Hypnosis and Guided Imagery

Abstract

This chapter overviews hypnosis and guided imagery, describing similarities and differences in their application to sleep disorders. It includes an introduction to hypnosis, and provides a definition and, history of the method, as well as a, guide to using hypnosis interventions and their utility and applications for sleep disorders. Some of the sleep disorders found to be effectively treated by hypnosis include nightmares, sleep walking, night terrors, and parasomnia overlap disorder. The chapter also overviews guided imagery and, provides an example and various uses for guided imagery in sleep disorders. The chapter concludes by reviewing the various differences and uses of hypnosis and guided imagery, including the greater research and wider use of guided imagery in its application to sleep disorders.