Anxiety
and Panic Disorders are areas that I have a keen interest and much experience
within and is often linked to today’s fast pace of living. There
are many different aspects to anxiety, panic and phobias and in my practice
approximately 55% of my clients present with any array of these issues.
Anxiety is part of normal human experience and we all probably know what
it feels like to be anxious – perhaps about a big forthcoming event
ahead of us, all 27 of the family for Christmas dinner…..the car
passing it’s MOT….! Anxiety can be a beneficial experience
as it often helps us to prepare for something or take more care than otherwise.
For some people however, these moments of anxiety are not isolated to
specific things and are not rare. Instead, anxiety is a constant and pervasive
force that severely impacts on the quality and enjoyment of their lives
and is far more than just simply ‘nerves’.
Having worked successfully with a great many clients here are a number
of typical areas that anxiety plays a part:-
Social Anxiety
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Attacks/Disorders
Agoraphobia
Phobias
This is characterised by extreme fear when facing social interactions
and it is estimated that up to 7% of the population can be affected by
this at any time. It is the avoidance of certain social situations when
sufferers fear they may be negatively judged by others and experience
feelings of dread, worthlessness, increased heart rate, shaking limbs,
blushing or dry mouth, to name but a few (very similar to the heightened
anxiety responses). Hypnosis is a highly effective treatment for this
particular area of anxiety.
Chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, often caught up in the fearful
anticipation of disastrous future events for example “What if……….should
happen whilst I am out” thoughts. For some people simply getting
through the day provokes unreasonable levels of anxiety, for others it
can be more specific for example the health of the family, money, work
etc.
People who suffer from GAD often seem unable to relax, so using hypnosis
as a method of treatment aids and encourages the individual to empower
themselves by learning this and many other strategies to deal with day-to-day
life thereby reducing, and often times eliminating, anxiety over time.
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These affect 1.6% of the population and are twice as common in women
as men. Not everyone who experiences a single panic attack will develop
panic disorder. Many people have one attack and never have another. For
those who do have another, seeking treatment is essential. Panic attacks
can occur out-of-the-blue, without warning. Feelings of terror and intense
anxiety often develop between attacks. Symptoms can be varied and attacks
can happen at any time, even during sleep. On average an attack lasts
approximately 2 minutes, but occasionally may last for 10 minutes and
in rare occasions upto an hour or more. Hypnosis is a proven method enabling
relaxation and encouraging the focus of the mind onto a more productive
outcome. I have worked to help many of my clients so they are able to
overcome panic attacks completely.
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This often results from a fear of having a panic attacks in specific
situations which may be embarrassing or they may not be able to get out
of. It can lead to extreme anxiety and avoidance of open spaces and some
people, left untreated, may become ‘housebound’ unable to
leave their ‘safe area’. Agoraphobia is responsive to both
therapeutic and medical treatment and early treatment of anxiety helps
avoid the escalation of the problem.
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Many people experience specific phobias and these are intensely irrational
fears about or certain things or situations,
for example, dogs, lifts, fish, closed-in places, heights, spiders, driving,
water, bridges, flying, injuries involving blood and dentists. Adults
with phobias realise their fears are irrational, but often when faced
with the feared object or situation they experience anxiety or feelings
of panic
It may surprise you to know that specific phobias affect more than 1
in every 10 people. Hypnosis can treat phobias easily, simply and quickly.
It is important to note that anxiety in its many forms can be treated
successfully but, dependent upon severity, may require several sessions
to learn how to deal with it. Often prescribed medication is already being
taken, which is fine too because hypnosis is a completely natural and
safe method of therapeutic intervention.
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