyways not to ramble off topic. I have started learning about hypnosis from Gerald Kein and Major Mark and others in the field and all I can tell you is that hypnosis works. It has really started help me put situations in perspective and to be more aware of my surrounding and also hypnosis has helped me to "undo" the negative programming that came from the day when I was diagnosed as a child.


I understand that hypnosis might mean and have different results on the individual, but its been working for me and please PM me if you have any other questions or comments that you would like to address.

"For one, I am starting to believe that ADD in itself is a negative induction(I know i'll get flamed for saying that)" Yes, I do agree with you 100%.


Favourable positives planted in the mind influence even the body chemistry. They help undoing imbalancement and maintaining optimum and balance.

regards

For one, I am starting to believe that ADD in itself is a negative induction(I know i'll get flamed for saying that)" Yes, I do agree with you 100%.

Okay Jogesh are you saying that the diagnosis of ADD holds such a negative “reputation” that when ever any one is diagnosis the ADD they would automatically focus on the negative and there fore throw their chemistry off balance thus producing more negative behaviors than what would be other wise natural to the individual had the diagnosis not been made?

I agree with your perspective more than you may realize, Although I see the connection a lot differently; I do agree with your final conclusion. Negative thought begets negative behavior. I do not see why any one would flame you for that observation.

Okay Jogesh are you saying that the diagnosis of ADD holds such a negative “reputation” that when ever any one is diagnosis the ADD they would automatically focus on the negative and there fore throw their chemistry off balance thus producing more negative behaviors than what would be other wise natural to the individual had the diagnosis not been made?

I agree with your perspective more than you may realize, Although I see the connection a lot differently; I do agree with your final conclusion. Negative thought begets negative behavior. I do not see why any one would flame you for that observation.Thank you meadd and I am surprised that the world changes so fast.

Favourable positives planted in the mind influence even the body chemistry. They help undoing imbalancement and maintaining optimum and balance.

I agree with this, however some times having two dozen things rushing through your mind can distract one to the point of lacking “reflection” which is required to look upon past negative impacts in a new more balanced light. A hyperactive mind is often “trapped” by the present so to speak

NP:)

Actually, people go into "trances" all the time. A good example would be when you're driving and suddenly you find yourself somewhere down the road wihtout realizing it.
OMG that happens all the time especially when reading books and the like

Perhaps this will help Jogeshwar ... ... ...

Evolutionary Avatars (http://www.answers.com/topic/patrizia-norelli-bachelet)
PNB's teachings on avatarhood draw a distinction between spiritual teachers who are frequently considered 'avatars' and the specific ten manifestations of Vishnu (see The Ten Avatars of Vishnu, or Dasavatara).
She refers to the Hindu Line of Ten Avatars as ‘Evolutionary' Avatars, because both she and Sri Aurobindo saw the Line of Ten as figures in a "parable of evolution".
PNB's contends that Sri Aurobindo, rather than Guatama the Buddha, was the 9th Evolutionary Avatar in the Hindu Line of Ten, and that 13 years after leaving his body, he reincarnated as the 10th of the Line.
In her teachings, PNB refers to this Evolutionary ‘Line' of Avatars as the ‘Solar Line' and writes that Sri Aurobindo's emergence as an Evolutionary Avatar is ‘Triadic' in nature, involving himself as the Transcendent Divine, the Mother as the Cosmic Divine, PNB as the Individual Divine and the reincarnation of Sri Aurobindo as the fourth component - the One at the center of a ‘Divine Trinity'.
PNB's position on ‘Evolutionary Avatars' is discussed fully in her publication, ‘The Vishaal Newsletters'(1985-1996), but especially in her major opus, component - the The New Way, Volumes 1, 2 & 3.

.....3
4...o..13(1')

SB.

Thanks for having me in there SB; I am always rooted after all.

Yes Jogeshwar, I have had hypnosis and it did exactly nothing for my ADHD :rolleyes:. I do meditate; that helps my focus. Lots of things help me function in a society that expects things of me that do not come naturally to me.

Case in point: gender role typing. I was raised to eschew that tradition, yet it persists in many cultures. I choose to ignore it for the most part. This makes many people angry, yet makes my soul at peace.

I am the type of person who says I am ADHD (and I know that's improper grammar, but it is not my fault my difference is seen as a disorder--perhaps someday that will change and my grammar will be correct). I do not HAVE ADHD. I did not acquire it; I was born this way. I am not broken; I do not wish to be fixed. I am not ill; I do not wish to be cured.

"Imagine for a moment that everything you see, everything you touch, your mind races to correlate it with every other thing you have seen or touched that day. Imagine that everything is a distraction, because your mind won't stop trying to link everything together."

"Now imagine your wife tells you to take out the trash, you say OK but as the words come out of her mouth, you're thinking not just about trash, but about land fills and how bad it is for the environment, and you see a Styrofoam cup and wonder if they can really recycle it so that its safe again for the environment. Then you remember an article you read about cups and how many are thrown away. You recall that while reading that article your friend had come by to say 'Hi!' You think to yourself that you haven't seen or heard from that friend in a long while. You should give him/her a call and see how they are. So you reach over to the phone, call the friend and talk for an hour. After you're done, the trash truck has already come by. Your wife asks why you didn't take out the trash in time..."

"THAT'S ADHD!"

Now if you can imagine that or live like that? Perhaps some of your discourse would meet me on my turf or on SB's rock. Kamal would say this was a sign of my evolved soul...do you agree with that, my friend?

Regards.

{yes cf}
... very much so ...

sb.

That's pretty much what I thought you would say SB :cool:.

cf (4)

Okay. agreed, it does nothing for ADHD. However... it did help me tremendously with negative thinking, and changing behaviors that were not getting me what I wanted in life. I mean, I'm still needing Adderall; but the hypnosis made a huge, empowering difference in my life. It doesn't cure ADD. It does have the potential to give you tools to improve your life, though. I recommend it highly; if one person isn't giving you results, don't assume it's not going to work. it's worth a couple few tries. Really.

It is necessary to arrest acute conditions through medication but I do not think it is wise to be dependant on it.
regards

Okay. agreed, it does nothing for ADHD. However... it did help me tremendously with negative thinking, and changing behaviors that were not getting me what I wanted in life. I mean, I'm still needing Adderall; but the hypnosis made a huge, empowering difference in my life. It doesn't cure ADD. It does have the potential to give you tools to improve your life, though. I recommend it highly; if one person isn't giving you results, don't assume it's not going to work. it's worth a couple few tries. Really.True dat, i know all about that depression ****, alot of people in my family has that and anxiety, add, hdhd, and my uncle had/has epilepsy he doesnt talk about it much all i know is i havent seen him have a seizure anytime recently, but i really dont see him taht much though... i don't know if this counts but my dad was an alcoholic so i got his addictive personality. I dont have alot of ambition though, iv come to point where id give up trying to help it and just get the easiest job that i wont screw up at and w e. Normaly id be upset and **** about it and still would do that but the SSRI i take blocks the bad feelings i get about my bad decisions. I know theres a lot of stronger people here than me but i have no problem depending on medication i want to live a fun life, and so far i havent accomplished anything. The hardest thing i did was play a season for my schools football team when i was a freshmen, o i do go to work but i hate it. I know its not wise to be on a medication, especially like an amphetamine. But i figure i smoke, so im sure ill get lung cancer before i get a heart attack. (im not on the AD's right now or my zoloft, im always boring when im like this cuz i just give up.

My quotes ironic lol

"dont beleive in hypnosis at all" Vicodenamphet


After all is not that belief alone counts every thing?
regards