Has anyone ever tried hypnosis?

I've had people suggest short term use of a prescription sleep aid to help me get over my claustrophobia issues with the full face mask and my high pressure settings. Wondering if anyone has ever tried hypnosis to be able to use their machine?

ellen1159 wrote:I've had people suggest short term use of a prescription sleep aid to help me get over my claustrophobia issues with the full face mask and my high pressure settings. Wondering if anyone has ever tried hypnosis to be able to use their machine?

I would like to try it on my husband.

Hi Ellen: You say you're having trouble with your mask. When you ask about hypnosis is it related to being able to use your machine or your mask? I haven't heard of anyone trying hypnosis regarding their mask or the machine.

As far as a mask goes, have you considered trying the Mirage Liberty or the Hybrid? These mask use a nasal pillow and mouth cushion and don't have a forehead piece. I basically started having more success with the Hybrid and Liberty. I didn't realize it before but I must be somewhat claustophbic and find it very difficult to deal with stuff on my forehead. Most of the FFMs take up way too much room on my face. The Hybrid/Liberty takes up what feels like less room to me. The DME gave me an Respironics FFM to try out. Although it has no forehead piece, I still felt claustrophobic trying it out. I just tried it for last two nights. Night one could only have on for 3 1/2 hrs and it was killing the bridge of my nose. Last night (loosened the straps considerably) I was agitated after only 1 1/2 hrs and took it off. No big leaks around the eyes but some in the mouth area and a slight amount of pain on bridge of my nose. I've been clocking in about 5 plus hrs with the Liberty/Hybrid mask.

Ellen, another thought that might help is to use your mask while listening to the TV or music. That way you can consciously relax while wearing .. know that you can take it off any time .. but start to associate it with relaxing (rather than with claustrophobia). The result is that you will start to program your brain to relax and fall asleep whenever you wear your mask.

Just an idea that's worked for me in the past.

Ellen,

I have not specifically tried hypnosis for mask related claustrophobia, but my wife and I are both certified hypnotists and she has dealt with both fears and sleep issues. I think hypnosis would work well for mask related claustrophobia. Now, if could only resolve leak issues. (My wife is currently dealing with trying to find a FFM that works for her.)

I would search out a hypnotist that would have you bring at least your mask and maybe the whole machine (if you wanted to) and would actually do part of the session with your mask on. This would help you to learn to relax completely when you have the mask on.

My wife has worked with a couple of people on gag reflex related to new dentures and had greats success. And hypnosis is great for getting over fears, so I would try it out.

Steve

NHUnicorn wrote:Ellen,

I have not specifically tried hypnosis for mask related claustrophobia, but my wife and I are both certified hypnotists and she has dealt with both fears and sleep issues. I think hypnosis would work well for mask related claustrophobia. Now, if could only resolve leak issues. (My wife is currently dealing with trying to find a FFM that works for her.)

I would search out a hypnotist that would have you bring at least your mask and maybe the whole machine (if you wanted to) and would actually do part of the session with your mask on. This would help you to learn to relax completely when you have the mask on.

My wife has worked with a couple of people on gag reflex related to new dentures and had greats success. And hypnosis is great for getting over fears, so I would try it out.

Steve

I second this. I have worked with hypnotist also. My daughter had great success as a teen over coming anxiety attacks by the use of hypnosis.

NHUnicorn wrote:Ellen,

I have not specifically tried hypnosis for mask related claustrophobia, but my wife and I are both certified hypnotists and she has dealt with both fears and sleep issues. I think hypnosis would work well for mask related claustrophobia. Now, if could only resolve leak issues. (My wife is currently dealing with trying to find a FFM that works for her.)

I suggested to my former therapist, who also did hypnotherapy, that she make a "guided meditation" cd/mp3 specifically for mask/sleep apnea use but since she doesn't have OSA or really know people who do (I am now 2000 km from there) she declined. She has others available for different issues but I really think there would be a market - a small one it is true, for these kinds of cd's addressing this issue.

A marvelous idea! We know the anxiety issue is HUGE for a lot of would-be papper's.

I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

I want one.

Stormynights wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

I want one.

A therapist or an idea?

kaiasgram wrote:

Stormynights wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

I want one.

A therapist or an idea?

I probably need both but I would settle for a CD.

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

Good! The more variation that is available the better it is for people.

I thought about doing it but I don't have all the training, just bits and pieces. I have done guided visualizations/ meditations with small groups of people to teach relaxation and self help acupressure techniques, but this is beyond my abilities.

Usually when people are in the "i can't put the mask out of my mind" phase I suggest the standard NLP thing of finding a nice memory of drowsing off like a warm beach and to remember all the senses in sequence. It would be easier if they had something to listen to rather then remember with soft music or background sounds.

Stormynights wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:

Stormynights wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

I want one.

A therapist or an idea?

I probably need both but I would settle for a CD.

I agree with Froggie, BlackSpinner's idea is a really good one. Small market, ok, but perhaps it could be done on a relatively small budget.

BlackSpinner wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:I'm a therapist... you're giving me ideas.

Good! The more variation that is available the better it is for people.

I thought about doing it but I don't have all the training, just bits and pieces. I have done guided visualizations/ meditations with small groups of people to teach relaxation and self help acupressure techniques, but this is beyond my abilities.

Usually when people are in the "i can't put the mask out of my mind" phase I suggest the standard NLP thing of finding a nice memory of drowsing off like a warm beach and to remember all the senses in sequence. It would be easier if they had something to listen to rather then remember with soft music or background sounds.

I agree, I do better personally with guided imagery and meditations than with nonspecific "ambient" music or nature sounds. I've done guided imagery with clients informally and it's nice because I know them and can individualize the imagery by incorporating things that are meaningful to them -- for example, suggesting to a client that her beloved dog is with her in her 'happy place,' while she's in the CT scanner, that sort of thing. To put together a CD that would be meaningful and useful to as many people as possible I'd need lots of input from everyone here. I also know a sleep tech who might have some helpful ideas too.

Keep the ideas and inspiration coming.