Hypnotherapy to get rid of fear and phobias

I read a report earlier this week about a woman who doesn't feel any fear because in her brain the part that usually registers fear doesn't exist. So, even when she was faced with things she said she feared she didn't show any emotional response at all.

To people who suffer from extreme phobias and general anxiety this will probably sound extremely desirable.  But there is of course a problem in that if you feel no fear in any situation then you can end up not recognising danger when you need to.

There is a way of getting the best of both worlds though and that is by using hypnosis to get rid of fears.  Even in extreme cases hypnosis can usually get rid of fear, and I see this  time and time again.

In getting rid of a phobia I am always careful to suggest that there will remain a natural concern if it is appropriate.  For instance, someone who previously had a fear of heights would want to retain a healthy caution for heights and not stand right on the edge of a steep cliff.  Someone with a fear of snakes would want to retain a healthy respect for dangerous snakes but doesn't need to have an overwhelming phobic response when they are mentioned or seen.

With regards to specific fears, the one that I deal with most often is fear of flying.  Other common ones are fear of needles, dentists, spiders, driving and speaking in public.  And there are many others I have helped people with as well. 

Read more of my postings on phobias.

So, if you would like to get rid of your fear then why not join the many other people who have successfully got rid of their phobias by using hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy as an alternative to benzodiazepine and other tranquilisers

Concern has been raised over the use of benzodiazepine and similar drugs.  A full report is given in this article.

1.5 million people in the UK are said to be addicted to the drug after having it prescribed for a variety of health issues.  Tranquilisers help a lot of people but for others they can cause their own problems, especially when used over a long time so it is worth looking at alternatives.

Hypnotherapy is one of those alternatives.  It can help reduce anxiety and stress and in a lot of cases it is very beneficial because it gives the person back control over their emotions. Hypnotherapy sessions can be combined with the use self hypnosis to reduce anxiety and allow people to regain calmness and feel stronger about tackling their problems.

Often people feel stressed or anxious or depressed because of specific situations.  It could be a life event that has become to much to deal with, it could be a build up of ongoing stress or it could be something which has always been an issue.

Reducing anxiety in just one area can increase someone's feelings of wellbeing which then means they don't feel as anxious about future events.  The vicious circle that is caused by anxiety can be reversed into a virtuous circle of feeling much calmer and more in control.

In the UK the recommended treatment for anxiety is CBT with medication coming second.  Unfortunately CBT often isn't instantly available through the NHS so medication is the only alternative available to the GP.  However, there are a lot of hypnotherapists and CBT practitioners available in private practice that can help you if you can fund it yourself.

In my opinion CBT works best in combination with hypnotherapy because you are dealing with issues on a subconscious and emotional basis - which is where the problem started and so the best way to make changes.  Many hypnotherapists use CBT techniques, either as a stand alone session or as part of their hypnotherapy.

So, if you are finding life difficult and are concerned about the risks that are associated with tranquilisers, think about hypnotherapy as an alternative.

Photography courtesy of Dima V