Hypnotherapy for ADHD: Can It Help Adults Manage Their Symptoms?

It is estimated by ADHD UK that three million people in the UK have ADHD. Many are still waiting for a diagnosis.

The World Health Organisation defines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that negatively affects academic, occupational or social functioning beyond the variation expected for a person's age and level of intellectual functioning.

ADHD can affect far more than attention, impulse control and activity levels. It can influence motivation, organisation, emotional regulation, sleep, eating habits, relationships, confidence, the ability to follow through on intentions, and overall enjoyment and quality of life.

Despite this, people with ADHD have great strengths such as being dynamic, having great determination, creativity, spontaneity and energy when they are motivated! These qualities and more can be sadly forgotten about when faced with the self-esteem struggles leading up to and following diagnosis.

In my practice, I see more and more people who either have an ADHD diagnosis or suspect they have ADHD and are seeking an assessment. I also know people personally with ADHD and am continually motivated to understand it better and help people navigate its ups and downs.

Is hypnotherapy suitable for people with ADHD?

There isn’t enough robust research to establish how effective hypnotherapy is for people with ADHD. However, I have worked with many clients with ADHD and, in my experience, they often respond well to hypnotherapy.

One possible explanation is that some people with ADHD experience unusually intense absorption in activities that interest them. This is often called hyperfocus. It can involve becoming so engrossed in a task that time passes unnoticed, other demands fade into the background and it becomes difficult to switch attention elsewhere.

Interestingly, psychological research has found an association between absorption and hypnotisability. In psychology, absorption describes a tendency to become deeply engaged in sensory, imaginative, emotional or cognitive experiences, such as being immersed in music, a film, a memory or a fantasy, to the point that the experience feels unusually vivid and the outside world recedes.

This raises an interesting possibility: if someone can become deeply absorbed in an experience, might they also respond well to hypnotic techniques? ADHD-related hyperfocus is not necessarily the same psychological trait as absorption, and we do not yet know whether it makes someone more responsive to hypnosis. However, I have observed what seems to be a helpful overlap in my own clients.

On the other hand, hyperactivity and restlessness can make it more difficult for some people to settle into a hypnotic experience. I have had one client who found it difficult to relax sufficiently to experience the full session.

Overall, I see no reason why having ADHD should prevent someone from benefiting from hypnotherapy. In my experience, it may even be an advantage for some clients. Others may find relaxation more challenging, so the approach needs to be adapted to the individual.

Does hypnotherapy improve ADHD symptoms?

In my own clinical experience, hypnotherapy can help people manage some of the difficulties associated with ADHD. But is this supported by research?

This is an under-researched area, although one particularly interesting study is entitled 'Better long-term outcome for hypnotherapy than for CBT in adults with ADHD: results of a six-month follow-up' (Hiltunen et al., 2014).

The researchers compared cognitive hypnotherapy with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in adults with ADHD. Participants received ten weekly individual sessions. The hypnotherapy programme included work on calming, motivation, attention, initiating activities, memory and self-esteem, alongside individually selected topics such as social fears, impulsivity and anger management.

Participants were assessed after treatment and at three and six month follow-ups. Measures included ADHD symptoms, other psychological symptoms, depression and quality of life, as well as an independent clinical evaluation.

Both groups reported improvements following treatment, with some benefits maintained at follow-up. The hypnotherapy group showed more favourable outcomes than the CBT group on certain follow-up measures, including some measures of psychological symptoms and depression. Overall the hypnotherapy group had improved psychological wellbeing, depression and anxiety.

The researchers suggested several possible explanations for the findings, including the therapeutic relationship, expectations of treatment and the possibility that hypnosis may help reinforce positive thoughts and beliefs. The researchers also theorised that the deep relation experience of hypnosis may influence hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, which could be an empowering experience for people with ADHD. Also hypnosis may exercise brain’s executive functions and emotional regulation. These were all theories and not proven mechanisms.

There are important limitations. Only eight participants in the hypnotherapy group and nine in the CBT group contributed to the six-month follow-up analysis. There was no control group during the follow-up period, and the small sample makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions or generalise the findings to all adults with ADHD.

Larger, independent studies are needed to establish whether it can reliably improve ADHD symptoms and how it compares with established treatments.

Hypnotherapy as a complementary approach for ADHD

If you have ADHD, please let me know on your client intake form when you book. We can discuss your background, symptoms and goals in our first session so that I can tailor the approach to your needs.

If you are seeking hypnotherapy for another issue, ADHD does not have to be an obstacle. It is possible that you will respond well to hypnotherapy, although this varies from person to person.

If you would like help managing difficulties associated with ADHD, hypnotherapy may be a useful complementary approach. It does not replace specialist assessment, prescribed medication or other medical and psychological care where these are appropriate.

A personalised programme may help you to:

• Reinforce new habits and lifestyle changes

• Guided you to into relaxation to calm the mind and stabilise mood

• Create more calm and less stress - reducing friction and regulating emotions

• Build self-esteem and help you to know that you are good enough

• Manage impulsivity and develop tools to become aware of manage triggers and behaviours

• Anger management

• Help you support yourself in the long term and with self-relaxation and self-hypnosis

The aims will depend on your individual circumstances and what you want to achieve. We can discuss which approaches are most appropriate for you.

Please contact me if you would like to find out more.

References

Hiltunen, S., Virta, M., Salakari, A., Antila, M., Chydenius, E., Kaski, M., Vataja, R., Iivanainen, M. and Partinen, M. (2014). 'Better long-term outcome for hypnotherapy than for CBT in adults with ADHD: results of a six-month follow-up'. Contemporary Hypnosis & Integrative Therapy, 30(3), 118–134.

Tellegen, A. and Atkinson, G. (1974). 'Openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences (“absorption”), a trait related to hypnotic susceptibility'. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83(3), 268–277.