Clients say all kinds of things when they first come to see me seeking help with a challenge they are experiencing or a change they want to make:
“I haven’t been able to get a good night’s sleep for years.”
“I just want to be free of the chains of smoking.”
“I’m so anxious since Covid, I can’t drive on the freeways.”
One of my favorite comments is, “I’ve tried everything else, doctors, therapists, acupuncture, reiki, TV remedies, you are my LAST RESORT.”
I had a client like this a few months ago. He had had a cough for over twenty years and he had tried everything, including most recently, the Mayo Clinic. He had entered what I call the LAST RESORT ZONE. His cough was serious, it seemed to start at the bottom of his chest and come all the way up. He would have to pause, take a few minutes and have something to drink to calm down the cough.
Along the way, he had learned all about coughing. In the medical / psychology literature, the terms Habit Cough or Psychogenic Cough have been in use since at least 2004. More recently (2015) the term Somatic Cough Syndrome was introduced. Some common causes of coughs include:
upper respiratory infections
asthma
allergies
post nasal drip
pneumonia
pollution
Testing can confirm or rule out these causes. However, when testing does not confirm an underlying cause, Habit Cough might be the diagnosis by exclusion.
In our first session we reviewed his history of tests and attempts to resolve the coughing; I explained how hypnotherapy works; we came up with a set of affirmations for him; we established an anchor he could use when he felt the urge to cough and I hypnotized him.
He came in for his next session a few weeks later, very surprised. His cough was gone. Gone!
Three key take-aways from this story:
When medical diagnostic testing has ruled out underlying causes for a recurring physical symptom like a cough or stomach ache, the symptom may have become a subconsciously triggered habitual behavior for you
Evidence based research has shown that hypnotherapy can often help to improve or even fully resolve such habits
While it is recommended that other types and causes of coughs be ruled out first by appropriate testing, you don’t necessarily have to enter the LAST RESORT ZONE before you give hypnotherapy a try.
Is there something you have been struggling with and have not been able to take care of with traditional methods or therapies? Why not give hypnotherapy a chance?
Sound interesting? Give me a call 818-929-4944 to set up a session or join my free Hypnotherapy Q & A every Wednesday at 10 am PST.
You can register here.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lfu6trjIvGNZ8XkMGblRSB97cmXEKVT6p
Sincerely,
Cinda
HypnoNews and Resources
For more information, please refer to the following excellent articles covering the history, research, diagnosis and treatment of Habit Cough, Psychogenic Cough and Somatic Cough Syndrome.
How do you treat habit cough with hypnosis
https://www.centerpointmedicine.com/blog/how-do-you-treat-habit-cough-with-hypnosis
Somatic cough syndrome or psychogenic cough – what is the difference?
https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/12440
Management and Diagnosis of Psychogenic Cough Habit Cough and Tic Cough