Hypnotherapy To help with Anxiety

Anxiety. It’s a word we hear constantly. In fact, anxiety disorders are cited as one of the most prevalent forms of mental distress globally. Here in the UK, it’s estimated that around 25% of the population experiences anxiety or depression, with roughly 9% grappling with both. But here’s a crucial point: anxiety itself isn’t a disease, a disorder, or a mental illness.

Instead, think of anxiety symptoms as your body’s innate alarm system, a natural response designed to protect you from danger. In certain situations, this system can be incredibly beneficial. The racing heart, the heightened senses – these are components of our primal fight, flight, or freeze response, orchestrated by the sympathetic nervous system. Hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine flood our system, preparing us to face a perceived threat. In essence, it’s your body working hard to keep you safe. It’s not about eliminating these feelings entirely; that’s simply not how we’re wired.

Imagine facing a genuine life-or-death situation. That surge in heart rate becomes invaluable, ensuring your muscles receive the oxygen and blood they need to run or fight. The sudden sweat helps regulate your body temperature during intense physical exertion your system anticipates. Tunnel vision sharpens your focus, directing all your attention to spotting danger, maximizing your chances of survival.

However, when this natural response is triggered inappropriately or becomes chronic, the very mechanisms designed to protect us can become debilitating. That same tunnel vision that once helped you spot danger can now impair memory, cloud concentration, hinder logical thought, and impede clear decision-making.

Even bodily functions are affected. Digestion requires energy, energy your sympathetic nervous system believes is better used for fighting or fleeing. This can lead to a suppressed appetite, and if you’ve recently eaten, feelings of nausea or even vomiting. Interestingly, individuals prone to anxiety are also often more susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome, further highlighting the gut-brain connection.

Furthermore, in the face of a perceived immediate threat, your immune system takes a backseat. Energy is diverted away from fighting off viruses and bacteria, leaving you more vulnerable to common illnesses like colds, and potentially more serious health issues in the long run.

Anxiety: Often a Learned Response, Not an Inherent Flaw

Here’s a fascinating insight: it’s widely believed that humans are born with only two fundamental fears – the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All other fears, including many anxieties, are learned as we grow. Scientific research has shown that until around the age of seven, a child’s brain operates predominantly in a theta brainwave state, a period known as the imprint period. This is a time of intense learning, where we absorb complex skills like walking and talking. During this period, neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections, is at its peak.

In prehistoric times, rapid learning of what was safe and what wasn’t was crucial for survival. Our ancestors observed their parents and other members of their tribe to understand what to fear and what to avoid. This tendency to learn through observation persists today. Children often pick up fears and phobias simply by witnessing or hearing their parents’ anxieties. Regularly seeing a parent or significant role model in a state of anxiety can deeply imprint the belief that the world is inherently a dangerous place.

The Impact of Trauma on Anxiety

Anxiety can also be a direct consequence of traumatic experiences. Individuals suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) frequently experience intense anxiety. Personally, I used to live with CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), a condition often seen in prisoners of war and those who endured prolonged childhood adversity, such as persistent physical and emotional abuse with no escape.

For me, anxiety and emotional flashbacks became a conditioned response. This concept, developed by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, illustrates how our brains can learn to associate neutral stimuli with strong emotional reactions. Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs showed how the sound of an alarm, initially unrelated to food, eventually triggered salivation simply because it had been repeatedly paired with the presentation of meat powder. Similarly, environmental cues or internal sensations can become triggers for anxiety in those who have experienced trauma or chronic stress.

The Far-Reaching Effects of Living with Anxiety

Constantly operating in a state of fight or flight has significant consequences. As mentioned earlier, it suppresses our immune function, making us more susceptible to illness. But for me, the impact of anxiety went far beyond just more frequent colds. It profoundly affected my relationships, friendships, and career opportunities. Like many anxiety sufferers, my limited social circle and relationship difficulties unfortunately contributed to feelings of depression.

It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this struggle. And there is hope. A 2019 study published on PubMed found that, on average, participants treated with hypnosis showed greater improvement than approximately 84% of control participants, highlighting the potential of this approach.

Why Hypnosis Offers a Powerful Solution for Anxiety

I firmly believe that hypnosis offers a uniquely effective pathway to helping anxiety sufferers for several key reasons:

• Detraumatizing Memories Without Reliving Them: Using hypnosis, we can access and detraumatize or remove the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories that may be fueling your anxiety, often without needing to fully relive the painful events. This gentle approach can be incredibly liberating.

• Achieving Deep and Lasting Relaxation: Hypnosis facilitates deep levels of relaxation. The more consistently you experience this profound state of calm, the deeper and more ingrained your overall level of relaxation becomes. This counteracts the chronic state of tension that often accompanies anxiety.

• Harnessing the Power of Visualization for Change: Our minds often struggle to distinguish between a vividly imagined event and a real one. Hypnosis significantly enhances our ability to visualize. By guiding you to vividly imagine yourself feeling calm, relaxed, and confident, we can actually help create new neural pathways in your brain. With repeated visualization, these pathways strengthen, making it easier for you to effortlessly embody these desired states.

How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Will You Need to Find Relief?

It’s crucial to understand that every individual’s journey with anxiety is unique. Therefore, it’s challenging to give an exact number of hypnotherapy sessions needed to significantly reduce anxiety’s negative impact on your life. However, based on my experience, I generally recommend that clients commit to at least three hypnotherapy sessions to begin experiencing lasting change.

Many of my clients report feeling a positive shift even after their first session. And after completing a series of three sessions, the majority report experiencing life-changing results, finding a significant reduction in their anxiety and a noticeable improvement in their overall well-being.

Ready to Take the First Step Towards a Calmer, More Confident You?

If you’re tired of anxiety dictating your life and are seeking a powerful and effective way to find relief, I invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call. Let’s discuss your specific experiences and explore how hypnotherapy can help you reclaim your peace of mind.