Relieving anxiety and phobias

We all feel anxious sometimes but when such feelings start to interfere with your life it is time to take action.  We can help you overcome the following difficulties using hypnotherapy:

• General anxiety and nervousness

• Phobias and specific fears

• Performance anxiety for exams and tests

• Shyness and social difficulties

• Hypochondria and other health-related fears

• Panic attacks

• Managing stress and learning how to relax

• Dealing with bullying and other difficult experiences

We don't often think about it this way but anxiety can be a useful state as it provides us with instant feedback.  For example, if you are standing on the edge of a cliff and feel anxious, then this is appropriate as it will make you do something useful such as stand somewhere safer.  Usually anxiety is triggered by an event that is perceived as a danger and the ability to develop this automatic fear response is common to both humans and animals.  The fear response becomes unconscious which is helpful for survival because it releases chemicals that give us the ability to run away or tackle the threat, known as the fight or flight response.  It wouldn't be very helpful if we had to ponder consciously for a few moments whether a tiger might be a danger because by the time we'd decided and released the adrenaline we'd probably be lunch already.

Due to the fact that the fear response is unconscious and happens so quickly we don't have time to rationalise about the danger before the chemicals are released.  However, in the modern world, it is not always appropriate to run or fight so sometimes people remain where they are and this can cause panic attacks as the chemicals are pumping through the body without being released by the physical exertion they were intended for.  This is why phobias are so unpleasant.  Phobias are often irrational because the unconscious may inappropriately have linked the fear response to a harmless object or situation.  The unconscious mind cannot reason and unfortunately it is difficult to reason with the unconscious mind.  The phobia needs to be released at the unconscious level which is why hypnosis and NLP can relieve a phobia with relative ease.

Sometimes fear becomes generalised and is referred to as 'floating anxiety'.  When this happens there is a constant feeling of unease and you find it difficult to relax or take pleasure in any activities.  For some people there is a clear trigger for this state, such as a difficult situation at work or in their personal life.  When the situation is over, often the anxiety clears. 

In the meantime though, it is useful to build in times of relaxation so that the anxiety does not have chance to become a permanent state.  Many things can help with this, such as having a good night out, watching a funny film, taking a bath or going for a brisk walk.  Talking about the problem with supportive friends, family or colleagues can be beneficial or alternatively visiting a counsellor for professional support.  A change of scenery, such as a holiday, can provide a different perspective so the problem seems less important and you generate coping strategies.  Consistent feelings of stress and anxiety are damaging to your physical and mental health so ensure you do something to break the cycle.

Hypnosis is also very effective because it can provide some deep relaxation and positive suggestions to help you deal with the situation.  It can give you a complete mental break from the stress and break the pattern of anxiety. 

Reiki is something you may like to consider because it provides deep relaxation and heals on the correct level for you.  If you decide to take our level one attunement course you will have an inbuilt stress-reliever through providing self-healing with reiki on a daily basis. 

Visit the About Us page to find out how to make an appointment or call us for a chat.

A goal without a date is just a dream

Milton H Erickson