Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis for Tourette's Syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by multiple motor tics, as well as vocalizations, which wax and wane. 

 

The motor tics involve specific muscle groups and can change from one part of the body to another. The vocalizations, or phonic tics, may involve grunting, sniffing, coughing, snorting, throat-clearing or other sounds.

 

Tourette’s syndrome afflicts an estimated 200,000 people in the United States. Symptoms generally show between the ages of 5 and 18.

Hypnosis is defined as “a state of mind usually combining relaxation with concentration on a desired point of focus so that other undesired thoughts or feelings fade into the background” 

 

Hypnosis helps people experience a state of mind that combines relaxation with concentration on a desired point of focus, pushing other thoughts or feelings into the background.

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“Once the patient is in his or her highly focused special place, work is then done on controlling the tic.”

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Hypnosis, especially self-hypnosis, maybe an effective alternative treatment for tics.