Hypnosis in Palliative Care

Hypnosis can be a useful tool for patients in palliative care settings to cope with this unique period of their lives. Hypnosis can help patients to distance themselves from the situation they are living, to decrease their anxiety, improve pain management, and maintain an active role in their relationships with both the medical and nursing staff, as well as with their family. Autohypnosis empowers patients and improves their sense of autonomy and independence, which in turn allows them to see the end of their life more clearly. As a result, their relationship with the medical team also improves, as patients become more aware of their most intimate wishes. Hypnosis may also enable the family and the staff to have a better understanding of the patient’s point of view, so that they can respect their choices and reduce potential conflicts.