The Role of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Patients with Depression and Comorbid Anxiety Disorders
https://doi.org/10.30629/2618-6667-2025-23-1-88-97
Abstract
Background: hypnotherapy can be a useful adjunct to other treatments for comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders, such as pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other types of psychotherapy. The aim of review is to explore the research directions and applications of hypnotherapy in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. Material and Methods: by keywords "Hypnotherapy", "Depression", "Anxiety Disorders" search in PubMed, e-library and other bases carried on. 10 articles are found on inclusion criteria. To study this aspect, we analyzed scientific publications. Conclusion: according to the results of this review it was found that the use of this method allows to master independent skills of anxiety management, to strengthen relaxation capabilities, to reduce cognitive overactivity and sympathetic arousal, as well as to increase motivation to treatment and improve compliance. Within hypnotherapy, various types of suggestion can be effective for many medical and psychological conditions such as various pain conditions, depression and anxiety, and sleep disorders. The study of hypnotherapeutic methods in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders seems to be a promising area for research of therapy targets depending of clinical features of disorders.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: The presented article was performed within the framework of the state task of the Federal State Budgetary Institution V.M. Bekhterev National Research Medical Center for Psychiatry and Neurology of the Russian Federation Ministry of Health 2024–2026 (XSOZ 2024 0014).
About the Authors
T. A. Karavaeva
V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology ; Saint-Petersburg State University ; Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University ; FSBI «Petrov Research Institute of Oncology»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatiana A. Karavaeva, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Chief Scientist, Head of the Department, Department for the Treatment of Borderline Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy; Professor, Medical Psychology and Psychophysiology Department; Professor, General and Applied Psychology Department with courses in biomedical disciplines and pedagogy; Leading Researcher, Department of Innovative Methods of Therapeutic Oncology and Rehabilitation
Saint Petersburg
A. V. Vasileva
V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology ; I.I. Mechnikov North-western Medical State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anna V. Vasileva, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Chief Researcher, the Department for the Treatment of Borderline Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy; Professor, Psychotherapy and Sexology Department
Saint Petersburg
D. A. Starunskaya
V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Diana A. Starunskaya, Junior Researcher, Department for Treatment of Borderline Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy
Saint Petersburg
D. S. Radionov
V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitriy S. Radionov, Junior Researcher, Department for Treatment of Borderline Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy
Saint Petersburg
A. E. Andrianova
V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexandra E. Andrianova, Junior Researcher, Department for Treatment of Borderline Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy
Saint Petersburg
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Review
For citations:
Karavaeva T.A., Vasileva A.V., Starunskaya D.A., Radionov D.S., Andrianova A.E. The Role of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Patients with Depression and Comorbid Anxiety Disorders. Psychiatry (Moscow) (Psikhiatriya). 2025;23(1):88-97. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30629/2618-6667-2025-23-1-88-97
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