This post comes from a new Anxietyguru.net contributor named Andy. I hope you enjoy his perspectives on hypnosis and his experience with this type of therapy. And don’t forget that if you have something to say that you feel may help others who are suffering from anxiety and depression contact me about becoming a contributor today.
For those of us who have suffered with anxiety for a prolonged amount of time (six years and counting for me!) then you get to a point where you’ll try anything once. I first tried hypnotherapy around three years ago when things were pretty tough for me and I was desperate.
Hypnosis seemed like a silver bullet. A magic cure. After all, when you see it done on TV the hypnotherapist simply clicks his fingers and has an audience member believing they are a chicken or that they’re Brad Pitt or something.
But I’ll let you into a little secret: that’s a load of rubbish. Before a show the hypnotherapist will test willing audience members for susceptibility and prepare them. The truth is when you’re hypnotized you’re totally in control. If you don’t want to do something there is no way the hypnotherapist can make you.
The first thing my hypnotherapist told me is: ‘forget you preconceptions. I don’t use a pocket watch and I can’t make people do silly things.’ And that’s because a significant element of hypnotherapy is about suggestion.
About changing your thought patterns and helping you to reprogram your brain. In my case I have a terrible fear of the Underground which, when you live in London, can be a real pain.
So, when hypnotized I was told to imagine being on a train and being relaxed. I was given positive affirmations to say and these did have a positive impact. But does it work long term? Well, the answer to that is mostly no.
Suggestion tends to wear off. It did for me and it did for my dad who tried it to help him quit smoking. He’s now chugging his way through more than ever – though he did manage to keep off the cigarettes for a year.
Anyway, I digress. The second, and in my opinion, more significant role of hypnotherapy is in coming to terms with past memories. Very rarely when you have suffered anxiety for a long time, is it down to just one thing.
A good hypnotherapist can unlock your subconscious and root around inside to dig out the memories, feelings and thoughts that you didn’t even know were causing you distress. They will then help you work through these memories and hopefully put them to bed. And for good!
On the whole I would recommend trying hypnotherapy as it will certainly help you to relax – and in times of stress this can be worth the fee in itself. However, it’s no quick fix and if done properly it can be tough going.
The other drawback is that it’s expensive. If you’re short on cash but you’d still like to give it a go, try getting a CD. There are plenty of good ones on amazon.com: Glenn Harrold, Louise Ireland and Meditainment to name a few.
I personally love having hypnotherapy performed on me. I’ve seen good results in others so I am trying it myself.
I think the big thing is that one needs the suggestion reinforced a few times and you can’t have someone undoing it even by accident. One of my therapists was accidentally undoing part of what my hypnotherapist was doing for a little while until we figured out what was going on. Now they are working together and not at odds anymore and I am starting to see significant progress.