HYPNOSIS TO HELP CHILDREN AND adolescents HELP THEMSELVES

Doctor Agathe Buzzi, a specialist in medical hypnosis, works throughout Ticino, guaranteeing high-level services to patients of all ages. She receives patients at her practice locations in Biasca, Locarno, Lugano and Sementina. Medical hypnosis is a highly effective therapeutic treatment that can be adapted to meet the needs of even the youngest child, helping them to overcome various emotional and psychological problems and thus enhancing their well-being.

How does hypnosis work with children?

Children are particularly sensitive to hypnosis due to their natural inclination towards imagination, fantasy and creativity. Hypnosis allows them to discover a “safe place” where they feel calm and protected. This is a pleasant experience which can help any child to become aware of their hidden “inner resources” in order to promote their growth and well-being.

From what age can children benefit from medical hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy can be difficult to apply before the age of 3. The most suitable age to begin enjoying the benefits of hypnosis is from 6 to 15 years, when children are better able to understand and actively participate in the process.

What is a therapist?

Medical hypnosis is a discipline recognised by the FMH (Federation of Swiss Doctors) as a specialism requiring advanced training. So hypnotherapy can only be performed by qualified professionals, such as doctors, psychologists and dentists who have completed a specific training course.

Is hypnotherapy available under health insurance?

Yes, claims for medical hypnosis sessions are reimbursed by health insurance companies, provided they are performed by FMH-accredited therapists who are adequately trained.

How long does hypnotherapy last?

The duration of hypnotherapy will always depend on the nature and complexity of the problem to be addressed. The duration of any treatment will be agreed with the therapist. Medical hypnosis is a scientifically proven therapy that requires commitment and consistency to produce results, and should never ever be confused with popular entertainment or esoteric practices.

SLEEP DISORDERS

Sleep disorders in children and adolescents can arise in different ways. Insomnia can manifest itself, for example, with difficulty falling asleep, frequent night-time waking or early awakening, compromising rest and influencing school life and sports activities. In children, this is often accompanied by nightmares and fears, while in adolescents such issues can derive from an alteration of the rhythms between weekdays and weekends, or from excessive exposure to screens and technology. Since drugs should always be avoided, especially in the youngest, hypnosis can offer extremely valuable and effective support. For example, targeted techniques such as stimulus-control therapy and sleep-restriction therapy can help to re-establish an appropriate sleep-wake cycle. Furthermore, muscle relaxation and the use of imagination helps to promote peaceful sleep. In addition, adolescents can learn about self-hypnosis in order to manage the problem independently.

Enuresis and continence disorders

Enuresis, or involuntary bladder control during sleep, is a common problem in children over 5 years old. It is defined as primary when the child has never been dry, and secondary if it appears after a period of continence. Excluding organic causes such as infections or malformations, it is important to remember that this is not a disease but an involuntary phenomenon that, if not addressed, can lead to shame and social isolation. The same goes for faecal continence disorders, which are even more difficult to hide. Hypnotherapy helps a child to better understand and control their body, reducing the need for drugs and allowing them to handle any problems with greater serenity.

Concentration disorders (school and sports activities)

Performance anxiety and competition are causing more and more young people to suffer from concentration difficulties. Lack of attention negatively affects school and sports results, generating a vicious circle of failure and frustration. Here, hypnotherapy can help to focus attention and energy on objectives, thus improving mental preparation for exams and competitions. According to recent studies, hypnotic techniques positively influence learning processes, while in sports medicine they allow technical movements to be perfected first at a mental and then at a physical level.

Fears and phobias

Children tend to develop fears of various kinds, such as a fear of the dentist, injections, or certain animals. Sometimes these are the result of negative experiences, while other cases may completely defy explanation. School phobia is a specific type of phobia characterised by intense anxiety, stomach ache, or vomiting at the mere thought of going to school. In such instances, hypnotherapy can be an invaluable aid, helping the child to become aware of such fears and then to overcome them by transforming these symptoms into manageable sensations.

Functional abdominal pain

When a child complains of abdominal pain that cannot be traced back to obvious organic causes, this is termed functional abdominal pain - a problem that affects up to 30% of children between the ages of 4 and 16. This condition presents a particularly uncomfortable situation for paediatricians, who often find themselves torn between minimising the disorder and prescribing a series of invasive tests that may also require the use of an operating room. Here again, hypnotherapy offers an effective therapeutic alternative, as demonstrated by studies that highlight its role in reducing the need for exploratory surgical interventions.

Hyperactivity and attention deficit

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour, which can manifest itself in different ways; for example, some children are particularly susceptible to distractions, while others are unable to sit still and control their actions.

ADHD often coexists with other problems such as anxiety, learning disabilities and conduct disorders. Within a multidisciplinary approach, Ericksonian hypnotherapy can help children develop greater concentration and self-control.

Speech disorders (stuttering)

Stuttering is a speech disorder that appears in childhood and then, in some cases, resolves spontaneously. Between the ages of 3 and 6, it is considered physiological, but when it persists it can compromise communication and social relationships, impacting school and professional life. According to the WHO, those who stutter know exactly what they want to say, but their communication becomes blocked by repetitions, prolongations and/or involuntary stops. Numerous historical figures and icons of the entertainment world have lived with this difficulty, demonstrating that it does not preclude success; the list includes, for example, Moses, Aristotle, Newton and Marilyn Monroe. In addition to speech therapy techniques, hypnosis and relaxation can help manage the stress associated with stuttering, thus interrupting the vicious circle of anxiety prompting speech difficulties. Specific hypnotic exercises can help speakers to better control the muscles involved in the articulation of sounds.

Stop Sucking Your Thumb

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex, though after the age of 4 it can become a harmful habit which produces negative effects on dental growth and the chewing action. It is often an unconscious response linked to a state of discomfort, which can persist even in school age children, causing embarrassment and social isolation. Similar behaviours are also found in adolescents and adults, such as repeatedly touching one's hair while speaking. Hypnosis has proven to be effective in interrupting these habits in a natural and lasting way.

Onicofagia

Biting your nails is an often unconscious habit which is acquired at particular moments in life. In addition to the aesthetic impact, it can cause infections of the fingers and problems with dental occlusion. Hypnosis helps to permanently eliminate this behaviour, usually in a short time, thus restoring a patient's control over their own actions.

Travel sickness (motion sickness)

Travel sickness, also known as motion sickness, affects many children while travelling by car or boat, causing nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

Although there are preventive drugs, hypnosis offers a more natural and effective solution. Via suggestion techniques, a child learns to visualise a trip in advance, thus strengthening their defences and reducing the symptoms.

Tics and manias

Tics are involuntary and repetitive movements, such as blinking, clearing the throat or grimacing, and can be triggered by stress or discomfort. They are sub-divided into motor, vocal and behavioural tics, and attempting to suppress them can cause painful muscle tension. After excluding neurological causes, hypnotherapy has proved to be an invaluable aid in effectively managing and reducing such disorders. Manias, on the other hand, are normal actions performed obsessively, such as constantly washing one's hands or perfectly aligning objects; while these are not always pathological in origin, they can significantly compromise one's quality of life. Hypnosis can help to reduce these behaviours and bring them back to a manageable level.

Skin diseases

Many skin conditions have a psychosomatic component: so stress and negative emotions can trigger or worsen the symptoms. After an accurate dermatological analysis, hypnosis can prove a valuable support which can reduce the impact of disorders such as itching, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria and trichotillomania (the urge to pull out hair). Some studies suggest hypnosis can even stimulate the immune system and thus improve the body's response to viral skin infections, especially in children.

Warts

Warts are caused by a viral infection and can affect both children and adults. Although there are several therapies (salicylic acid, cryotherapy, laser) none guarantee results, and warts can often regress spontaneously. Some research suggests that hypnotherapy can help the regression of warts through suggestion, stimulating a more effective immune response: In a study focused on children with warts on their hands and feet, simulating an irradiation therapy (without the use of any real rays) led to healing in 55% of cases. This method exploits the mind's ability to influence the body, offering a possible alternative solution in cases resistant to traditional treatments.