International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

230 INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
traumatic memories and feelings became an essential part in Laura's treatment.
In the following sessions, Laura was exposed under hypnosis to her traumatic
memories and feelings, until extinction of the intensity of the emotions was
reached see Vanderlinden & Vandereycken, 1997). Meanwhile, she was invited
to comfort herself as a child and to provide support whenever she felt lonely
and rejected. The therapy lasted for about 2 years. At a 1-year follow-up, her
weight was decreased by 60 pounds now 190 pounds), but problems had
developed in her marriage.
FINAL PHASE: PREVENTION OF RELAPSE
Most treatments are exclusively aimed at quick weight reduction and ignore the
crucial goal, namely weight stabilization and prevention of relapse. Relapse is
probably the most frequently quoted problem in the treatment of obesity. A followup
lasting 1 to 2 years is therefore absolutely indicated to prevent possible relapse.
The patient will have to be regularly encouraged and stimulated to follow the
agreements and to practice hypnotic exercises on a daily basis. Physical exercise
and sport must be practiced every day. Post-hypnotic suggestions can further be
offered to strengthen and reinforce daily commitment to the agreements. In the
near future, computer programs designed to better master obesity problems, may
become very helpful in this regard.
CONCLUSION
Clinical experience together with some research data Kirsch, Montgomery &
Sapirstein, 1995) demonstrate that the involvement of hypnotic techniques in a
multidimensional treatment of obesity offers several important advantages. Hypnotic
techniques can very easily be combined with a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic
approach. Hypnotic techniques can facilitate the process of therapy as well as
directing it towards a favorable outcome Vanderlinden & Vandereycken, 1990).
Hypnotic techniques are particularly helpful in obese patients with bingeing
behaviors.
Despite optimistic reports on the long-term ef®cacy of a combined cognitivebehavioral
and hypnotherapeutic approach in obesity, more research is urgently
needed to investigate those variables that might predict when hypnosis would be
helpful. More comparative research is needed on larger samples, where not only
weight change is studied, but different psychological characteristics and factors are
also examined. This kind of research may give de®nite answers to the question of
how much hypnotic techniques can contribute to a more effective treatment of
obesity.