An NHS hospital is considering using hypnosis to help severely obese children curb overeating habits.
Renowned hypnotist Paul McKenna has advocated for the NHS to implement hypnosis as a solution for addressing the obesity crisis in the UK. A recent case study at the European Congress on Obesity highlighted the successful use of hypnosis by the NHS Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) Service to assist a 13-year-old boy struggling with severe obesity.
Matthew Selman, a senior clinical psychologist at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, shared that despite trying various methods, the boy’s weight continued to increase. Selman expressed optimism about the positive outcomes of hypnosis, acknowledging that while it may not work for everyone, significant changes can be observed in those it resonates with.
Selman also noted that while two other patients were offered hypnosis alongside conventional care, they did not respond favorably. The plan is to explore hypnosis further with more young individuals to identify those who could benefit from it.
Paul McKenna emphasized the growing recognition among medical professionals of alternative approaches to combat overeating. He highlighted the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for weight loss, citing instances where individuals experienced a mindset shift leading to reduced food intake, increased motivation for exercise, and heightened awareness of dietary choices.
Clinical hypnosis involves guiding patients into a state of heightened suggestibility to introduce suggestions aimed at behavioral changes. While it is commonly used for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain, its application for weight loss is not widespread within the NHS.
In the case of the 13-year-old boy, three 50-minute hypnosis sessions were conducted to help him develop healthier eating habits and curb emotional eating triggers. The teenager continued practicing self-hypnosis for four months, resulting in a decrease in his body fat percentage and improvement in anxiety scores.
Statistics reveal that millions of adults in the UK are affected by obesity, with additional individuals categorized as overweight. Recent data presented at a major obesity conference indicated that thousands of children have received treatment for severe obesity at NHS CEWs since their launch in 2021.
Paul McKenna is known for introducing the Hypnotic Gastric Band technique, which involves patients visualizing their stomach shrinking in size. While not universally effective, the technique has shown positive results for a majority of individuals.
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