Watch a child deep in a game of make-believe and you are looking at something very close to hypnosis: complete absorption in an imagined world. It should be no surprise that children tend to respond to hypnosis more readily than adults.
Why children respond so well
Hypnotizability rises through childhood, peaks at around 9 to 11 years, and declines gradually afterwards. Children move easily between reality and imagination, are used to following an adult’s lead, and have fewer fixed ideas about what is and is not possible.
What it looks like
Forget the image of a child lying still with eyes closed. Paediatric hypnosis is active and playful. Children often keep their eyes open, fidget, and talk throughout. Depending on age, the therapist might use:
- Storytelling, with the child as the hero
- A favourite place — the beach, a football pitch, a spaceship
- Blowing bubbles to slow the breathing
- A “magic glove” that makes the hand numb before a needle
- Switches in an imaginary control room that turn pain or worry down
- A favourite TV programme watched in the imagination
The language is matched to the child’s age, and it is usually described as “using your imagination” rather than “hypnosis.”
What it is used for
The best-supported uses in children are:
- Procedural pain and distress, such as blood tests, injections and cancer treatments. A Cochrane review found that hypnosis reduced children’s pain and distress during needle procedures, although it rated the quality of the evidence as very low.
- Functional abdominal pain and IBS. Trials, notably from the Netherlands, have shown lasting benefits, including when delivered by home recordings.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Bedwetting, where some studies show benefit.
- Anxiety, including around medical care and exams.
- Habits such as nail-biting and thumb-sucking.
- Sleep problems.
For most of these, hypnosis is used alongside standard medical care.
Is it safe?
In trained hands, yes. Side effects are rare and mild. The sensible precautions are:
- Rule out medical causes first. Recurrent tummy pain, headaches or bedwetting should be assessed by a doctor.
- Never use it to probe for memories. Children are especially vulnerable to developing false ones.
- The child must be willing. Hypnosis cannot and should not be forced.
Choosing a practitioner
Look for a health professional — a paediatrician, psychologist, nurse or play specialist — who has additional training in hypnosis with children. Parents are normally welcome in the room, and a good practitioner will explain exactly what they plan to do.
How parents can help
- Present it as a skill the child is learning, not something being done to them.
- Encourage practice without nagging.
- Avoid quizzing them afterwards.
- Praise the effort.
One of the nicest things about hypnosis for children is that it hands them control. A child who learns they can turn down their own pain or worry has gained a skill for life.
The bottom line
Children’s imaginations are a powerful resource. Hypnosis is a structured way of putting them to good use.
Next in the series: Sports Hypnosis: Training the Mind to Perform Under Pressure
This article is for general information and is not medical advice.