Page 93 - Total War on PTSD

A technique was developed called Hypnotherapeutic Olfactory Conditioning (HOC), for exploiting the ability of scents to arouse potent emotional reactions. During hypnosis, the patient learns to associate pleasant scents with a sense of security and self-control. The patient can subsequently use this newfound association to overcome phobias and prevent panic attacks. This may be especially effective for PTSD with episodes of anxiety, flashbacks, and dissociation triggered by smells. The authors presented three cases, patients with needle phobia, panic disorder, and combat-induced PTSD who were successfully treated with the HOC technique.
Many combat Veterans with PTSD have an olfactory component to their traumatic memories that might be utilized by HOC therapy. Thirty-six outpatients with chronic PTSD, featuring resistant olfactory-induced flashbacks, were treated with six 1.5-hour sessions using hypnosis. Significant reductions in symptomatology were recorded by the end of the 6-week treatment period, as well as for the Beck Depression Inventory and the Dissociative Experiences Scale; 21 (58%) of the subjects responded to treatment by a reduction of 50% or more. Improvement was maintained at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. HOC showed potential for providing benefit to individuals suffering from PTSD with olfactory components.
Abstract: Silexan, a lavender oil preparation for oral use, had been authorized in Germany for the treatment of states of restlessness during anxious mood. An open-label, exploratory trial was performed to assess the potential of the medicinal product in the treatment of restlessness caused by anxiety as related to several disorders. The results of this trial justified further investigations on Silexan in disorders with accompanying restlessness caused by sub-threshold anxiety.
Considering that so many illnesses are stress related, Lavender holds a special place in both preventative health care and in the treatment of tension-related illnesses. It offers a soothing and
93 of 1063