Hypnotherapy can't cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but specific Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy GDH is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence NICE as an effective treatment for IBS.

Their advice is that gut-directed hypnotherapy is used in conjunction with other approaches, such as medication and modifying your diet. It isn't meant to be used as a replacement or alternative to other approaches and treatments.

How does hypnotherapy for IBS work?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy can directly improve the primary symptoms of IBS such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. It can also help with the secondary symptoms that affect people's quality of life, such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

How long will the effects of hypnotherapy for IBS last?

The research into gut-directed hypnotherapy followed up patients over a number of years. The results showed that most people remained well for up to five years after the treatment. It's partly this long-term success that prompted the NICE recommendation, as it makes the treatment extremely cost effective.

Are there some patients who are better suited to hypnotherapy for IBS?

Gut directed hypnotherapy appears to be especially suited to cases where chronic symptoms continue after a number of other approaches have been unsuccessful. It may be though that these are just those cases where the effect of the hypnotherapy is most evident.

As for types of patients then research shows that women tend to have slightly more success with gut directed hypnotherapy than men.

Does providing hypnotherapy for IBS mean it's all in the mind?

Not at all - in fact recent research indicates that IBS has an organic component, and isn't a 'functional' illness.  Instead IBS is considered a 'biopsychosocial' disorder where the interaction between the mind and the body can produce and magnify symptoms.  Whilst IBS isn't caused by stress it is made worse by stress, and gut- directed hypnotherapy is aimed at changing the way the brain controls the gut.

Can I access hypnotherapy for IBS on the NHS?

Depending where you live, and the services commissioned by your Clinical Commissioning Group CCG you may be able to access hypnotherapy for IBS on the NHS.  It isn't universally available however and you may choose to see a hypnotherapist privately instead.

In choosing a hypnotherapist it's important to make sure that your hypnotherapist has experience and success specifically in gut directed hypnotherapy.  The search function and profiles on welldoing.org allow you to do this very easily.

What can I expect during hypnotherapy for IBS?

A course of hypnotherapy for IBS normally lasts 12 weeks, with a one hour session every week.  These will follow the overall structure of

• an introduction to your gut and hypnosis
• gut-directed hypnotherapy
• hand warmth
• gut imagery
• mental rehearsal