Hypnotherapy and quitting smoking

What is it? Hypnosis is a technique used mainly in psychotherapy to gain access to the roots of many physical and psychological problems. By cutting through the conscious mind - and therefore many habits, strategies and inhibitions - with relaxation techniques, the hypnotherapist plants positive suggestions in the subconscious mind of the client to alter negative behaviour patterns, attitudes and habits. Hypnosis is only possible with and co-operation of the client.

What does it treat? Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy and not an alternative to seeking medical care.

There are two main forms of hypnotherapy - suggestion hypnotherapy and analytical hypnotherapy. Suggestion hypnotherapy treats problems such as giving up smoking, weight control, assertiveness, bedwetting in children, skin disorders, pre-exam nerves and nail biting. Analytical hypnotherapy, which is a combination of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy (and requires between six and eight sessions), treats more complex or chronic problems, such as anxiety/panic attacks, migraine, allergies, depression, insomnia, sexual problems, obsessions and compulsions.

Hypnosis can also be used as a pain relief during labour and dental treatment.

A first timer's experience (41-year-old male journalist): "The first 40 minutes or so were spent talking. The hypnotherapist (who is also a psychotherapist) asked me about my smoking habit, when I crave cigarettes, when I had my first cigarette, why I smoked, etc. She asked me to picture myself in a social situation which is when my resolve to stop smoking breaks down. Then, she asked me to look at myself when I am not smoking and to compare how I looked and felt in each picture. In the first picture, I was skinny, fidgety and nervous with bad posture. While in the second picture, I was standing up straight, was content with myself and felt a bit like George Clooney.

"She then asked me to visualise myself brushing my teeth as a child, as a teenager, as a young adult, now and in 10 years' time and 20 years' time. She asked me to draw a line between all these images. For me, this line curved upwards at first and then spiralled downwards off course. She asked me to straighten that line.

"When, I mentally brought the line straight, I felt more confident and in control. She asked me to close my eyes and think about being in a nice relaxing place. Her voice became very soothing. She continued to talk softly saying things like `imagine yourself in a nice pool of calm, looking at sun rippling on the surface of the water'. She talked about me going down a stairs step by step and that we were going into a deeper state of relaxation. I felt her voice go out of my consciousness and then I heard her say, `you'll wake up now'.

"There wasn't any snapping of fingers or anything like that. This part of the session took over an hour, although I didn't feel the time go by. Afterwards, I felt very refreshed. I felt like I had a bit of mental massage and that my head had been cleared somewhat. I went out that night and I was not inclined to smoke. I listened to the tape the hypnotherapist gave me before going to sleep. I don't expect one session to cure my smoking habit but it has given me better resolve."

An advocate's view: Dominique Roe (44) is a mother of three, working in the home. "I had been smoking cigarettes since I was 13. I smoked 30 cigarettes a day . . . when I went to the hypnotherapist, I was aware of everything that was going on, although I was deeply relaxed. After the first session in February of this year, I thought `this hasn't worked', but in fact I have never smoked since. The hypnotherapist asked me to throw my cigarettes in the bin after the session, which I did. I thought `this is a waste because I will want a cigarette when I get to the car'.

"I didn't. Then, I thought `I will want one when I get home'. I didn't. I listened to the tape the hynotherapist gave me every morning and night for two weeks afterwards. I have had cravings, but they haven't lasted for long.

Each time I think of smoking or see people smoking, the idea goes out of my mind soon afterwards. I went back for a second session and for a long time I didn't believe I had given up. It was just too easy.

The medical view: Dr Muiris Houston, Irish Times Medical Correspondent, says: "Some general practitioners and medical specialists use hypnosis as part of their regular clinical work. There is good evidence from random controlled trials that hypnosis can reduce anxiety and panic disorders. They have also shown hypnosis to be of value in asthma and irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnosis can also help in smoking cessation and with phobias such as a fear of flying.

The Post Graduate Association of the Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (Tel: 021-4275785) has 170 affiliated practising hypnotherapists. The Association of Neuro-Linguistic Programming Ireland (Tel: 01-6601578) has some hypnotherapists among its members. A hypnotherapy session lasting between 50 minutes and one hour costs £30 - £50. See also www.hypnosiseire.com