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Hypnosis for CFS/ME
What is CFS/ME?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), is a complex and long-term health condition. It is characterised by profound fatigue that does not improve with rest, along with a range of cognitive, physical and neurological symptoms.
Core symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue or post-exertional malaise (PEM): worsening of symptoms after even minor physical or mental activity
- Unrefreshing sleep: waking tired despite adequate rest
- Cognitive difficulties: problems with concentration, memory and processing often referred to as brainfog
 Other commonly reported symptoms include dizziness, light-headedness, generalised anxiety, joint or muscle pain and heightened sensitivity to light and sound (NICE, 2021). Orthostatic intolerance, which means feeling worse when standing, is also frequently present.
Many individuals with CFS/ME have experienced dismissive responses from GPs, often being told their symptoms are psychological or exaggerated. This can be especially distressing and isolating at a time when support is most needed.
Part of the difficulty is siloed thinking in healthcare. Medical disciplines often operate in isolation (eg rheumatology, neurology, immunology) which makes it difficult to address a condition that spans multiple systems. Without a coordinated approach, symptoms may be misunderstood or overlooked. Medication intelerance can also be present which makes treating symptoms medically challenging as well.
What needs to be excluded before a diagnosis can be made?
There's no single test for CFS/ME. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, the presence of hallmark symptoms, and ruling out other conditions such as:
- Anaemia / irn deficiency
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Sleep disorders (e.g. sleep apnoea)
- Autoimmune conditions (e.g. lupus, multiple sclerosis)
- Vitamin B12 or D deficiency
- Mental health conditions such as depression
- Infections like Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease
A diagnosis should only be made when symptoms have been present for at least three months and no other explanation can account for them (NICE, 2021; CDC, 2018).
How can hypnosis help with CFS/ME?
Hypnotherapy is not a cure for CFS/ME, but it can support symptom management and improve overall quality of life. We target the following areas:
1. Reducing stress and anxiety
CFS/ME often triggers a heightened stress response. Hypnosis promotes relaxation and helps regulate the nervous system, reducing the intensity of anxiety and emotional strain that often accompany the condition (Hammond, 2010).
2. Supporting sleep and rest
Unrefreshing sleep is one of the core challenges in CFS/ME. Hypnotherapy can improve sleep quality through relaxation techniques and guided suggestions aimed at calming overactive thought patterns and encouraging deeper rest (Yung et al., 2021).
3. Managing pain and sensory overload
Hypnosis is widely recognised for its ability to help reduce chronic pain and sensory sensitivity. It may help to 'turn down' the volume on overstimulated neurological pathways that amplify discomfort (Jensen et al., 2009).
4. Encouraging better dietary habits
People with CFS/ME often struggle with appetite, cravings, or inconsistent eating patterns. Hypnotherapy can help support positive nutritional decisions by encouraging motivation, creating more helpful routines and reducing emotional eating (Arroll, 2012).
5. Pacing and self-regulation
Through suggestion and guided visualisation, hypnotherapy helps reinforce patterns of pacing, hwich means doing just enough without triggering a crash. It can assist in listening to the body's cues more effectively.
What is the evidence that hypnosis can help with CFS/ME?
While direct research on hypnosis for CFS/ME is still ongoing, there are several strands of evidence already published pointing to its usefulness:
- A pilot study combining nutritional advice, psychological support, and self-management strategies (including hypnosis-informed techniques) found significant improvement in fatigue and functioning among CFS/ME patients (Arroll, 2012).
- Earlier work by Whorwell (1997) and Gregg (1997) showed improvements in energy levels and anxiety using hypnosis and relaxation techniques.
- Hypnosis is well established as an effective tool for managing pain, anxiety, insomnia, and functional somatic symptoms, all of which are relevant in CFS/ME care (Jensen et al., 2009; Hammond, 2010).
What is the relationship between Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME?
Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME are distinct conditions, but they frequently overlap. Both are characterised by:
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep
- Cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog")
- Heightened sensitivity to touch, light, sound, and sometimes temperature
It's estimated that 30-70% of individuals with one of these conditions meet the criteria for the other (Afari and Buchwald, 2003). The two conditions also share biological similarities, including central sensitisation and stress-response system dysregulation.
Interestingly, studies show that people with CFS/ME and fibromyalgia together often report more severe symptoms and disrupted sleep architecture than those with CFS/ME alone (Bechny et al., 2025). Hypnotherapy has a well-documented role in fibromyalgia treatment, especially for pain and stress, and these benefits often extend to those with both diagnoses (Yung et al., 2021).
What to Expect from Hypnotherapy for CFS/ME
Each session is tailored to your personal experience and goals. Hypnotherapy for CFS/ME is gentle, collaborative and focused on small steps forward. Sessions will typically include:
- Initial consultation and goal setting
We will discuss your symptoms, triggers and what you'd like to change. This forms the foundation for your tailored treatment plan.
- Guided relaxation and therapeutic hypnosis
You will be guided into a calm, focused state, where targeted suggestions can begin to ease patterns of anxiety, fatigue, or pain.
- Symptom focused strategies
Depending on your priorities, sessions may address energy regulation, anxiety, pacing, food-related challenges, or trauma-related factors.
- Self-hypnosis training
You will learn how to practise self-hypnosis at home, using recordings or simple scripts to manage symptoms between sessions.
- Flexibility and ongoing support
You are in control at all times. As your condition changes, your treatment adapts to meet you where you are.
Other techniques such as EMDR or NLP may be integrated, especially where trauma, negative beliefs or emotional blocks are present.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you've recently been diagnosed or are still exploring what might explain your symptoms, it's natural to feel overwhelmed.
You don't need a final medical diagnosis to begin. If you'd like to explore how clinical hypnosis, alongside EMDR and NLP, might help, feel free to get in touch.
In your first session we will talk about your goals, what I offer and how we can work togther to help you to move forwards.
References
- Afari, N. and Buchwald, D., 2003. Chronic fatigue syndrome: a review. American Journal of Psychiatry, 160(2), pp.221-236.
- Arroll, M.A., 2012. A preliminary prospective study of nutritional, psychological and combined tailored interventions for ME/CFS. BMJ Open, 2(6), p.e001079.
- Bechny, H. et al., 2025. Multidimensional analysis of sleep dynamics differentiates CFS from CFS+FM. arXiv preprint, arXiv:2503.10271.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2018. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/index.html> [Accessed 14 Sep. 2025].
- Gregg, V.H., 1997. Hypnosis in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome. Contemporary Hypnosis, 14(3), pp.173-177.
- Hammond, D.C., 2010. Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(2), pp.263-273.
- Jensen, M.P., Patterson, D.R. and Montgomery, G.H., 2009. Hypnosis for pain control in clinical practice. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 10(1), pp.1-29.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2021. Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management. [online] Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng206> [Accessed 14 Sep. 2025].
- Whorwell, P.J., 1997. Hypnotherapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Gut, 40(6), pp.753-755.
- Yung, J.P. et al., 2021. The effectiveness of hypnosis for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 145, p.110473.
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