Long Covid and hypnotherapy

Long and longer Covid are fast becoming a reality for thousands and thousands of people across the UK and indeed the world.

Once Coronavirus and its acute symptoms have passed, many are left with long-term symptoms and debilitating conditions, such as acute tiredness, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, fatigue, and heart problems, palpitations, respiratory problems, as well as numbness, pins and needles, and anosmia, phantosmia parosmia, and more.

At first sufferers may feel alone, wondering if it is just them, or if it was just in their heads, leaving them feeling confused, isolated, and alone.

But now, as more and more such cases are coming to light, and more research by scientists, medics, and neuroscientists, and also research by myself, are taking place, the picture is becoming much, much clearer.

Long Covid, the name commonly used to explain lasting effects of Covid-19, may actually be four different syndromes. People experiencing long term effects of Covid-19 may have different syndromes such as post-intensive care syndrome, post-viral fatigue syndrome, and long-term Covid syndrome.

Symptoms may also affect the respiratory system, the brain, cardiovascular system and heart, the kidneys, the gut, the liver, and the skin.

The key thing to remember here is that you are not alone, and that help is available. 

Clinical hypnotherapy is fast becoming a treatment of choice for many in all aspects of dealing with Covid and its aftermath, including coping with grief and loss, anxiety triggered or exacerbated during a global pandemic, OCD, PTSD and trauma, depression, as well as addictions triggered or made worse during lockdown, and all manner of life changes such as job loss, divorce, separation, loss of a loved one, business failure, unemployment, and economic downturn.

Clinical hypnotherapy is proving to be one of, if not the best therapy treatment for mental health issues in both adults as well as children, teenagers, and young people.

The effects of the pandemic on young people and their mental health is unprecedented with young people now suffering more than ever. Children and young people have had to find their way through lockdown, missed education and school closures, cancelled exams, social isolation, University lockdowns, and so on.

Clinical hypnotherapy has always been a recognised treatment for teenagers and young people. And now it is being considered for the treatment of Long Covid in all age groups, young, elderly, and old.

As a clinical hypnotherapist I myself am looking into this further, focussing a research study in the coming weeks and months on the treatment of Long Covid using clinical hypnotherapy for all age groups.

Moreover, researchers at King’s College London have completed a brand new investigation and research study on Coronavirus and the effects it has on the population. Findings show that one out of every 20 people with Coronavirus could experience side effects and symptoms for up to eight weeks or more. This is what has become known as ‘Long Covid’. 

Long Covid affects around 10% of 18-49 year olds who become unwell with Covid-19, rising to 22% of over 70s. 

People suffering with Long Covid tend to have a slightly higher average BMI than those with short Covid. Women were 50% more likely to suffer from Long Covid than men. Longer Covid also sees symptoms lasting even longer.

King's College London has always been at the forefront of such medical research studies, including working closely with The Maudsley Hospital in London. 

I have worked with many people after they have left their residential treatment at the Maudsley Hospital, as well as working with clients from The Priory hospital too.

The Maudsley Hospital is also the largest mental health training institution in the UK.
And the world-renowned Priory hospital with flagship hospitals in Roehampton London, Harley Street London, and Altrincham Manchester.

The specialist hospitals treat out-patients and in-patients for addictions, depression, eating disorders and more.

Such work on neuroscience, mental health, and Covid treatments are flagship studies at the forefront of scientific, medical, empirical, qualitative and quantitative research for future generations which will have profound effects on our future health and the way in which we treat these conditions. 

I am proud to be a part of this, working with Maudsley and Priory clients, and my upcoming research project too.

So what next?

In my forthcoming research the next steps will be considering which aspects of clinical hypnotherapy work most effectively in the treatment of Long Covid. And then, following on from this a specific, tailor-made therapy programme can then be used to deliver to Long Covid patients, and treatment for clients, as well as sharing the programme with healthcare practitioners, hospitals, hospices, and the wider community.

If you would like to be involved in the research study please email me for more information: rebecca@harleystreettherapyclinic.com 

Thank you.