Stress, Anxiety, Habits and Phobias
Discuss the relationship between stress, anxiety, habits and phobias and describe how you would treat these issues with hypnotherapy.
Introduction
The above all form part of the human experience and are linked to one another by conditions that come down to what our minds are capable of doing to us, especially when it might involve losing our sense of reason.
Our primal instinct provides us with a ‘fight or flight’ reaction, the outcome being dependent on the actual situation but nonetheless critical to our survival. Some situations we accept as being only superficially harmful to our well-being, especially when we have experienced a similar scenario before, our memories (and therefore our unconscious mind) permitting us to take on board mildly threatening predicaments. However, when we are in a new environment and facing an ‘unknown’ we have to react as only we know how – usually with very little time for consideration of the way we go about this or not knowing what the outcome will be.
The relationship between these four neurotic conditions is undeniable. Our bodies can undergo physical changes (muscles tensing, butterflies in our tummies, heartbeat rising, sweating, increased awareness, senses heightened) as well as psychological ones (becoming focused, fast thinking, emotionally stretched). These changes tend to kick in very fast but disappear once the ‘threat’ has diminished. However, in some instances, there can be a tendency to become caught in a downward spiral, where the physical and psychological modifications produce further upset and worry that can then increase out of control. Even worse, a compounded fear, that of the present fear, would make the symptoms even more difficult to regulate with potential dire consequences.
We all undergo some form of stress and anxiety, in our work environment and even with friends and family. We also like to push our boundaries with visits to fun fairs and horror films. But these are typically acceptable
Introduction
The above all form part of the human experience and are linked to one another by conditions that come down to what our minds are capable of doing to us, especially when it might involve losing our sense of reason.
Our primal instinct provides us with a ‘fight or flight’ reaction, the outcome being dependent on the actual situation but nonetheless critical to our survival. Some situations we accept as being only superficially harmful to our well-being, especially when we have experienced a similar scenario before, our memories (and therefore our unconscious mind) permitting us to take on board mildly threatening predicaments. However, when we are in a new environment and facing an ‘unknown’ we have to react as only we know how – usually with very little time for consideration of the way we go about this or not knowing what the outcome will be.
The relationship between these four neurotic conditions is undeniable. Our bodies can undergo physical changes (muscles tensing, butterflies in our tummies, heartbeat rising, sweating, increased awareness, senses heightened) as well as psychological ones (becoming focused, fast thinking, emotionally stretched). These changes tend to kick in very fast but disappear once the ‘threat’ has diminished. However, in some instances, there can be a tendency to become caught in a downward spiral, where the physical and psychological modifications produce further upset and worry that can then increase out of control. Even worse, a compounded fear, that of the present fear, would make the symptoms even more difficult to regulate with potential dire consequences.
We all undergo some form of stress and anxiety, in our work environment and even with friends and family. We also like to push our boundaries with visits to fun fairs and horror films. But these are typically acceptable
References: Hypnosis for Change – Josie Hadley & Carol Staudacher First Steps in Counselling – Pete Sanders Hypnotherapy, A Practical Handbook – Hellmut Karle & Jennifer Boys Hypnotherapy – A Handbook – Michael Heap & Windy Dryden Overcoming Anxiety – Helen Kennerley Scripts & Strategies in Hypnotherapy – Roger P Allen