- May 30, 2022
- transformationhaven
What would you say if I told you that your debilitating anxiety could be treated with a simple therapeutic treatment that has been around for hundreds of years! Hypnotherapy for anxiety could be your godsend!
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If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, don’t worry, you are not alone. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the USA, affecting over 40 million adults in America alone. In Australia, that number is 2.7 million adults, according to Beyond Blue.
Alternative treatments like spiritual healing and hypnotherapy for anxiety have been considered as effective as other psychotherapeutic treatments. Research has shown that hypnotherapy has been effective in relieving stress, fear, and anxiety by up to 79%.
In this article, we will be discussing the concept of hypnotherapy for anxiety and what makes hypnotherapy for anxiety suitable for you.
What is Hypnotherapy for Anxiety and how does it work?
When people hear of hypnosis, they automatically assume it involves what they see in movies and magic shows. Therapeutic hypnosis has nothing to do with any of those, there are no magic tricks, no chicken sounds or swinging pendulums – it is all pure science here.
Hypnotherapy, also referred to as hypnosis or hypnotic suggestions, is a technique used by a professional hypnotherapist to bring a person to a dream like state of consciousness known as the trance.
How it Works
When a person has been brought to that hypnotic trance-like state, his/her guards are let down. They become more relaxed, with heightened concentration, and open to suggestions. In this trance like state, the person becomes more susceptible to discussing their thoughts and feelings without feeling stressed and anxious.
The therapist uses various techniques, such as repetitive words, music, visualisation, and more, to bring the patient to a state of relaxation. After this state is achieved, it becomes easy for the patient to talk about their fears and sources of anxiety without being triggered. Next, the therapist then begins to use hypnotherapy to address those anxieties by replacing the negative thoughts with positive ones.
The suggestions and techniques used by the hypnotherapist are determinants of the issue presenting itself. For instance, the hypnotherapist may use affirmative words like: “you are not scared, you are bold and confident”, or suggestions like “when next you feel fear, you will not let it overcome you. You will take a deep breath and you will regain your confidence.”
Now, unlike what you see in movies where a person is completely spellbound and unconscious during hypnosis; in reality, you still retain your consciousness and alertness. As a matter of fact, you can still have some form of control over your behaviour. After the session, which usually lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, the hypnotherapist then begins to guide you back into your normal state.
Why try Hypnotherapy for Anxiety?
Anxiety is not always a bad thing. Scientists have discovered that some degree of anxiety may just be as beneficial as eustress – (positive stress). But for people suffering from some form of anxiety disorder, the anxiety doesn’t just dissipate, instead, it worsens if not tended to. Instead of resorting to medications straight away, here are some reasons to consider hypnotherapy for treating anxiety disorders.
1. Hypnotherapy can produce quick results for anxiety
The beautiful thing about hypnotherapy is that its effect can be immediate and long-lasting. The goal of the hypnotherapist is to ease some of your anxiety right from the first session.
2. Other therapeutic treatments can be complimented by hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy isn’t exclusive to other forms of treatment. A 2019 study revealed that hypnotherapy was most effective in treating anxiety when combined with other therapeutic treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy or medication.
3. Hypnotherapy has little to no side-effects
Hypnotherapy provides a treatment option that does not involve drugs or invasive therapy therefore it has little or no known side effects. Besides, you’re still in control and can opt to stop at any point you feel very uncomfortable.
4. Hypnotherapy helps the underlying cause of anxiety
Anxiety is usually caused by some negative habits, thought patterns, or past traumas. Hypnotherapy helps to retrace those memories, habits, and thought patterns, resolves them and replaces them with positive thought patterns.
5. You can benefit from self-hypnosis
Yes, you read that correct! Your hypnotherapist can teach you techniques that can be performed outside of a hypnotherapy session. These are techniques that can be self-administered, before, during or after sessions.
Final thoughts?
Hypnotherapy for anxiety disorder can very effective. However, if you are suffering from delusions, hallucinations, or psychotic symptoms, you might want to consider having a talk with your psychiatrist before undergoing hypnotherapy. This category of people can be at risk of side effects such as confabulations.
Hypnosis helps to ease the mind and opens it up to positive suggestions – it’s not even close to what you see in movies. Hypnotherapy for anxiety works best in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions.
