All about epilepsy: 

When a seizure, a brief interruption in the signal transmission in the brains, strikes unexpectedly, epilepsy is the result. Each person experiences seizures differently, both in terms of quantity and intensity. The issue is sometimes given a cause, and other times it is not. Anti-epileptic drugs are frequently administered as part of routine medical treatment. About 35% of patients do not respond in a satisfactory manner, which is why individuals look for additional alternative treatments. The book Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy provides a thorough discussion of alternative epilepsy treatments. Three professors of medicine wrote this book. There are numerous alternative therapies explored and assessed. Among them are: Ayurveda, acupuncture, neurofeedback therapy, and meditation. Several points raised in this book encourage readers to consider using hypnosis for epilepsy very seriously. 

According to the authors of Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy, hypnosis should be avoided by patients. The shows and movies that feature hypnosis are a contributing factor to this issue. When used by a qualified hypnotherapist, the authors view hypnosis as a safe kind of therapy. It is crucial to use relaxation inductions for induction procedures rather than inductions that involve a shocking aspect or shock inductions. The hypnotherapist must be careful not to invoke circumstances that the patient is aware will cause a seizure. A healthy diet is also very crucial and the person should not be under any influence of drugs, certain medications or alcohol as this could in fact trigger an epileptic fit during the session. Moreover the person must be gently and slowly brought out of their trance.

Seizures may occur as a result of the neurological condition epilepsy. It is a collection of illnesses rather than a disease. No of their age or gender, everyone can be affected. A neurological condition called epilepsy is characterized by recurring seizures. When the brain experiences an unusual spike in electrical activity, a seizure happens.

There are four categories of seizures:

1. Grand Mal Seizure - are characterised by severe muscular contractions and loss of consciousness 
2. Petit Mal Seizure - You can blank out or stare into space during an absence seizure for a few minutes 
3. Absence Seizure - Hyperventilation may result in this kind of seizure 
4. Atypical Seizure - Both cerebral hemispheres frequently experience these seizures

Generalised seizures are more severe than partial seizures. Focused and generalised epilepsy are the two basic forms. While generalized epilepsy begins in both hemispheres of the brain, focal epilepsy occurs when the seizure only affects one area of the brain.

Apart from the occasional seizure, the majority of persons with focal epilepsy do not have any negative side effects. On the other hand, people who have seizures that originate from a specific region on one side of their brain may suffer from cognitive problems as a result of damage to that region, like difficulties speaking clearly or understanding information.

Will hypnosis cause a seizure? 

A study was made where a hypnotist intentionally put children under hypnosis to induce seizures while their brains were being watched to determine the best course of treatment for them. The children were first instructed to imagine themselves in a pleasant setting before being asked to recall what often takes place just before a seizure. Once the seizure had finished, they were then returned to the happy setting.

In that trial, there were no epileptic episodes at all. Numerous hypnotherapists have successfully treated epileptic patients in regular practice without inducing seizures. Other sessions dealt with other aspects of life, while others were centered on lessening the frequency or intensity of seizures.

However, seizures during hypnosis are possible for a number of reasons. First of all, the person could have a hidden medical issue, mental health issues or under the influence. Most hypnotists now do not use eye fixation, spinning discs, or flashing lights as these could also trigger a seizure to happen. Second, it's possible that accessing very strong emotions could result in a seizure. There are ways to lessen the feelings experienced when under hypnosis, and if numerous relaxation techniques are employed, this possibility should be minimized.

A excellent approach to manage stress is through hypnotherapy, which can also help prevent seizures. A hypnotherapist can customise a session for a patient if they are aware of their medical background.

How can clinical hypnosis aid in the treatment of epilepsy?

Epilepsy modifies the electrical signals in the brain. Because it interferes with a person's daily life, epilepsy can be a very crippling condition. Some people think that specific actions, including using drugs or being stressed, can cause seizures. As previously noted, it is possible to teach patients how to manage their behaviour and lessen seizures through clinical hypnosis.

However because of all the risk factors that are at play, hypnotherapy is not recommend for anyone who has epilepsy as it could be potentially life threatening and harmful to the patient.  

References:
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https://hypnosementor.nl/en/the-use-of-hypnosis-with-epilepsy/
(Credit: BRO.vector/Shutterstock)
https://www.sharonstiles.co.uk/blog/hypnosis-and-epilepsy.asp
https://www.hypnosissanfrancisco.com/post/clinical-hypnosis-to-help-those-with-epilepsy
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