Types of Mental Health Care Practitioners in Malaysia

Types of Mental Health Care Practitioners in Malaysia

Psychiatry, psychology, hypnotherapy, counseling and coaching are overlapping professions. Practitioners -- psychiatrists, counselors, hypnotherapists, psychologists and coaches -- are mental health care professionals. Their area of expertise is the mind -- and the way it affects behavior and well-being. They often work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illness. And they are committed to helping people stay mentally well. But there are differences between psychiatry, psychology, hypnotherapy, coaching and counseling. And people sometimes find those differences confusing, especially when they are looking for help. The largest difference between the types of professionals is usually what they focus or specialize in, licensure requirements and their educational background.

The key to choosing which one of these professionals is right for you is to determine what kinds of things are important to you and finding a professional that seems to fit with your needs and personality. Feel free to email me ([email protected]) for more info.





1)Hypnotherapist
Professional governing body in Malaysia: The Association of Hypnotherapy Practitioners, Malaysia (AHPM)-AHPM is a member of The Federation of Complementary and Natural Medical Associations, Malaysia (FCNMAM). FCNMAM is a body recognized by the Department of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia. 
Expertise: practice hypnotherapy and may practice psychotherapy but cannot do physical examinations, cannot prescribe drugs

2)Counselor
Professional governing body in Malaysia: Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia-The Counselors’ Act 1998 sets the minimum competence level for the credentialing of a professional counselor in Malaysia. Only a person who is licensed to practice counseling under this Act is allowed to represent himself or herself as a counselor in the country.
Expertise: practice counseling and psychotherapy but cannot do physical examinations, cannot prescribe drugs





3)Clinical Psychologist
professional governing body in Malaysia: Allied Health Malaysia-The Allied Health Professions Bill 2015 was tabled for the first reading by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam at the Dewan Rakyat. The Bill seeks to set up the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council to register persons practising in the allied health industry which include clinical psychologist.
Expertise: practice psychotherapy but cannot do physical examinations, cannot prescribe drugs

4) Psychiatrist 
Professional governing body in Malaysia: Malaysian Medical Council-Psychiatrist need to apply for a Malaysian Medical License at the Malaysian Medical Council.
Expertise: able to diagnose and prescribe drugs, may practice psychotherapy, use electroconvulsive therapy, and admit people to the hospital.






5) Coach
professional governing body in Malaysia: None
Expertise: practice life, business, wellness or corporate coaching but cannot do physical examinations, cannot prescribe drugs

6) Neurotherapist
Professional governing body in Malaysia: None
Expertise: practice neurotherapy/EEG biofeedback/neurofeedback technique. It is a safe, non-invasive, alternative treatment option that relies on EEG biofeedback machine to monitor and visualize brain activity, and is used to help a variety of psychological and medical problems. But cannot do physical examinations, cannot prescribe drugs.


What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy -- uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness that is sometimes called a trance. 
The person's attention is so focused while in this state that anything going on around the person is temporarily blocked out or ignored. In this naturally occurring state, 
a person may focus his or her attention -- with the help of a trained therapist -- on specific thoughts or tasks. 
Hypnotherapy can be used in two ways, as suggestion therapy or for patient analysis.

1)Suggestion therapy: The hypnotic state makes the person better able to respond to suggestions. 
Therefore, hypnotherapy can help some people change certain behaviors, such as stopping smoking or nail biting. 
It can also help people change perceptions and sensations, and is particularly useful in treating pain.
2)Analysis: This approach uses the relaxed state to explore a possible psychological root cause of a disorder or symptom, 
such as a traumatic past event that a person has hidden in his or her unconscious memory. 
Once the trauma is revealed, it can be addressed in psychotherapy.
The hypnotic state allows a person to be more open to discussion and suggestion. 
It can improve the success of other treatments for many conditions, including:
-Phobias, fears, and anxiety
-Sleep disorders
-Depression
-Stress
-Post-trauma anxiety
-Grief and loss
Hypnotherapy also might be used to help with pain control and to overcome habits, such as smoking or overeating. 
It also might be helpful for people whose symptoms are severe or who need crisis management. 


What is Counseling?
Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing. Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health. How long does counseling take? Ideally, counseling is terminated when the problem that you pursued counseling for becomes more manageable or is resolved. '


What is psychotherapy?
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the field of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, works on the assumption that the cure for a person's suffering lies within that person and that this cure can be facilitated through a trusting, supportive relationship with a psychotherapist. By creating an empathetic and accepting atmosphere, the therapist often is able to help the person identify the source of the problems and consider alternatives for dealing with them. The emotional awareness and insight that the person gains through psychotherapy often results in a change in attitude and behavior that allows the person to live a fuller and more satisfying life.

Psychotherapy is appropriate in a wide range of conditions. Even people who do not have a mental health disorder may find psychotherapy helpful in coping with such problems as employment difficulties, bereavement, or chronic illness in the family. Group psychotherapy, couples therapy, and family therapy are also widely used.

Most mental health practitioners practice one of six types of psychotherapy: supportive psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy.


What is coaching?
International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today's uncertain and complex environment. To determine whether you or your company could benefit from coaching, start by summarizing what you would expect to accomplish in coaching. When an individual or business has a fairly clear idea of the desired outcome, a coaching partnership can be a useful tool for developing a strategy for how to achieve that outcome with greater ease. Since coaching is a partnership, ask yourself whether collaboration, other viewpoints, and new perspectives are valued. Also, ask yourself whether you or your business is ready to devote the time and the energy to making real changes. If the answer is yes, then coaching may be a beneficial way to grow and develop.


What is EEG biofeedback/neurofeedback/neurotherapy?
EEG biofeedback is a painless and drug-free way of helping an injured brain or impaired brain function return to a healthy state. It helps the brain to do a better job of regulating itself and the body. It is biofeedback for the brain and the body. EEG biofeedback is a method used to train brain activity in order to normalize Brain function. 
The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a measure of brain waves. Like other computers, the brain gives off tiny impulses that appear as electrical waves. The raw EEG can be separated into waves that vibrate at different rates or frequencies; beta (fastest) to alpha, theta, and delta (slowest). Brainwaves should be faster at front, slower at back; faster at left and slower at right. A “backwards brain” (slow at front and left, fast at back and right) tends to be poor in focus and attention, depressed or anxious. Brainwave slowing suggests brain injury and impairs normal brain function.






Source:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental_health_disorders/overview_of_mental_health_care/treatment_of_mental_illness.html
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-hypnotherapy
http://www.counseling.org/aca-community/learn-about-counseling/what-is-counseling/overview
http://psychcentral.com/
http://www.webmd.com/
https://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/coaching/
http://coachfederation.org/need/landing.cfm?ItemNumber=978

World Autism Awareness Day 世界自闭症觉醒日 2015

"World Autism Awareness Day is about more than generating understanding; it is a call to action. I urge all concerned to take part in fostering progress by supporting education programmes, employment opportunities and other measures that help realize our shared vision of a more inclusive world."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the World Autism Awareness Day 2014

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life. The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and it has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies.

Throughout its history, the United Nations family has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities. In 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force, reaffirming the fundamental principle of universal human rights for all.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives.

今日四月二日是世界自閉症覺醒日，你“藍”了嗎？
　聯合國基于全球自閉症的數據一直上升，為此于2008年開始將每年4月2日訂為世界自閉症覺醒日，藍色則是自閉症的代表顏色，為此，在這一天，育有自閉兒的家長都會特別穿上藍色的衣服，或是別上藍色的緞帶，提醒大家關注此症。
　許多人對自閉症是既熟悉又陌生，由于數據越來越高，這症已成為了極為普遍的病症，一個家庭即使沒有這樣的孩子，也會聽聞親友的孩子有這樣的問題。
　美國的數據顯示，50名孩童有1人是自閉症；中國已確定超過160萬人患有自閉症。大馬沒有正式的統計數字，但在小學的啟智班，自閉兒是所有學習障礙類別中，比率最高的。
　這些孩子一般有學習障礙，另外也伴隨許多奇奇怪怪的動作、言語，又過動、天真、不懂禮節、不會掩飾，也因為語言障礙，表達能力差，難交到朋友，也難以讓人理解，盡管學習成績還好，卻依然難以被學生及師長接受。
　這類孩子的挑戰最大的，其實是社會對他們的接受度低。許多家長最擔心的就是孩子離開學校后的謀生問題。不少家長費盡心思，努力訓練孩子掌握最基本的技能，然而這些孩子依然面對許多挑戰，他們就如外星來的孩子，怎樣也無法融入地球的生活；他們長不大的心靈，也永遠搞不懂複雜的人際關係及種種利害關閉，也因為如此，許多父母都很擔心自己比孩子先一步離開這個世界，因為孩子的下場可能非常可憐。
　然而，這類群人已越來越多，他們也有權融入社會，過著自己想要的生活。為此，社會對這些孩子越瞭解、越包容，並在適時的情況下給予幫助，這不但幫助到這些孩子，也能減少這些孩子對社會帶來的負擔。
　如果你願意更瞭解這些孩子，請在這一天穿上藍色衣服，上網或通過書籍查詢有關自閉症的訊息，並在他們有需要的時候，請別只是斥責他，而是試著瞭解他、幫助他。

How newmindcentre.com can help you?

Neurotherapy is essentially a way of teaching a child how to self-regulate their own brainwaves. Reports from caregivers of people with autism suggest people have witnessed improvements in a variety of areas including speech and irritability. A few scientific reports have highlighted that a demonstrated increase in social interaction may be seen in child with autism following neurotherapy treatment. One study suggested that parents who noticed an improvement continued to see the benefits for at least a year after neurotherapy. In November 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics approved biofeedback and neurotherapy as a Level 1 or “best support” treatment option for children suffering from ADHD. Interestingly, we know that many children with autism may also have these symptoms similar with ADHD. It has been suggested that 1 in 3 children with autism may also have ADHD.  

FYI, I am a certified neurotherapist too. Contact me for more information. 

用科技智慧EEG biofeedback，幫你改善自律神经失调

身体不适，却找不到病因？或许是自律神经失调！
自律神經系統由調節生理機能的交感神經系統、副交感神經系統組成，它們是兩股互相協調制衡的力量。交感神經系統會在面臨壓力或緊急狀況時啟動，協助做出「戰鬥或逃跑」的反應，例如心跳加速、肌肉收縮；而副交感神經系統則負責使心跳變慢、肌肉放鬆等，好讓我們能「休息和消化」。當太多、太久的壓力讓交感神經一直處在激活狀態時，就會讓自律神經系統失衡；好在，我們可以藉由某些訓練穩定神經系統，像是自我催眠疗法和脑波反馈生理回饋法等等。

在現在這個高科技的時代，還可以透過聰明的電子儀器，協助自己探索、嘗試控制生理狀態，找出讓自律神經系統回復穩定平衡的方法。

在国外，這個有許多醫師、心理治疗師會使用的身心症狀治療法叫做「生理回饋(biofeedback) 」。而Newmindcentre.com这里主要是透过大脑EEG脑电波来提供生理回馈。

EEG biofeedback therapy这非侵入性，安全，无痛，无副作用和非常科学的自然疗法已经可以在马来西亚newmindcentre.com我们这里找到。

马来西亚Newmindcentre.com的催眠治疗师，透過EEG biofeedback脑波生理回馈仪將脑电波生理訊息正確回饋，就能引導你在嘗試錯誤中學習控制大脑脑电波，身體與情緒狀態。例如，將Electrode（貼於大脑某部分、監控脑电波状态，然後告訴使用者：音乐停顿代表緊張程度增加、而音乐顺畅则代表緊張程度減少而且放松，請試著讓音乐越播越顺畅。即使不確定該怎麼做，但很多人能摸索、找出让音乐顺畅的做法，因而舒緩了緊繃的情绪和肌肉。生理回饋治療經常應用在偏頭痛、經前症候群的處理，以及學習降低血壓、克服失眠、控制焦慮、緩解疼痛等。

回想一下，小時候是如何學習綁鞋帶、騎腳踏車的?你可能在多次嘗試中，發現了該如何完成這些動作技巧，然後懂得重複、就學會了。

如今你想要學習掌控放鬆的感覺，可以藉著生理回饋儀器訊息的輔助，告訴你大脑脑电波的放鬆指標訊息，讓你知道自己找到放鬆的方向、做對了，那麼，你就可以重複練習創造同樣的感覺，逐漸精熟放鬆的技巧。當然，除了直接以生理回饋儀引導摸索出穩定神經系統的方法，亦可讓儀器提供呼吸/肌肉放鬆練習、脑波反馈自我催眠法(Neuro-hypnotherapy)練習等效果的客觀確認；大部分人就喜歡眼見為憑、有數據有真相吧！

看了以上這些介紹，會不會讓你很想試試以人工智慧小幫手協助自己發揮身體控制能力、改善自律神經失調、增加抗壓性呢？在马来西亚，受过EEG biofeedback专业训练和拥有丰富临床经验的人非常少有；若有興趣，欢迎email我询问详情：[email protected]

马来西亚催眠治疗-失眠多梦的治疗方法

催眠疗法对健康确实有效 可改善深度睡眠
國際線上專稿：據美國《赫芬頓郵報》報道，雖然聽上去難以置信，但是催眠確實能對保護和促進健康起到現實的作用。

美國心理協會（the American Psychological Association）指出，這裡說的催眠和在影視劇中看到的那種念叨著“此刻，你感覺非常困……”的催眠不同，它是與其他治療方法相結合的一種臨床應用。APA網站指出，為健康而進行的催眠“只能由經過培訓的、具備相應資格的醫護人員在自己的專業範圍內工作時使用”。

　　美國臨床催眠學會（the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis）認為，催眠所帶來的“內在吸收、集中專注”的狀態，可以讓我們的心靈更強大，由此還激發了各個領域的研究人員和臨床醫生去探索如何利用催眠所帶來的健康結果。

　　醫療上的催眠，有時也被稱為催眠療法，是利用詞語的重復或心理意象（由催眠師或自己進行）誘導產生一種注意力集中的“恍惚狀態”。 梅奧診所（Mayo Clinic）指出，這種狀態通常被描述為感覺平靜和放鬆，能夠感受到暗示的力量。

　　雖然曾經一度被認為是騙人的小把戲，但催眠對健康的作用越來越為人所相信。1958年，美國醫學協會（The American Medical Association）認可了催眠療法。事實上，催眠對某些健康方面的作用還需要更多的研究來證明，如減肥或戒煙。但在另外一些領域的研究中，發現催眠對健康確實有效果：

　　催眠可以幫助改善深度睡眠

　　在以往的研究中，研究參與者只會被問到在接受催眠之後覺得自己睡得有多好或有多糟。但在最近的一項研究中，瑞士的研究人員通過對一群健康的年輕女性的大腦活動進行檢測，來測量催眠的影響。這些年輕女性在聽完催眠暗示後睡了90分鐘，其中對催眠最為敏感的女性有80%的時間處於深度睡眠。首席研究員、蘇黎世大學的Maren Cordi在一份聲明中說，“這個結果對有睡眠問題的患者和老年人有很大作用。”和許多睡眠誘導類藥物不同，催眠沒有不良的副作用。

　　催眠可以緩解腸易激綜合症IBS症狀

　　APA 報道，2003年一項研究中，204位腸易激綜合症（IBS）患者中，71%的人在經過12周的催眠課程後症狀得到改善。研究還發現，在那些症狀得到改善的人群中，81%的人在催眠治療結束後的六年裏依然感覺良好。2012年一項研究中，經過催眠症狀得到改善的IBS患者中，有85%在催眠結束後七年仍然感覺良好。

　　催眠可以緩解潮熱

　　2013的一項研究發現，對那些每週至少有50次潮熱症狀的更年期女性來說，以五周為一療程進行催眠治療，在12周之後，潮熱能減少74%。同時，沒有進行催眠、只是靠經驗豐富的醫生進行治療的女性潮熱只能減少17%。

　　催眠可以緩解疼痛

　　催眠對疼痛療效的研究是最多的。2000年和2009年發表的兩篇綜合研究報告指出，催眠能有效緩解由纖維肌痛、關節炎和癌症等眾多情況引發的疼痛，但也指出，很少有心理學家去使用。

　　催眠可以鎮靜神經

　　由於催眠有激發心靈力量的能力，所以經常被用於緩解其他醫療程式中的焦慮，如手術、掃描或分娩等狀態焦慮。專家Melinda Beck 認為，“這可能是因為催眠起到了鎮靜劑的效果。患者的預期會影響自己的感覺，而催眠可以幫助患者調整預期，減少疼痛、恐懼和無助感。”2010年的一項研究指出，催眠是否可以減輕廣泛性焦慮症，或所謂的特質焦慮以及與性格相關的焦慮，還需要進行更多的研究才能確定。已經有研究初步證明催眠對抑鬱症有療效，但是還需要更多的研究。（翻譯/意嘎）

马来西亚自然疗法抗癌症-催眠疗法

催眠疗法在癌症医疗中的运用
美国一位医学教授对癌症的病因提出了新的理论，认为癌症的发展主要不是客观上存在的癌细胞，而是主观情绪、自我暗示导致了癌变。这一理论虽未被广泛接受，但癌症求治者一旦知道了自己患病的真相，病情便会急剧变化却是不可否认的。


　　面对癌症的侵袭时，不管是对病人还是他的家庭，都将面对一个不可知的未来。仅仅是这一点，就会给日常生活带来极大的焦虑与压力。很多时候，当他面对各种对身心有害的治疗手段时会感到无助，并极其忧虑自己的未来。催眠是重生强有力的手段，面对压力的侵袭，催眠往往会比医疗手段更有效。当明白控制压力对身体痊愈的重要性，病人们就会从心灰意冷转变到对治愈充满信心。

　　癌症术后的恢复会遭遇反胃、呕吐、腹泻和食欲不振等生理症状，现代医学研究表明催眠是对付这些不良反应的有效手段。一个癌症患者通过催眠和引导想象可以在与疾病的斗争中变得更加主动。经过催眠引导，病人可以看到他们的身体在和癌症争斗，变得越来越健康并最终赶走了侵略者。他们还可能看到化学疗法和药物正在发挥作用帮助他们赶走身体中的毒素。

　　催眠作为癌症医疗辅助手段的主要目标是让病人有自我把控的能力并且明白身心之间的联系。这就可以结合潜意识的力量提供最好的医学整合治疗。当一个人遭遇疾病的侵袭但是相信医学手段一定能够帮助他走向康复的时候，那么治疗成功的机率确实会提高很多。

　　催眠疗法对于癌症各种层面的治疗都起到作用。

　　第一，它可以处理疾病本身的某些症状、来自由于某些器官组织带来的病痛和症状，还有一些非器官性的症状，比如：疲劳、精神不爽、易怒和失眠。


　　第二，催眠疗法对于癌症疾病治理的副作用的匡救非常有用。这一点非常重要，因为治疗过程中使用了化疗和放疗，是非常的痛苦，甚至造成有的病人逃离治疗。

　　第三，癌症病人面临很重要的心理调整问题。许多人把诊断看作是死亡宣判书，他必须为个人的存在而格斗，对于这些困境，催眠疗法可以发挥作用来帮助他们。

　　最后，使用催眠疗法中的想象作用，能够对癌症疾病的治疗过程中起到修补完善的作用。上述的前三项作用，被证明具有临床的效果，


您可以参考此篇文章，了解科学家对这方面疗法所做的详细研究：http://www.cancernetwork.com/oncology-nursing/clinical-hypnosis-palliative-care-cancer-patients#sthash.GWd1NYqx.dpuf

　　催眠疗法的目标却是很明确一致的。也就是说，必须给患者带来安慰、支撑、消除压力与痛苦，使得他能够与家庭作有意义的沟通。

　　催眠疗法的想像作用不仅仅用于引导患者区改善他们的心理框架，还被直接用来治疗疾病的本身。之所以这么做，是因为想象力对神经和体温的功能都会产生效果，从而间接地对免疫系统产生了作用。加强免疫系统——这是整体性的身心问题，可以减轻癌症的发展过程。

　　对于癌症的各个层面的治疗，催眠疗法都能发挥积极的辅助作用。癌症的生理症状最普通的就是引起病痛，至于治疗的生理影响也很大(虚弱啊、恶心啊、呕吐啊等等)。这些情况都可以经过催眠疗法而使患者觉得每天的日子过得好受一些。同样催眠疗法对于心理治疗亦有积极作用，可以帮助每个患者调整心态以面对自己的疾病。






资料来源：
http://www.psy525.cn/special/16179-89372.html

Hypnotherapy Malaysia for cancer pain management, cancer care and coping skills for cancer

Clinical Hypnosis for the Palliative Care of Cancer Patients 

August 27, 2012 | Oncology Nursing, Integrative Oncology, Palliative and Supportive Care, Survivorship

By Gary Elkins, PhD, William Fisher, MA, and Jim Sliwinski, MA

Clinical hypnosis has been defined as a mind-body therapy that involves a deeply relaxed state, individualized mental imagery, and therapeutic suggestion. Clinical hypnosis has a very long history, with reports of medical application dating back to the 18th century. Some have suggested that there is even evidence for the use of clinical hypnosis since ancient times, with inscriptions of hypnotic-like phenomena on a stone stele from Egypt during the reign of Ramses XII, some 3,000 years ago. The word hypnosis, derived from the Greek word for sleep, was coined by James Braid in 1841. Clinical hypnosis is a mind-body therapy, one of the fastest-growing and most commonly employed categories of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), as defined by the NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) of the National Institutes of Health. A national health interview survey of medical usage in 2007 found that 4 out of 10 US respondents reported having used complementary and alternative medical treatments in the previous year.[1] Further, research suggests that CAM use continues to be highest among those with chronic diseases (eg, cancer).[2,3] Mind-body interventions such as clinical hypnosis are also becoming popular for their ease of integration into an overall cancer survivorship treatment plan with relatively low risks.[4]

Hypnosis produces an altered state of consciousness, awareness, or perception. The hypnotic state is a highly relaxed state in which the patient’s mind (conscious and subconscious) is focused and receptive to therapeutic suggestion. It involves learning to use one’s mind and thoughts to manage emotional distress, (eg, anxiety, stress), unpleasant physical symptoms (eg, pain, nausea), or to help change certain habits or behaviors (eg, smoking). While hypnosis sessions may vary depending on a patient’s needs, a clinical hypnosis session typically comprises two basic phases:

Induction. During this phase, the therapist helps the patient to relax, and may ask the patient to imagine a peaceful scene that helps him or her to become more focused and concentrate on what is to be accomplished during the session.

Application. During this phase, the patient receives suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions, the key ingredient of hypnosis, are special statements that are designed to suggest relief from troubling symptoms.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies of clinical hypnosis identified 57 studies that demonstrated hypnosis as an effective treatment for a number of health disorders and conditions including pain, smoking cessation, migraines, allergies, analgesia in labor, asthma, dermatology, dentistry, anxiety, hypertension, tinnitus, and postoperative recovery in surgery.[6]

What is the Evidence Related to Hypnosis and Cancer?

Clinical hypnosis has been described in the medical literature to relieve a broad spectrum of symptoms, including treatment of common symptoms associated with cancer care, as discussed below.

Pain

Hypnosis is the most frequently cited form of nonpharmacologic cognitive pain control.[7] Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain has been demonstrated to provide relief for the symptoms of pain in cancer, arthritis, sickle cell disease, temporomandibular disorder, and fibromyalgia. Hypnosis has demonstrated positive outcomes for the reduction of chronic and procedural-related pain in oncology.

A study of breast cancer patients found that those assigned to treatment (standard care or expressive-supportive therapy) that included clinical hypnosis demonstrated significantly less pain. In addition, patients who underwent hypnosis reported significantly less of an increase in pain over time.[8] Another study of advanced-stage cancer patients with malignant bone disease was conducted by randomizing patients to receive either hypnotherapy or supportive attention (eg, encouragement, active listening).[9] Results showed the hypnosis intervention group had a significant overall decrease in pain.

Syrjala and colleagues studied 45 cancer patients to evaluate the efficacy of hypnosis for pain relief following chemotherapy.[10] Participants were randomized into the following conditions: hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attention control, and standard care. There were no reported significant differences among the groups for nausea, presence of emesis, nor opioid intake; however, the hypnosis group showed a significant reduction in oral pain. Montgomery and colleagues studied 200 patients undergoing excisional breast biopsy or lumpectomy.[11] Participants in this study were randomly assigned to a hypnosis session or to a control condition involving nondirective empathic listening. The hypnosis group had significant reductions in pain intensity, self-reported pain unpleasantness, nausea, fatigue, and discomfort compared with the control. Moreover, the per-patient cost to the medical institution was $772.71 less for those in the hypnosis group compared with patients in the control group, because of reduced surgical time. Lang and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating hypnosis for women (n = 236) undergoing large core breast biopsy.[12] During the procedure, in addition to standard of care, participants received either empathetic attention or a hypnotic relaxation treatment. Results indicated that hypnosis reduced pain and anxiety compared to empathetic attention, which only showed a reduction in pain.

A recently published review examined the evidence from clinically controlled trials, evaluating hypnosis for procedural-related pain in pediatric oncology.[13] Eight randomized controlled trials were analyzed, demonstrating positive outcomes in clinical hypnosis for pain management in pediatric oncology.

Nausea

It has been reported that 70% to 80% of all cancer patients who receive chemotherapy experience nausea and vomiting.[14] Clinical hypnosis has been studied for relief of nausea and vomiting secondary to chemotherapy. In a randomized study of the efficacy of hypnosis in reducing nausea and vomiting in children receiving chemotherapy, researchers found children participating in hypnosis had less anticipatory nausea and vomiting and less overall vomiting compared with controls who did not undergo hypnosis.[15] This finding was replicated in a later study also demonstrating that patients using clinical hypnosis showed a reduced need for antiemetic medication.[16] A review by Richardson and colleagues of six randomized, controlled trials suggests there were large effect sizes for hypnotic treatments when compared with treatment as usual, and these were at least as large as the effects of CBT.[13] In a study of mediators of a brief hypnosis intervention to control side effects in breast cancer surgery patients, Montgomery and colleagues concluded that clinical hypnosis works to a significant extent through the two psychological mechanisms of cognition and emotion. Results of a study of a 200 breast cancer patients who underwent a presurgical hypnosis intervention to improve postsurgical side effects suggest that, to reduce postsurgical nausea, clinical hypnotic interventions should be designed to specifically target patient expectancies and distress.[17]

Fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue has long been recognized as one of the most difficult symptoms to manage during cancer treatment, and it remains the most common unrelieved symptom of cancer.[18] Research suggests that fatigue is a multidimensional syndrome which results from both cancer and cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Estimates of the prevalence of fatigue in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy are diverse. Literature suggests that fatigue can affect 60% to 90% of patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.[19] This condition is managed through education of patients and caregivers about current evidence-based strategies to reduce fatigue, nonpharmacological interventions including exercise, and pharmacological therapies.[18] Despite the high prevalence of cancer-related fatigue, few intervention options exist.[20] A study was conducted to test the effectiveness of CBT and hypnosis for radiotherapy-related fatigue.[21] Breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or CBT and hypnosis. Results show that with the cognitive-behavioral/hypnosis intervention, patients’ fatigue did not increase over the course treatment, whereas fatigue among patients receiving standard care increased linearly. Although this initial result is promising, additional research is critically needed in this area. To determine relative contributions of various interventions to fatigue relief in cancer patients, future studies should be designed with subjects assigned to groups providing hypnosis-only, CBT only, and combined cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy, as well as a control group offering structured attention.

Hot Flashes

Clinical hypnosis for the treatment of hot flashes has been investigated. In two studies of breast cancer survivors, participants received five sessions of hypnotherapy, (provided approximately weekly) and were instructed in self-hypnosis. The hypnotic intervention was individualized to facilitate a hypnotic state, feelings of coolness, and control of symptoms. The results showed a 69% reduction of hot flashes relative to baseline,[22,23] and are comparable or superior to results from open-label studies with paroxetine and venlafaxine.[24] In a large ongoing randomized clinical trial of hypnosis for hot flashes, 184 post-menopausal women have been randomized to either clinical hypnosis or to structured-attention control that provides supportive, non-directive counseling. Preliminary unpublished results concur with earlier studies suggesting that hot flashes can be reduced by 70% at 3 months follow-up among post-menopausal women.[25]

Sleep

Hypnosis can also be an effective treatment option for cancer patients suffering from sleep problems. Cancer patients experience sleeping difficulties for a number of reasons, including anxiety related to diagnosis, depression, pain, fatigue, and other treatment-related side effects. Cancer patients have been reported to be nearly three times more likely than members of the general population to meet diagnostic criteria for insomnia.[26]

While sleep disorders can be treated with pharmacotherapy, this treatment modality carries with it the inherent risks of dependence and potentially dangerous drug interactions. Furthermore, pharmacotherapy does not treat the underlying source of the sleep disturbance. Hypnosis provides cancer patients with a safe alternative treatment option that not only improves the ability to obtain restful sleep, but also leads to improvements in other symptom areas.

A study conducted by Elkins et al supports the efficacy of clinical hypnosis in improving the quality of sleep for cancer patients.[23] During this study, 51 breast cancer patients (all female) were assigned to either five weekly sessions of hypnosis or a waitlist control group. The main outcome for this study was a reduction in hot flash occurrence. At the conclusion of the 5-week treatment period, not only did cancer patients report fewer hot flash related daily disturbances, but they also reported significant improvements in sleep quality, as well as fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. This study provides an example of how hypnosis may be effective at treating a target symptom and improving the patient’s overall quality of life.

How Is Hypnosis Currently Used in Cancer Care?

Hypnosis has been specifically employed in the palliative care of cancer patients to reduce symptoms associated with radiation and chemotherapy, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, and sleep dysfunction. Length of hypnotic treatment varies depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Clinical hypnosis treatment for cancer patients may range from a single session to multiple sessions. In research, cancer patients undergoing clinical hypnotherapy typically receive approximately five sessions or more of clinical hypnosis, each involving a hypnotic induction and instruction in self-hypnosis. The practice of self-hypnosis helps patients achieve a relaxed, therapeutic, hypnotic state. Professionals serve as facilitators of self-hypnosis, often providing hypnosis audio recordings for patients to use between sessions.

Hypnosis is frequently offered in conjunction with other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Research suggests that using a combination of hypnosis and CBT improved outcomes more than those achieved for at least 70% of patients who used CBT alone.[27] Additionally, CBT techniques can be utilized in a hypnotic context by preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic induction.[28]

What Are the Potential Risks?

Clinical hypnosis has been commonly described as a safe method when used correctly, having few harmful side effects.[8] However, individuals may initially feel drowsy following hypnosis, due to its focus on increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety. Unexpected delusional thoughts and trancelike states are also possible. Therefore, clinical hypnosis for patients with psychological disorders involving delusions is unadvisable. The clinical hypnosis literature has commonly listed exclusions for study participants with diagnoses of schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder.

What's the Bottom-Line Message?

Clinical hypnosis is a viable option for cancer patients, who, once trained in self-hypnosis, may employ these techniques to manage myriad symptoms.

In particular, hypnosis as an adjunct treatment for cancer patients and survivors can be effective in treating pain, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, and sleep disorders. While current research into the efficacy of clinical hypnosis for the palliative treatment of cancer patients is extremely encouraging, some studies have been limited by less-than-desirable sample sizes, and there is a dearth of large randomized controlled trials. Additional research will be needed for clinical hypnosis to become a well-established evidence-based treatment for the palliative care of cancer patients. However, the existing evidence from all clinical research supports inclusion of clinical hypnosis as an effective adjunct therapy in the palliative cancer treatment milieu, and therefore hypnosis should be considered for patients with cancer on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Disclosure: The authors have no significant financial interest or other relationship with the manufacturers of any products or providers of any service mentioned in this article.

Acknowledgment: Dr. Elkins is supported by NCCAM grant 5U01AT004634 and NCI grant R21CA131795.

Source:
http://www.cancernetwork.com/oncology-nursing/clinical-hypnosis-palliative-care-cancer-patients#sthash.GWd1NYqx.dpuf

Hypnotherapy Malaysia for pain control and pain management

Hypnosis is a scientifically proven and effective form of pain relief.

Hypnosis is likely to be effective for most people suffering from diverse forms of pain, with the possible exception of a minority of patients who are resistant to hypnotic interventions (American Psychological Association, July 2, 2004).

Hypnotherapy is used to promote relaxation and induce an altered state of consciousness. The resulting psychological shift is intended to help people gain control over their states of awareness, which theoretically can help them gain control over their physical body, including their pain symptoms. 

Neuro-hypnotherapy is a viable option for patients suffering from chronic pain, who, once trained in self-hypnosis, may employ these techniques to do pain mangement anytime they need it. Welcome to contact us for more info.

Scientific Proof & Research Studies:

Meta-Analyses

Meta-analyses are essentially studies of studies. Where individual studies can sometimes show contradictory results, meta-analyses can be used to assess the performance of a treatment over a number of studies - this takes advantage of a larger sample size and hopefully leads to a more reliable result.

Montgomery, David, Winkel, Siverstein & Bovbjerg (2002)

This meta-analysis examined the results of 20 published controlled studies examining the use of hypnosis as an adjunct with surgical patients. In these studies hypnosis was typically administered to patients in the form of a relaxing induction phase followed by suggestions for the control of side effect profiles (e.g. pain, nausea, distress). Only studies in which patients were randomised to either a hypnosis or control group (no-treatment, routine care, or attention control group) were included. The results revealed that patients in the hypnosis treatment groups had better outcomes than 89% of the patients in the control groups. It was found that adjunctive hypnosis helped the majority of patients reduce adverse consequences of surgical interventions.

A Meta-Analysis of Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Problems: A Comparison Between Hypnosis, Standard Care, and Other Psychological Interventions

Hypnosis is regarded as an effective treatment for psychological and physical ailments. However, its efficacy as a strategy for managing chronic pain has not been assessed through meta-analytical methods. The objective of the current study was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of hypnosis for managing chronic pain. When compared with standard care, hypnosis provided moderate treatment benefit. Hypnosis also showed a moderate superior effect as compared to other psychological interventions for a nonheadache group. The results suggest that hypnosis is efficacious for managing chronic pain. Given that large heterogeneity among the included studies was identified, the nature of hypnosis treatment is further discussed.

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/iceh/2014/00000062/00000001/art00001?crawler=true

A meta-analysis of hypnotically induced analgesia: how effective is hypnosis?

Over the past two decades, hypnoanalgesia has been widely studied; however, no systematic attempts have been made to determine the average size of hypnoanalgesic effects or establish the generalizability of these effects from the laboratory to the clinic. This study examines the effectiveness of hypnosis in pain management, compares studies that evaluated hypnotic pain reduction in healthy volunteers vs. those using patient samples, compares hypnoanalgesic effects and participants' hypnotic suggestibility, and determines the effectiveness of hypnotic suggestion for pain relief relative to other nonhypnotic psychological interventions. Meta-analysis of 18 studies revealed a moderate to large hypnoanalgesic effect, supporting the efficacy of hypnotic techniques for pain management. The results also indicated that hypnotic suggestion was equally effective in reducing both clinical and experimental pain. The overall results suggest broader application of hypnoanalgesic techniques with pain patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10769981

Bell & Meadows (2013). "Efficacy of a brief relaxation training intervention for pediatric recurrent abdominal pain." Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 20(1): 81-92.  Excerpt: "The intervention consisted of a single 1-hour session including psychoeducation and coaching of breathing retraining; the length, duration, and content of the intervention were designed with a goal of maximum portability to primary-care settings....  This brief intervention was successful in lessening abdominal pain...  The intervention was also successful in decreasing some children's general somatic symptoms."

Birnie, et al. (2014). "Systematic review and meta-analysis of distraction and hypnosis for needle-related pain and distress in children and adolescents." Journal of Pediatric Psychology 39(8): 783-808. Excerpt: "Findings showed strong support for distraction and hypnosis for reducing pain and distress from needle procedures. The quality of available evidence was low, however."

Donatone (2013). "Focused suggestion with somatic anchoring technique: Rapid self-hypnosis for pain management." American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 55(4): 325-342. Excerpt: "The focused suggestion with somatic anchoring technique has been used with various types of pain, including somatic pain (arthritis, post-injury pain from bone breaks, or muscle tears), visceral pain (related to irritable bowel disease), and neuropathic pain (related to multiple sclerosis). This technique combines cognitive restructuring and mindfulness meditation with indirect and direct suggestions during hypnosis.... Focused suggestion with somatic anchoring technique is used with both acute and chronic pain conditions when use of long-term medication has been relatively ineffective." 

Flor, H. (2014). "Psychological pain interventions and neurophysiology: Implications for a mechanism-based approach." American Psychologist 69(2): 188-196. Excerpt: "A number of psychological pain treatments have been examined with respect to their effects on brain activity, ranging from cognitive- and operant behavioral interventions, meditation and hypnosis, to neuro- and biofeedback, discrimination training, imagery and mirror treatment, as well as virtual reality and placebo applications. These treatments affect both ascending and descending aspects of pain processing and act through brain mechanisms that involve sensorimotor areas as well as those involved in affective-motivational and cognitive-evaluative aspects. The analysis of neurophysiological changes related to effective psychological pain treatment can help to identify subgroups of patients with chronic pain who might profit from different interventions, can aid in predicting treatment outcome, and can assist in identifying responders and nonresponders, thus enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of psychological interventions."

Jensen, M. P. and D. R. Patterson (2014). "Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: Clinical implications of recent research findings." American Psychologist 69(2): 167-177. Excerpt: "Clinical trials show that hypnosis is effective for reducing chronic pain, although outcomes vary between individuals.... Neurophysiological studies reveal that hypnotic analgesia has clear effects on brain and spinal-cord functioning that differ as a function of the specific hypnotic suggestions made, providing further evidence for the specific effects of hypnosis." 

Kong, et al. (2013). "Functional connectivity of the frontoparietal network predicts cognitive modulation of pain." Pain 154(3): 459-467. Excerpt: "The experience of pain can be significantly influenced by expectancy (predictive cues). This ability to modulate pain has the potential to affect therapeutic analgesia substantially and constitutes a foundation for nonpharmacological pain relief....  After cue conditioning, visual cues can significantly modulate subjective pain ratings. Functional magnetic resonance imaging results suggested that brain regions pertaining to the frontoparietal network (prefrontal and parietal cortex) and a pain/emotion modulatory region (rostral anterior cingulate cortex) are involved in cue modulation during both pain anticipation and administration stage. Most interestingly...pretest resting state functional connectivity between the frontoparietal network (as identified by independent component analysis) and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex was positively associated with cue effects on pain rating changes."


Trost & Parsons (2014). "Beyond distraction: Virtual reality graded exposure therapy as treatment for pain-related fear and disability in chronic pain." Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research 19(2): 106-126. Excerpt: "In addition to mitigating costs associated with traditional exposure protocols, the VRGET platform facilitates patient treatment engagement, provides real-time assessment of valuable outcome variables such as affective response and kinematic adaptation, and promotes generalizability of treatment gains across clinical and home environments." Ussher, M., et al. (2014). "Immediate effects of a brief mindfulness-based body scan on patients with chronic pain." Journal of Behavioral Medicine 37(1): 127-134. Excerpt: "These data suggest that, in a clinic setting, a brief body scan has immediate benefits for those experiencing chronic pain."

Valentini, et al. (2013). "Hypnotic modulation of pain perception and of brain activity triggered by nociceptive laser stimuli." Cortex: A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior 49(2): 446-462. Excerpt: "Hypnotic suggestions exerted a top−down modulatory effect on both evoked and induced-cortical brain responses triggered by selective nociceptive laser inputs. Furthermore, correlation analyses indicated that gamma power modulation and suggestions of hyperalgesia may reflect the process of allocating control resources to salient and threatening sensory-affective dimensions of pain."

Source:

http://hypnosis.tools/is-it-effective.html

http://kspope.com/pain.php

催眠术的历史

催眠术的历史是它争取为大众所接受、争取其科学价值得到人们承认的斗争史。在这一过程中，催眠师自始至终地受到刁难和讥讽，而这常常是来自于他们的医学同行。不过，这并未能阻止催眠术的稳步进展。今天，它已成为科学研究的课题；作为一种辅助疗法，它得到很高的评价。

多数催眠术著作之所以都专列一章讲述催眠术的历史，是因为这段历史确实非常有趣，它涉及一些相当富有色彩和具有超凡魅力的人物，其中最著名者要数弗兰兹·梅斯默。而且，在某个特定历史时期里，人们关于催眠术的流行观点也通过被催眠者千姿百态的表现方式得到反映，这一点也颇为有趣。如果不了解历史，那我们对于目前存在的有关催眠术及其应用问题的一些争议就很难理解。虽然催眠师再也不像过去那样受到刁难，但许多错误看法却仍然存在，本书将努力使之澄清。

催眠术的历史是悠久的，它至少可追溯到古希腊和古埃及时期，而且很可能更加久远。古希腊与古埃及都有催梦中心，人们到这里接受指导以求解除病痛。顾名思义，催梦中心的目的是诱导人们做梦。梦的诱导要使用若干技术，这包括斋戒、祈祷，以及某些类似于催眠诱导的方法。受术者将梦觉报告给施术者，后者对梦进行诠释，以借此提示解决病痛的方法。

此外，米勒（1979）还报告说，古希腊和古埃及都曾使用过催眠暗示。在古希腊，病人在“患者睡眠殿堂”里接受治疗。施术者综合使用诸如音乐、药物、重复言语等多种方法，使患者进入睡眠；在古埃及，“殿堂睡眠”是由焚香和吟诵而诱导发生。当患者处于睡眠状态时，施术者即暗示症状将会消失，患者将获痊愈。

现代催眠术始于18世纪的最后25年，由梅斯默所开创。在他之前还有两个重要的人物值得一提，他们是帕拉思瑟斯（1493－1541）和范·赫蒙特（1577－1644）。帕拉思瑟斯是一位瑞士医生，他认为星辰能通过磁力影响人类，而所有的磁石对人体都有作用。范·赫蒙特进一步发挥了这一观点，他认为举凡人体都能放射“动物磁性”，这种动物磁性能影响其他人的精神和肉体。后来信仰疗法的握手治疗正是由此发展而来。不同的是，现在信仰疗法已将其治疗作用归功于上帝的力量，而不再指为动物磁性。

在本世纪的前五十年里，催眠术遇到了医学权威的歧视。尽管如此，人们对于催眠术的研究，无论是在理论探讨，还是在临床治疗方面，都作了大量的重要工作。1955年，英国医学会作为官方承认了催眠疗法的合法地位；1958年，美国医学会以及美国心理学会也作出了这样的决定。


在结束本章的讨论之前，还有必要指出，在对催眠术的认识上，医学心理学的观点与外行人的观点迥然相异。医学心理学的理论取得了相当的发展；而外行的观念依然有许多错误。尤多夫（1981）对此有较好的分析。

外行人的错误观点与19世纪50年里医学界对催眠术的看法非常相似，如催眠师一定具有超凡的能力；被催眠的人完全听由催眠师的摆布；在催眠状态下的人总是吐露真情；人的正常力量在催眠状态下得到增强，等等。任何经常使用催眠术的人都会发现，这类错误认识相当突出，也是人们害怕催眠术的主要原因。遗憾的是，正确的理论却不能迅速改变外行人的错误观点，因为它通常没有错误看法那么令人感到新奇。





资料来源：
《催眠术与催眠疗法》

华夏出版社1992年1版1印
责任编辑 / 张伟  
封面设计 / 王宁

http://book.douban.com/subject/2243721/