My last blog focused on the brain and sleep (Why Our Brains Need Sleep) and so in this blog I have included two hypnotherapy case studies that centre around insomnia.
For reasons of confidentiality, the name of each client has been changed.
Debbie
Debbie had been experiencing difficulty sleeping for many years and had been taking sleeping tablets on a regular basis for more than 10 years. She had difficulty getting off to sleep, woke up multiple times in the night and had difficulty waking up in the morning. She was also experiencing night sweats. After so many years of insomnia it was not surprising to hear that Debbie had a very negative expectation of getting a good night’s sleep and had come to dread bedtime. The prolonged sleeplessness was also impairing Debbie’s ability to function normally during the day and adversely affecting her confidence levels and enjoyment of life.
Debbie had five sessions of hypnotherapy in total, spaced a week apart. Using solution focused techniques and hypnosis, we worked to change Debbie’s perception of sleep and re-train the mind in expectation of a restful and good night’s sleep. During her last session Debbie told me that she had had the best week of sleep ever. She was feeling much more relaxed and was now thinking in a positive way about sleep. She had been able to make significant beneficial changes, including considerably reducing her caffeine intake. Prior to having hypnotherapy Debbie was drinking numerous cups of coffee in the day and gorging on chocolate in the evenings. She was now having just one cup of coffee per day and had stopped eating chocolate altogether. She was no longer taking sleeping tablets and she was no longer getting night sweats.
John
John had been struggling with sleep for around six months. His partner had been seriously ill for a long time which was understandably of great concern to John. He was also her carer. By the time John came for an initial consultation he had his own health concerns. He was also suffering from symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem. He found he couldn’t relax or switch off, he was constantly feeling agitated and he had no appetite.
Anxiety is a common cause of insomnia. Unfortunately, it’s a vicious circle as lack of sleep causes more anxiety and worries about not sleeping only makes the problem worse. Through solution focused hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques we worked to reduce John’s levels of anxiety. By refocusing his thoughts in a solution focused way John was able to change the way he felt about the particular challenges he was facing. He felt more confident in his abilities to cope and was able to approach things in a better way. As his frame of mind improved so his sleep patterns improved. After four sessions of hypnotherapy John said he was sleeping much better, he was no longer taking sleeping tablets and he was feeling a lot better, both physically and mentally.
Many clients that I see are experiencing some problem with sleep at the time of their initial consultation, regardless of the issue that they are seeking help with. This may be difficulty falling off to sleep, waking up in the night, waking up too early in the morning or not feeling refreshed from sleep. To find out more about hypnotherapy and how it can help you to get a good night’s sleep please call 07514 931 096 or email me using the contact form.