Hypnotic alteration of body image in the eating disordered.

Abstract

A driving force in an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa has been a distorted body image. The psychobiological dynamics of eating disorders have demonstrated significant hypnotic phenomena such as forms of dissociation, hallucination, time distortion and catalepsy, and therefore, pose hypnosis as a good fit for particular parts of treatment. Presented here are four hypnotic approaches designed to inspire the establishment of a reality based body image in the eating disordered individual. Conditional prerequisites for application of these interventions are described and case examples illustrate each approach. A discussion on some of the rationale for formulating these strategies is offered.

• Authors: Bart J Walsh
• Journal: The American journal of clinical hypnosis (Am J Clin Hypn) Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pg. 301-10 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 0002-9157 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18524297 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anorexia Nervosa (psychology, therapy)
• Body Image
• Female
• Humans
• Hypnosis
• Somatoform Disorders (psychology, therapy)