Which brings us to a slightly contentious question, whether asthma can become a “conditioned response.” Many patients know, from many previous occasions, that in certain conditions they are likely to experience an asthmatic episode, and so have built up an expectation of an attack.
People with asthma becomes attuned to the warning signals, frequently it is at an unconscious level that they first “spot the signs”, and without consciously knowing it, respond by changing their breathing pattern. They begin to breath more rapidly and more shallowly. In other words, they respond by starting to hyperventilate.
The model of therapy which the Therapy Partnership has developed for asthma patients – based largely on a four and a half year study conducted at Battle Hospital, Reading – puts the patient back in control.
It does this in a number of ways, not least by altering the patients’ expectation and developing a deeply ingrained understanding that they have the means to remain calm and bring their breathing back into control.
High among the key elements of this protocol is the teaching of self-hypnosis with patients encouraged to practise between sessions, linked to specific postive suggestions. Other procedures are also used to help patients develop a deeply ingrained knowledge and expectation that in the event of an asthmatic incident they will remain calm and be able respond and deal with it appropriately.
PLEASE NOTE: The Therapy Partnership can only provide therapy for asthma patients if their condition is being treated or monitored by their own GP or an asthma clinic. It is also our practise to write to the doctors concerned informing them that hypnotherapy is being provided to their patients and subsequently keeping them informed of the progress made. |