Hypnose en soins palliatifs

Abstract

Hypnosis can be a useful tool for patients in palliative care setting, to cope with this unique and very special period of their lives. Hypnosis can help patients to distance themselves from the situation they are living, to decrease their anxiety, improve pain management as well as allowing them to 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 self governance which in turn allows them to perceive their end of life more clearly. As a result their relationship with the care givers thus 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 patients' point of view and thus be able to respect their choices and reduce potential conflicts.