Emerging Hopes: Managing ADHD with Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has emerged as a complementary tool in the management of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, symptoms may persist into adulthood. The disorder has multiple etiological factors, including genetics, environmental influences, and parenting styles, which shape the degree of impairment experienced by the individual.
ADHD treatment typically includes behavioural therapies, medication, and lifestyle modifications. However, by the late 1990s, scientists figured that “Traditional treatments consisting of powerful side effect-laden psychostimulant drugs and/or complex costly behavioural modification programs are at best symptom-focused and palliative in nature” Treating ADHD with Hypnosis and Neurotherapy. (Barabasz, Arreed et al, 1999-Aug).1 This led to a search for other means to help ADHD. Soon, hypnotherapy was gaining attention as a complementary approach due to its ability to enhance focus, emotional regulation, and impulse control through subconscious interventions.
Causes and Contributing Factors of ADHD
Genetics: ADHD is highly heritable, with studies suggesting that 70-80% of the disorder’s risk is genetic. Variations in dopamine-related genes (e.g., DRD4, DAT1) play a key role, in affecting reward processing and attention regulation.
Brain Development and Neurobiology: ADHD is associated with delays in brain maturation and lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as planning, attention, and impulse control. Neuroimaging studies show dopamine and norepinephrine dysregulation, impacting motivation and emotional regulation.
Environmental Factors and Parenting Styles: Parental stress, harsh discipline, and neglect can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, while inconsistent routines may contribute to difficulties in emotional regulation. Early childhood experiences, including exposure to prenatal stress, low birth weight, and maternal substance use during pregnancy, have been linked to increased ADHD risk
Impact of Upbringing and Family Dynamics: Overly permissive or authoritarian parenting styles can hinder the development of self-regulation, exacerbating symptoms. ADHD also impacts family dynamics, often causing parental burnout and strained relationships, which can further intensify symptoms. Conversely, structured parenting with emotional warmth and positive reinforcement helps children develop coping skills.
ADHD Through the Lens of Hypnotherapy
ADHD symptoms are thought to arise from dysregulation in the brain’s executive function, involving impaired dopamine transmission and delayed development of the prefrontal cortex. Individuals with ADHD struggle with attention control, emotional regulation, and impulse management. Hypnotherapy, which facilitates access to subconscious processes, can help reprogram limiting beliefs, improve focus, and foster emotional balance.
Hypnotherapy Benefits in ADHD Management
Hypnotherapy leverages the mind’s natural ability to enter focused and relaxed states. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals with ADHD by addressing emotional dysregulation, improving self-discipline, and enhancing cognitive flexibility.
Addressing Emotional Dysregulation: People with ADHD often experience intense emotional swings. Hypnosis allows clients to reframe negative thoughts and anchor positive emotional states, building emotional resilience. Guided imagery and age regression techniques allow clients to revisit emotionally triggering moments, reframing them in a way that reduces impulsive behaviour.
Relaxation Induction to Manage Hyperactivity: ADHD is often associated with heightened nervous system arousal, resulting in fidgeting and restlessness. Inducing a state of relaxation helps reduce physiological arousal and promotes calmness. Focusing on triggers of frustration or hyperactivity helps reduce automatic reactions, promoting greater emotional awareness and impulse control.
Better Impulse Control: Anchoring Techniques of Hypnotherapy help to manage Impulsivity. It helps you associate calmness with specific stimuli. For example, anchoring relaxation to a deep breath can empower individuals to pause and reflect before acting impulsively.
Enhancing Focus and Attention: Hypnotherapy works by anchoring attention to sensory experiences, improving the individual’s capacity for sustained focus. Focused Attention Training (Visualization): Visualization strengthens the brain’s ability to concentrate on single tasks. Hypnosis can guide individuals to imagine performing daily tasks with focus and clarity.
Example: A child with ADHD may visualize completing homework step-by-step while staying engaged. Techniques such as future pacing and progressive relaxation can help clients visualize themselves successfully completing tasks, reinforcing focused behaviour at a subconscious level.
Building Self-Esteem and Positive Identity: Children and adults with ADHD frequently struggle with self-esteem due to academic and social challenges. Hypnotherapy can help by reinforcing positive affirmations and self-beliefs.
Many ADHD clients struggle with self-doubt and frustration due to past failures in academic or social contexts. Hypnosis can provide positive affirmations to improve self-worth. Hypnotic suggestions promoting a growth mindset enable individuals to reframe setbacks, fostering resilience and motivation.
Sleep Regulation for ADHD Clients with Insomnia: ADHD is often associated with sleep difficulties. Hypnotherapy can assist by inducing relaxation and reducing racing thoughts, promoting better sleep hygiene. Hypnosis has shown promise in managing ADHD-related insomnia by calming the mind before bedtime, addressing the underlying hyperarousal and establishing positive sleep patterns.
Time Management and Executive Functioning Skills: Hypnosis can guide individuals to visualize future tasks, reinforcing planning and organization. This technique helps those with ADHD learn how to manage their time effectively.
• Example: Hypnotherapists might walk clients through a day in advance, mentally rehearsing tasks to stay on track.
Neuroscience and Hypnosis in ADHD
Research shows that ADHD involves imbalances in the brain’s default mode network (DMN), leading to difficulties in switching from task-unrelated thoughts to task-focused ones. Hypnosis can help train the brain to disengage from the DMN and engage more efficiently in goal-directed activities.
• Brainwave entrainment: Hypnosis encourages alpha and theta brainwave states, which improve focus, memory, and emotional regulation. Studies have found that individuals with ADHD benefit from training in these brainwave patterns.
• Neuroplasticity and habit change: Hypnotherapy promotes neuroplasticity, encouraging the formation of new thought patterns and behaviors. Over time, this helps rewire the brain to reduce symptoms such as procrastination and inattentiveness.
Hypnotherapy Customization for ADHD Subtypes
ADHD manifests in three primary subtypes—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentation. Hypnotherapy should be tailored accordingly:
• Inattentive Type: Focus on improving concentration, memory, and task-follow-through.
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Emphasize relaxation techniques and impulse control.
• Combined Type: Integrate both attention-enhancing and relaxation techniques.
Research on Hypnotherapy for ADHD
While research on hypnotherapy for ADHD is still emerging, evidence supports its use for related symptoms such as anxiety, emotional regulation, and behavioural control. Several studies highlight the potential benefits of hypnotherapy for ADHD:
“Oakley and Halligan have suggested that it is worth studying hypnosis also as a neurocognitive rehabilitation tool. Psychosocial treatments have proven to be beneficial in treating adult ADHD. The most studied treatment is CBT. The focus on CBT treatments is on compensatory strategies, altering dysfunctional thoughts and attitudes, and improving metacognition. In one existing study in adults with ADHD, hypnotherapy was as effective as CBT but there was a better long-term outcome for hypnotherapy than for CBT”
– Read full research – National Library of Medicine
•A 2016 study found that hypnotherapy improved self-regulation and task persistence in children with ADHD.
• Research on neurofeedback combined with hypnosis showed improvements in concentration and reduction of impulsive behaviors.
•Research has demonstrated that mind-body interventions, including hypnotherapy, are effective in managing emotional dysregulation—a key challenge in ADHD management.
• Hypnosis was shown to decrease anxiety, which often co-occurs with ADHD, further enhancing attention and self-regulation.
•Studies on self-hypnosis have shown that children with ADHD who practice regularly experience improved concentration and fewer behavioural issues over time.
•Hypnosis improves attention and reduces hyperactivity in children with ADHD when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). While another 2014 study revealed, “Better long-term outcome for hypnotherapy than for CBT in adults with ADHD: Results of a six-month follow-up.”(Hiltunen, Maarit Virta et al. January 2014)2
While more large-scale studies are needed, preliminary evidence suggests that hypnotherapy can be an effective adjunct to traditional ADHD treatment.
Suggestive Case Example of Hypnotherapy in ADHD: A 10-year-old boy diagnosed with ADHD struggled with focus and frequent classroom disruptions. During hypnotherapy sessions, the therapist guided him through visualizing himself sitting quietly and completing assignments step-by-step. A breathing anchor was introduced to manage hyperactivity, and the boy practised this technique at school. After six weeks of hypnotherapy, his teacher reported significant improvements in behaviour and task completion.
Case 2: A 10-year-old boy with ADHD struggling with emotional outbursts learned self-hypnosis to calm himself before class. His teacher reported significant improvements in focus within a few months.
Case 3: A college student with ADHD used hypnotherapy to enhance concentration during exams. Through visualization exercises, she reduced her anxiety and improved her test performance.
Case 4: A working parent with ADHD used anchor techniques to remain composed during stressful meetings. Hypnotherapy helped her develop better time management skills and self-awareness, improving both her work and home life.
Hypnotherapy offers a complementary approach to ADHD treatment by enhancing focus, managing hyperactivity, and promoting emotional balance. Through techniques such as relaxation induction, visualization, ego-strengthening, and anchoring, hypnotherapy empowers clients to build new habits and regulate their behavior. While not a standalone cure, it can significantly improve outcomes when integrated with behavioral therapies and medication.
This framework provides a practical approach for hypnotherapists working with ADHD clients, ensuring they can tailor sessions to meet individual needs while supporting long-term behaviour change.
Holistic Approach in handling ADHD
Every problem or aliment has a Karmic component just as it has a behavioural component among many more. So we advise every new person who comes to us for healing to address this part as well.
There are two ways of handling this Karmic baggage, the first is the traditional method of Past life Regression Therapy or PLR, where you access your past lives in a meditative state through hypnosis and heal not just the karma but also the trauma imprints coming from there. Read more
The second is an easier method in which the healer accesses your past lives and heals them psychically. Read more.
We believe once the Karmic component of an ailment or issue is healed, we have better chances of success using any other modality of healing. Be it hypnotherapy, traditional allopathic medicine or even surgery. You would have seen that often, and we don’t have the right karma. It is so hard to find the right doctor and if it is your time to heal, you will heal through a simple herb. If we have the karma to heal we heal faster.
However, this approach remains optional as we understand that not everybody believes in past lives or the concept of karma.
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