While most people associate dementia with memory loss, the symptoms one can experience are much broader. It is true that people with dementia can experience loss of memory as well as have difficulty problem solving, communicating, and planning. The psychological changes can be even worse than the symptoms. People who suffer with dementia can also experience agitation, depression, anxiety, and paranoia. Alternative therapies, including hypnosis, can help manage dementia symptoms.
What is it like to experience dementia?
People with dementia have good days and bad days. On difficult days, it can feel like the brain is in a fog. Dementia can make remembering what day it is or what is planned for the day impossible. It can also be difficult to find the right words to say. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and panic. It can be scary to not know where you are or what you should be doing. Some sufferers find it helpful to wait out the confusion as it will pass in time.
Hypnotherapy to manage dementia symptoms
According to a study by the department of psychology in Liverpool, people who received hypnosis had greater motivation, concentration, and improved memory. Hypnotherapy also helped to relax the patient’s which helped to manage dementia symptoms. Increasing relaxation helped to reduce anxiety and depression. Motivation to stay active helped to improve social interaction and immediate memory. This also helped patients avoid isolation and depression.
When a patients mental reserves are being used up by depression and anxiety, the result can be a far larger loss of memory. This is why hypnosis can be so effective. It can help to manage or eliminate the anxiety and stress that accelerates the loss of memory.
Hypnotherapy call also help to increase blood flow to the brain as well as to boost immune function. Hypnosis for dementia can help manage the psychological changes that a dementia patient experiences, and in turn improve the quality of life of the patient and the caregiver.
Lifestyle Changes
There are some basic but important ideas that caregivers should consider. It is helpful for the patient to exercise regularly as it combats depression and can slow the loss of memory. Keeping a calendar can be very helpful to the patient as it allows them to function even when they experience brain fog. Activities like painting, cooking, and dancing enables the patient to enjoy social interactions. Other alternative options like massage therapy, pet therapy, and aromatherapy have also been found to relax patients.
Helping a loved one manage dementia symptoms can seem like a daunting task. A combination of lifestyle adjustments and alternative therapies including hypnosis can help improve quality of life and slow the loss of memory.