CARETAKERS AND DEMENTIA

     Are you a caretaker of a spouse with dementia?  If you are, you know how exhausting that responsibility is. A study done by Maria Norton, PhD, associate professor of gerontology at Utah State University, Logan, was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference concluding that spouses of dementia sufferers are at increased risk for dementia, too.  Dr. Norton's research indicated that wives whose husbands had dementia were nearly four times more likely to also develop dementia than women whose husband's did not have dementia.

    If you are a caretaker, you know that the stress of caregiving is a risk factor for dementia. So what can you do to deal with this risk factor?  Seek help - get information on support groups and use them, ask for support from family and friends.  Even an hour away to get your hair cut or get to your own doctor's appointment can relieve the stress you deal with.  Hypnotherapy can be a great tool in dealing with stress. Many professional hypnotherapists allow a client to record the hypnosis session so it can be listened to at home as needed.  Tape recorders are old technology. But tapes can still be found if you have an old recorder.  Your smart phone likely has an app which will allow you to record.  Or small personal recorders can be bought at an electronic store.  Even a lap top could be used to record the session so you could reinforce at home.  Take care of yourself, reduce the stress and your risk for developing dementia.

HYPNOTHERAPY FOR FEAR OF FLYING

     It's that time of the year.  A lot of us are traveling at this time of the year.  For many, the idea of taking a vacation is very appealing.  But if you are afraid of flying, a holiday may lose its appeal.  If you fear flying, it can limit your life.  If this is an issue check out some of the old posts on this blog for dealing with phobias and anxieties.  Hypnotherapy can be a great way to set yourself free from the fear of flying.  I'm leaving for a few days at the beach. Don't let your fear of flying keep you from having the vacation you want.  

HYPNOSIS AND PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

      Have you been watching the remarkable performances at the Olympics?  Most of us will never have an opportunity to perform on a world stage in any kind of event from athletics to public speaking to singing a song.  But almost all of us will at some time or another go for a job interview, attend an event where we don't know someone or make a presentation at work.  If just the thought of doing any of those things makes you nervous, you may have performance anxiety.

     Clients often come to me and describe the many physical manifestations of the nervousness that they experience when having to perform in such a situation.  They will describe their hearts racing, hands shaking, sweaty palms and even feeling queasy.  In fact, what they are describing is the perfectly normal release of the hormone adrenaline by their adrenal glands.  Adrenaline is released when we feel threatened.  It dilates blood vessels and breathing passages and boosts our heart rate giving us a burst of energy.  This was very useful when humans were being hunted by large, wild animals.  But, this adrenaline rush, is not so effective when we have to give the presentation at work and can't afford to run away.  If time permits, use your muscles to burn off adrenaline.  Take a brisk walk, tense and relax your muscles or push against a wall with your hands. Deep breathing can be a useful technique to overcome an adrenaline rush.  Slowing yourself down by breathing slowly and deeply, walking more slowly than seems natural, taking a moment before speaking can allow your heart rate to slow and keep you more comfortable. 

     Focusing outwardly rather than inwardly will help as well.  When we are anxious we tend to focus on our own behavior expecially shortcomings and mistakes.  Instead, focus outwardly.  If you are giving a speech, look into the eyes of your audience.  Connect with individuals as real people rather than a collective audience judging you.  As you connect, remember your subject (not you) is the important thing.  Instead of worrying about how people are thinking of you personally, delight in giving your audience the information they have come to hear about.

    And don't expect to be perfect.  Perfectionists often focus on one problem or error and that causes them to lose their confidence or focus and make more errors.  Make your goal to give your performance at your best.  This does not mean perfect.  Be aware that no one else expects perfection.  Those enjoying your performance have made mistakes, too.  People will probably like and relate to you more if you seem human enough to make a mistake.  Instead, focus on sharing why you are there - to compete, to inform, whatever.  If you make a mistake, smile, acknowledge, correct if you need to and move on.

    Of course, performance anxiety is more likely to happen if you haven't prepared.  Do what you need to do - practice, study, rehearse.  Hypnotherapy can be a great way to deal with performance anxiety.  Then go out and enjoy!

ERECTILE DISFUNCTION

      Sometimes a man will call to make an appointment with me and describe his issue as a "personal problem".  That personal problem is often erectile disfunction.  This problem can be a sign of aging.  Though men and women can have an active sex lives into their 90's, men typically will take longer to get erections as they get older.  They will usually require physical stimulation to become erect.  But if a man has a consistent problem getting or maintaining an erection during intercourse, he may seek out treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED).

    Although ED may be caused by an underlying psychological problem, the majority of men who have difficulty iniating or maintaing erections have underlying physical problems.  One of the first things to rule out in discovering the problem causing the ED is to see if the man has low testosterone.  This can be established by seeing an endocrinologist specilizing in treating hormone imbalance. A medical test and testostrone supplements are available.  But know that less than 4% of erectile disfunction cases are related to testosterone deficiency.  In addition testosterone supplements can exacerbate a man's condition if he has either prostate cancer or benign prostate enlargement.  In reality, the long-term benefits and risks of testosterone supplements are still not clear and more studies need to be done in this area.

      Be aware that some medications including those used to treat high blood pressure or depression can have a side effect of causing ED.  More than 40% of men with hypertension also suffer from impotence.  And nerve damage from diabetes can also be a cause.  Diabetes is believed to contribute to almost half of impotence cases.

     If medications, diabetes  or low testosterone are not the underlying reasons for ED, consider that erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign of future cardiovascular problems.  High blood pressure, diabetes or pre-diabetes, and higher triglyceride or cholesterol levels may eventually result in clogging or blockages in the arteries.  The main artery in the penis is only about one-half millimeter in diameter.  Even small accumulations of plaques (fatty deposits) can inhibit blood flow.  For that reason those small arteries will begin to clog sooner than the larger arteries that supply the brain or heart. 

     Because erectile dysfunction could be a symptom of cardiovascular disease, men experiencing ED should get a complete cardiovascular workup.  Of course, we have all seen the ads on tv for ED.  After watching all the television commercials for sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and  tadalafil (Cialis), many viewers may get the impression that erectile dysfunction will go away by just popping a pill.  Millions of prescriptions have been written for these drugs and they are considered a very safe drug.  Taking that pill may take care of the ED issue for a particular night, but the underlying, more serious problem of what caused it including the possibility of atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries) is still there.

    For most men, ED can be prevented by making lifestyle changes that promote cardiovascular health.  ED is a wake-up call.  So what can you do to prevent or perhaps even reverse ED?    First of all you need that visit to your physician.  A man whose total cholesterol level is 200 or higher is much more apt to have ED than someone whose numbers are lower.  Numbers can some times be brought down through dietary changes such as eating less saturated fat and increasing fiber consumption while many will need a cholesterol-lowering statin drug such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) or pravastatin (Pravachol).

    A man who has ED may want to have his doctor review the drugs he is taking for side effects.  In addition to almost all blood-pressure lowering drugs and drugs for treating diabetes, antihistamines, sedatives, pain medications, antipsychotics and antidepressants may have the side effect of ED.  Drug side effects are highly individual and switiching to a different drug, may reverse the problem.

    The oral drugs, the penile implants and the vacuum devices prescribed by doctors are all tools to help men deal with ED.  In many cases, life style changes can help.  I always tell my clients, "If you value your sex life, stop smoking."  Smoking damages the inner lining of blood vessels in the penis and increases the risk of plaque buildup.  If you smoke one or more pack of cigarettes daily, your risk of erectile dysfunction is 60% higher than those who never smoked.  In addition weight loss, exercise and improved diet may be necessary to have the best chance at reversing ED.  If you value your sex life, going to a hypnotherapist to get motivated to quit smoking, to lose weight, to exercise more, may be valuable.

HEALTHY LIVING AND HYPNOTHERAPY

     In May of 2008, C. M. Blanchard et al, reported in the JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY on a study of 9,000 survivors of six different types of cancer.  The study concluded that a higher quality of life was correlated to making healthy lifestyle choices.  The majority of cancer survivors in the study were not smoking but had mixed results  from other positive lifestyle changes.

     The American Cancer Society has healthy lifestyle recommendations for cancer survivors.  They include:  not smoking, exercising for 30 minutes at least five times a week and eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.  In the study of the 9,000 survivors almost 92% did not smoke.  But the numbers weren't as good for the other recommendations.  Fewer than half were doing the prescribed amount of physical activity and less tan 19% of survivors were meeting the five-a-day food recommendation.  The study concluded that prostate, colorectal and breast cancer survivors who met the smoking and dietary guidelines had a significantly higher quality of life than those who didn't.  A higher quality of life was reported by all survivors who met the exercise recommendations.  Those in the study who made those positive lifestyle changes had a higher quality of life.

    If you or a loved one is a cancer survivor or if you want to improve your quality of life, follow The American Cancer Society recommendations.  Hypnotherapy can help you get motivated to quit smoking, eat healthier and exercise regularly.  To learn more check my websites:  www.JenniferPJohnson.com or www.BeaHealthyNonsmoker.com.

ARTHRITIS, LOSING WEIGHT AND HYPNOTHERAPY

       Sometimes a client comes to me to get assistance in losing weight.  Since most people who need to lose weight also need to move more, one of things we talk about is exercise.  For some clients that is a real challenge.  They explain that they have arthritis in their knees and/or hips and walking and biking just hurt too much.

      So what can someone do to lose weight while dealing with arthritis?  I recommend to try exercising in the water.  Your local "Y",  the pool in your neighborhood, community, club  or condo or a gym with a swimming pool may give you opportunities for a great cardiovascular workout that is gentle on your body.  Swimming allows mild resistance against your muscles without stressing your joints.  In addition many pools have water aerobics classes including those for seniors that provide opportunity for low impact exercises that are done in the water.  The goal is three workouts a week for at least 30 minutes each.

      Don't let arthritis keep you from losing weight.  If you need motivation to get started, hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool.

SMOKING AND HEART ATTACK RISK

     The American Heart Association reports that there are about 920,000 heart attacks every year. If you are a smoker, the risk of having a heart attack rises. Cigarette smoke can trigger heart attacks in people with underlying heart disease by causing spasms in the blood vessels or by causing clots. Being a smoker raises your risk.  One way this was proven was in studies of community smoking bans and heart attack rates.  In 2009, two seperate analyses of laws in the United States, Europe and Canada found a dramatic correlation between community smoking bans and reduced number of heart attacks.  These studies found that heart attack rates fall 17% within a year after the smoking bans take effect. 

     One analysis considered eleven studies and appeared in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY.   A second analysis of thirteen studies appeared in CIRCULATION: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.  The CARDIOLOGY paper concluded that public smoking bans could prevent more than 150,000 heart attacks every year.  But those bans may or may not happen.  If you are a smoker thinking about becoming a non-smoker, check out my web site: www.BeaHealthyNonsmoker.com. Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool in becoming a nonsmoker thus lowering your risk for heart attack.

LONELINESS AFTER A DEATH

     A month ago my brother-in-law died after a three year illness.  Roger and his wife, Sue, had been married for over thirty years.  As with many women who married at a young age, Sue has never lived alone.  She went from her parent's home to the home she shared with her husband.  Now her children are grown and she is living alone for the first time in her life.  Sue has wonderful children.  But they have families and homes of their own with big responsibilities for work and children. She is a prime candidate for a side effect of losing a partner -loneliness. 

    Perhaps you know of someone who is also dealing with loneliness.  If you are the child of a person like Sue who has lost a partner, encourage them to find a new activity.  Perhaps you could even accompany that person to a book club meeting or a cooking class.  Encourage them to choose an activity that is truly active rather than passive. Sitting in a lecture or listening to a concert may be entertaining and rewarding but is unlikely to help with the underlying issue of loneliness. Joining a team, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to build a house or the local theater or symphony to be an usher, or hosting part of a progressive dinner with a Sunday School class could be great ways to strengthen old or develop new relationships.

    Often when the partner who has died had been ill for sometime, the surviving partner had been tied down with the responsibility of caretaking for a long period of time.  Their chance to be with others may have been limited.  So don't be shy - encourage family members and old friends to reach out to her.  That may be as simple as a phone call or visit or a request for her to join them in one of their activities.

    Remember mourning is a process and will include sadness and loneliness.  Sometimes it will help for the surviving partner to talk about this with a physician, counselor or therapist.  Hypnotherapy can also be a valuable tool in helping a person to mourn and then move forward to the next stage of life.

TIME TO GET MOVING

     Have you been thinking about starting to exercise?  It's time.  A new study done at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found that even as little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can lengthen your life.  The study followed 416,175 adults' exercise habits for an average of eight years.  The researchers then compared these habits with the participants'  health outcomes.  The reported result was that those who reported exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day extended their expected life span by three years compared to those who did not exercise.  The exercising the participants reported could be as simple as taking a brisk walk.  The study reported by Xifeng Wu, MD, chair, of the department of epidemiology at MD Anderson noted that an even better target for even more significant benefits is a goal of 30 minutes per day.  So it's time to get up and get moving.  If you are having trouble getting started, a motivational session with a clinical hypnotherapist may be just the ticket to get moving.

BE HAPPY

             If you ask most people what they want in their lives, they will give some form of the answer, "I want to be happy and healthy."  And studies have shown those two states are related - happy people lead healthier lives.  So what can we do to encourage happiness?  So many times we fixate on the negatives.  It's time to make it a goal to be happier. 

           Get information from the experts.  Lots and lots of books have been written about happiness. Some favorites are:  HAPPY 4 LIFE by Bob Nozik, MD, THE ART OF HAPPINESS by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, GATEWAY TO HAPPINESS by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin and YOUR BEST LIFE NOW by Joel Osteen. Get the wisdom of people who have spent a great deal of time thinking about how to achieve happiness.

           Once you have done some research, make your commitment to lifelong happiness.  Begin by living in the moment.  There are things in our pasts that we simply can't change. Don't spend your life on "shoulda, woulda, couldas" from the past. If you spend time dwelling on old problems and mistakes that you can't change, you will be unhappy. Think of the past only as a learning tool to stop new mistakes.  If you constantly dwell on the future, worrying about what might happen, you may be focusing on all the things that could go wrong.  These worries also create unhappiness. Use the future as a goal for planning purposes not for worring.  Instead stay in the moment and enjoy all the good things that are happening right now.

          One great way to focus on the moment and the happiness it presents is by having a Gratitude Journal. For years I have kept a simple journal.  Each morning I take a moment to write three or four things I'm grateful for that day.  This builds awareness of all the wonderful things in our lives that so often we ignore or take for granted.  Because I am spiritual I write my journal in prayer form, with the gratitude items taking up most of the page and a prayer request or two at the end of the page.  One of my greatest joys is seeing the requests on one page become the prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude sometime in the future.  Even iff you are not spiritual, a gratitude journal is a wonderful way to build awareness of all the good things in your life.

          Finally, share your life with those around you.  Stay open to new friendships.  Be interested in the people you meet whether they are at a party or standing in line at the grocery store.  Be open to meeting new people - that person may become one of your dearest friends.  Reach out to others - speak to your neighbors, welcome the latest person moving into your neighborhood.  What you radiate out will be reflected back.  Let your friendliness bring friendliness and happiness into your life.

         If happiness simply seems to be beyond you, discuss your feelings with your medical doctor.  You may be suffering from depression.  A therapist or counselor may help you to examine your feelings and how to choose happiness.  Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool in encouraging happiness.  Make the decision to be happy and then go out and actualize happiness in your life.

LOSE WEIGHT, KEEP FRIENDS, USE HYPNOTHERAPY

     A Harvard University study released in November of 2010 gives us a whole new reason for not gaining weight.  The study revealed that your chance of being overweight or obese increases half a percent for every friend you have who is obese.   The study went on to say that the risk of obesity doubles for every four obese friends you have.  This has to be real friends, an obese aquaintance or neighbor does not increase your risk.  A study done in 2007 found that your chances of gaining weight go up, even if the friend lives thousands of miles away.  

    Though no study has been done to figure out why overweight or obese friends can influence your own weight gain, a couple of likely reasons make sense.  First of all, friends are likely to share similar lifestyles and behaviors or have had their friends' lifestyles and behaviors rub on them.  Secondly, if you have a friend who is overweight, your perception of being overweight changes because you are used to a person at that weight.

    So what do you do if you have overweight friends and don't want to gain yourself?  Obviously, you don't want to dump your friends.  Instead, it may be time to share exercise as part of your friendship.  Research out of Oxford finds that friends who exercise together feel less uncomfortable from exertion than doing it alone.  Plus once your friends start to lose weight, your chances of losing weight increase as well.  

    Remember, hypnotherapy can be a great part of a weight loss program. It can help motivate you to get moving and make good choices to lose weight. Enjoy your friends and lose weight!

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND HYPNOTHERAPY

      Just got back from my trip to my high school reunion.  As part of our classes' reunion we attended an Alumni Banquet designed for anyone who had graduated from the school.  The oldest person there graduated in 1934.  Part of the program included speeches from representatives of three honored classes.  I spoke for my class and had a great time reminiscing about my time in that small town and the years we spent together as classmates.  The evening reminded me how many people find public speaking terrifying.  Several people came up to me afterwards and told me they could never do that.  Yes, you can!.  Hypnotherapy can be a great tool to help you overcome public speaking anxiety.

THE USE OF HYPNOTHERAPY WITH CANCER PATIENTS

          As far back as 1992 an article in PSYCHIATRIC MEDICINE 1992: 10 (1): 119-31 had a report on the use of hypnosis with cancer patients based on research done by A.A. Levitan at the University of Minnesota.  The following is an abstract of that research.  ABSTRACT   Hypnosis has proven to be extremely valuable in the treatment of cancer patients.  Specific applications include:  establishing rapport between the patient and members of the medical health team; control of pain with self-regulation of pain perception through the use of glove anesthesia, time distortion, amnesia, transference of pain to a different body part, or dissociation of the painful part from the rest of the body; controlling symptoms, such as, nausea, anticipatory emesis, learned food aversions, etc.; psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, hostility, frustration, isolation, and a diminisehed sense of self-esteem; visualization for health improvement; and dealing with death anxiety and other related issues.  Hypnosis has unique advantages for patients including improvement of self-esteem, involvement in self-care, return of locus of control, lack of unpleasant side effects, and continued efficacy despite continued use."  

QUIT SMOKING AND BITING FINGERNAILS WITH HYPNOTHERAPY

     This is a transcript of a recent phone call I wanted to share with you.  "Hi, Dr. Johnson. This is (client's  name withheld).  I was in to see you about six weeks ago to quit smoking.  It's been an amazing experience. Since I walked out of your office I haven't had an urge at all.  And my fingernails have grown to whole new lengths I've never had before.  I justed wanted to let you know.  Thank you very much.  My son and some friends are coming to see you.  Thanks again.  Have a wonderful day."  Hypnotherapy can help you change old bad habits as well.

FEELING FATIGUED?

      A complaint I hear fairly often in my practice is feeling fatigued.  If you are among those who are "sick and tired of feeling sick and tired", it's time to get some help.  If you are experiencing severe and frequent fatigue, the first step is making an appointment with your medical doctor.  It's likely that you will need a complete medical workup which will include specific tests because fatigue can be caused by hundreds of medical disorders.  Among these are such issues as anemia, diabetes, hepatitis and other liver disorders, infectious mononucleosis, lupus, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid deficiency. Blood work may also identify problems with muscle chemistry, low magnesium, or inflamation  An infection such as chronic sinusitis could also be an underlying reason for fatigue. If a health issue is identified, it may be medically treated to address your fatigue.  But if your doctor cannot identify a specific underlying cause for your fatigue, your medical treatment options are limited.  Your physician will likely advise you to get more and/or improved sleep and exercise more.

     Psychological conditions such as stress or depression may also be the underlying issue in dealing with fatigue. Your energy may be drained by stress.  So many people only think of major stressors such as a death in the family or losing a job.  But dealing with heavy traffic every day on your commute or feeling anxious about a project at work may leaving you feeling exhausted. One of the most overlooked causes of fatigue is depression.  Your medical doctor may treat  these issues with stress-management programs or antidepressants or recommend psychotherapy.

     There are other things you can do to deal with fatigue.  Drink more water to flush out toxins, eat small meals and protein rich foods that provide a steady source of energy.  An herb used by athletes to improve stamina is ginseng.  Many patients have found that the American form of ginseng with at least 5% ginsenosides is of value in dealing with fatigue.  Three nutrients you might find of value are L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium. A daily B-complex vitamin supplement provides energy as well. Consume alcohol in moderation and eliminate caffeine from your diet. 

    Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool in dealing with fatigue.  It can be used to deal with insomnia and help you establish good sleeping habits.  It can be used to reinforce good habits like drinking more water, eating well and exercising more.  Don't give up.  It's time to get rid of fatigue and feel energized.

PREHYPERTENSION AND STROKE RISK

     One of our most feared medical emergencies is that of stroke.  There are two kinds of stroke - ischemic stroke which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked artery and hemorrhagic stroke which is caused by bleeding in the brain.  About 90% of all strokes are ischemic strokes.  When stroke occurs a number of symptoms may manifest including: numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg which likely will occur on one side of the body, trouble speaking or understanding, loss of balance or coordination, confusion, dizziness, and severe headache.

     Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor for stroke.  High blood presure is defined as 140/90 mmHG or above. In 2011 an analysis of data on more than 500,000 people with pre-hypertension (above normal reading of 120/80 but below 140/90 high reading) found that those with pre-hypertension were 55% more likely to have a stroke in the next five to 10 years of their life than those with normal blood pressure.

     Have you had your blood pressure checked recently?  Many grocery stores and pharmacies have a free blood pressure monitor that you can check for yourself.  Until age 65, you should have your blood pressure checked at your doctor at least every other year.  At age 65 and after, you should have it checked annually. Your ideal blood pressure may vary based on your specific medical profile including cholesterol screening, a blood test for C-reactive protein and perhaps an ECG to evaluate your heart health. 

     If you have pre-hypertension, you and your doctor may discuss healthy lifestyle changes including, eating heart-smart foods, cutting fat, losing weight if you're overweight, cutting back on salt, quitting smoking and exercising for at least 30 minutes daily. Other treatments under doctor's supervision may include: low-dose aspirin therapy with dosages ranging from 80 mg (a baby aspirin) to 325 mg (one adult aspirin), supplements of folate and vitamin B6 which lowers elevated levels of homocysteine, fish oil capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids which act as anticlotting agents, or prescription medications.

     Lifestyle modifications can also help to minimize stress which is often a precursor to pre-hypertension.  Taking a vacation can help relieve stress that can endanger your health.  Researchers found that men ages 35 to 57 who took a yearly vacation were one-third less likely to die from heart disease than those who did not take a vacation.  Controlling anger will also protect you from stroke and heart disease.  A study of 13,000 people found that those who angered quickly were three times as likely to have a heart attack than their more laid-back friends.  Spending time with friends in quiet conversation, taking a walk, saying a prayer, exercising or meditating can all give you that "time out" you need to minimize stress.  Hypnotherapy can be a great tool for dealing with stress and encouraging you to take care of yourself. By using these tools you can bring those numbers down and the risk of heart disease and stroke as well.

HYPNOTHERAPY AND LIFE WITH CANCER

      Many cancer survivors know there are a number of complementary aids to the medical management of cancer including exercise, meditation, art for wellness and journaling.  Another powerful tool in coping with cancer -- hypnosis.  Have you ever seen hypnosis demonstrated?  In the past, many people associated it with stage presentations showing people quacking like a duck.  However, clinical hypnotherapy is a very different 'animal'.  Hypnotherapy is the responsible use of hypnosis and has been used for centuries to relieve pain.  It has been approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) since the 1950's.  More recent uses of hypnotherapy are to aid people in quitting smoking, losing weight and motivation. 

     On Thursday, June 21, 2012, I will be speaking to the Life with Cancer group about how hypnosis works and how hypnotherapy can be a great tool for use with cancer patients both prior to and during treatment. The seminar will include an opportunity to ask questions of someone who has used hypnotherapy in dealing with their own cancer. Hypnotherapy can be another way to help make day-to-day life with cancer easier.

HAPPINESS AND OLD FRIENDS

     This Saturday is an important day in my life.  I will be attending an important high school reunion - important because it is a significant "mile-marker" year, but even more important because it will give class members a chance to once again connect.  I was very fortunate to be raised in a small mid-western town and went through twelve years of school with the same 50 plus people.  We built wonderful memories together that have transcended time and place.  There is a real sense of connection to seeing people who have known you longer than anyone else and share those same memories.  I hope you, too, have old friends with whom you can share memories, connections and happiness.

MEDICAL HYPNOSIS

     There was a recent article in The Wall Street Journal about medical hypnosis. It describes some of the ways hypnosis is being used with medical issues.  One patient, a New York psychologist found that hypnosis helped put her at ease before biopsies, MRIs and surgeries.  David Spiegel, a psychiatrist and director of the Center for Health and Stress at Stanford University, was quoted as saying, "We can teach people how to manage pain and anxiety.  There's been this mistake in medicine that if you have a certain amount of tissue damage, you should feel this amount of pain.  But many things can alter how much pain you feel."

     Today, hypnosis is used in a variety of medical situations from diminishing side effects from chemotherapy to easing migraine headaches.  Other medical issues worked with in hypnosis include, minimizing hot flashes, lowering blood pressure, controlling asthma attacks, and easing symptoms of irritable bowel symptoms.

     Burn victims, cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers may all find hypnosis another tool in dealing with their health issues.  As with any health or medical issue, I choose to work with a client on referral from their medical doctor.  No competent hypnotherapist would chose to disguise pain that might be a symptom of a serious health issue.  A client once asked me to help relieve her chronic headaches with the use of hypnosis..  I told her once I had a medical referral I would be happy to work with her.  When she went to her doctor for her referral, it turned out she had a large (thankfully benign) brain tumor.  She needed surgery and once it was performed she no longer had the headaches. 

     Think of hypnosis as another tool in your toolbox in working with your medical issue.  Find a trained hypnotherapist who has experience with medical hypnosis.  One Stanford study concluded that a hypnotic suggestion in the mind can have measurable effects in the body.  A study from Harvard Medical School reported patients who had 15 minutes of hypnosis before surgery needed not less pain medication but even took less time in surgery.  With a referral from your medical doctor and an experienced hypnotherapist, hypnosis could help you with your health problems.

HPNOTHERAPY FOR MARIJAUNA USE WITH TEENS

     A report by the Partnership at Drugfree.org was released yesterday on a survey that more teens are smoking marijuana.  Nearly one in ten teens surveyed reported smoking pot 20 or more times a month.  That rate went from five percent in 2008 to nine percent in 2011.  That means about 1.5 million teens are smoking marijuana frequently.

      The report also reported on the use of harder drugs including cocaine and methamphetamine.  The use of those has stabilized according to the report.  Abuse of prescription medicine is still high but may be easing among high school students.  The big drug use growth was definitely in the four percent increase in  past-month usage of marijuana.

      Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool to help teenagers quit smoking marijuana.  Like all substance abuse issues, the user must want to stop.  If you or your child is ready to stop smoking marijuana, explore hypnotherapy as a way of making that change.