W.13.17B

Title: Hypnosis of peace and hypnosis of war. The prevalence of stress disorders caused by the war in Ukraine  and related challenges to hypnotherapy.
Presenters: Alexander Tokhtamysh
Venue: Audytorium Maximum - Small Hall / Aula Mała
Time: 20- 30 minute presentation during 2 pararell sesion - 13.06.2024 10:30-12:00
Language: EN

Abstract:

The experiencing of war is manifested in increased severity of post-traumatic stress disorders, the so-called "complex trauma", depressive tendencies, sleep disorders, etc. We find it appropriate to use the general unifying term "the war stress". It is characterized by the impact of threatening stressogenic stimuli that are repeated over a long period of time, creating a threat of permanent psychological retraumatization. The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders were observed in more than every third civilian Ukrainian woman and in every sixth civilian Ukrainian man.
The indicators of PTSD, depression and sleep disorders are significantly higher among Ukrainians who live abroad, than among those who are in Ukraine. 40.5% of Ukrainian female respondents who have children under 18 y. o. and live abroad have severe symptoms of PTSD. More than half of the Ukrainian women and every third man have no less than moderate depressive symptoms. Sleep disorders of at least a moderate degree were observed in 40% of Ukrainian women and 29% of Ukrainian men. The observation showed that the psychological state of experiencing the threats caused by the war bears the signs of a symptomatic trance, in particular, phenomena of time distortion or simplification of behavior to a more automated one often occur. There are also constant fixation on news about the war, sleep disorders, weight gain even with a balanced diet, increased anxiety, and mood swings among the frequently encountered symptoms.
We will present our experience of psychotherapeutic and hypnotherapeutic assistance to those experiencing the war stress.

Alexander Tokhtamysh, head of the Ukrainian association of Eriksonian and brief psychotherapy. Professor of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, visiting professor of Basel University in Switzerland. In his practice, he integrates Eriksonian hypnotherapy and psychothearapy with a person-centered approach and others. Referent of training programs on Eriksonian psychotherapy in Ukraine and Switzerland.