The use of hypnosis with eating disorders

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on the use of hypnosis in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. It proposes that patients with eating disorders ought to be investigated as to the underlying dynamics behind the eating disorders symptoms. Following a thorough assessment, a number of hypnotherapeutic techniques are explained and discussed, such as: general relaxation and calmness, guided imagery, teaching self-hypnosis, ego-strengthening, direct and indirect suggestions for healing and recovery, cognitive restructuring and reframing, symbolic guided imagery, age progression ("back from the future" technique), metaphorical prescriptions, age regression and abreactions, and ego state therapy. Verbatim examples of these techniques are given as illustrations of how to use them.