Panic & Anxiety
The symptom of panic attacks and anxiety are a fairly common phenomenon that are estimated to effect 1-3% of the British population. It is difficult to comprehend the immense fear, dread and feelings of impending doom that a person experiences whilst in the throws of a panic attack. The first panic attack a person experiences leaves a deep impression on the mind generating a strong fear about the potential of future panic attacks. From then on the person is 'sensitised' or continually on the look-out, and desperately trying to avert future episodes of panic. This leads to an over focus on bodily symptoms, and an avoidance of situations in which the person feels they may potentially have another panic attack.
The fear of a panic attack leads to a greater avoidance of everyday situations, such as shopping, driving, using public transport and so on. This avoidance of situations is called agoraphobia and often goes hand in hand with symptoms of panic.
A defining feature of a panic attack is the sense of impending doom, and a strong belief that the person is about to experience a physical or psychological collapse, in the form of a heart attack, a stroke, or perhaps even insanity. In each case this fear of physical or psychological breakdown is false, but whilst in the throws of panic it is difficult to think any different.
How can hypnosis help?
Hypnosis is a remarkably effective treatment for panic attacks and anxiety. Firstly the deep relaxation you experience in hypnosis successfully counteracts a great deal of the anxiety and enables you to feel relaxed, grounded and stress-free. Secondly, hypnosis can help to deconstruct the anxiety by working directly with the emotional parts of the mind, relieving feelings of panic and restoring you back to a state of inner harmony. People feel much calmer, and more able to lead their lives free from panic as a result of hypnotherapy. In most cases this work is completed successfully over around 1-7 sessions of hypnotherapy.