Hypnotherapy for Fear
Is hypnotherapy for fear effective and why does it work? Why are we afraid of something; a better question is what does it even mean to be afraid? The answer is very interesting: it depends. The difference is what separates a fear from a phobia from an anxiety. They are, in terms of how they affect us, fairly similar. The importance of the difference lies in how we can resolve each one.
Fear: It exists for a reason. ie, a dog bit you when you were young and now you are afraid of dogs. Often the best solution in my work for this is something called circle therapy, a desensitization to the harmful effects of the memory.
Phobia: It exists for no readily available reason. I had arachnophobia that was like this. Zero reason, zero trauma… just a spine freezing phobia of spiders. Different from fears, phobias are often addressed through distancing exercises as exposure can worsen a phobia.
Anxiety: Not to be mistaken for clinical anxiety, being anxious about something is an interesting combination of the two. It can best be defined as a threat you are aware of, but that may or may not have even happened yet. The way this is addressed is a very individual thing.
Driving is probably the second most common that I work with; the first most common being flying. No matter what the issue, working with an educated, experienced hypnotherapist can help you overcome lifelong fears and phobias in a very short amount of time. The way this is done depends on what you yourself are dealing with as what can help a fear can actually make a phobia worse.
I understand what it’s like to be afraid of something; overcoming my fears through hypnotherapy is one of the things that inspired me to get my education and open my practice. Please don’t take this as an advertisement of my services, though anyone is welcome to reach out to me. My purpose is to let you all know there are options out there, help to be had and where that help can be found.
The subconscious and its associations are everything. It is all, quite literally, in your head. Fortunately, that’s also where the answers are. To further explain the qualities of these, I present this perspective:
- Fear: The Rational Sentinel
- Fear exists for a reason. It’s our body’s alarm system, alerting us to potential danger. For instance, if a dog bit you during your childhood, it’s natural to develop a fear of dogs. This fear is rooted in a specific memory, and addressing it often involves techniques like circle therapy—a gradual desensitization to the memory’s harmful effects.
- Fear is adaptive; it keeps us safe by urging caution when faced with real threats.
- Fear exists for a reason. It’s our body’s alarm system, alerting us to potential danger. For instance, if a dog bit you during your childhood, it’s natural to develop a fear of dogs. This fear is rooted in a specific memory, and addressing it often involves techniques like circle therapy—a gradual desensitization to the memory’s harmful effects.
- Phobia: The Unexplained Dread
- Unlike fear, phobias lack a readily available cause. Imagine having arachnophobia—the spine-chilling fear of spiders—without any traumatic spider-related incident. It’s as if your brain decided to sound the alarm without a clear trigger.
- Phobias are peculiar. Exposure can worsen them, so treatment often involves distancing exercises. The goal is to reduce the exaggerated response to harmless stimuli.
- Unlike fear, phobias lack a readily available cause. Imagine having arachnophobia—the spine-chilling fear of spiders—without any traumatic spider-related incident. It’s as if your brain decided to sound the alarm without a clear trigger.
- Anxiety: The Uncertain Terrain
- Anxiety isn’t synonymous with clinical anxiety disorders. Instead, it’s a blend of fear and anticipation. You’re aware of a potential threat, even if it hasn’t materialized yet. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- Addressing anxiety is highly individual. Coping mechanisms vary, from mindfulness practices to cognitive-behavioral techniques.
- Anxiety isn’t synonymous with clinical anxiety disorders. Instead, it’s a blend of fear and anticipation. You’re aware of a potential threat, even if it hasn’t materialized yet. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Remember, whether it’s a fear, a phobia, or an anxious thought, you’re not alone. Seek guidance, unravel the knots, and reclaim your peace of mind. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.
