Hypnotherapy 1

So today I had my first course of Hypnotherapy.

I’ve had it in the past as a young child for something more medical, but this is the first time I’ve had it for my anxiety, and therefore (ironically) I was a bit anxious about it.

hyno

My agoraphobia is so ingrained in me and the way that I live my life that I’ve just got to the point where I can’t continue with how things are and need to change. I can’t travel on trains, buses, sometimes in cars – I can’t go in tall buildings, elevators, big open spaces, closed in spaces – I can’t do anything really. Everyday is a living nightmare.

So this was something I really need to do. I’m at the point of desperation for some help.

Today we spent about an hour talking and then had a 40 minute hypnotherapy session and it went really well. It’s a strange feeling. I felt calm and relaxed – sleepy even, and it felt a lot quicker than it was. I assumed the session had only lasted 10 minutes, so I was surprised when I was told it had lasted 40.

The thing I was most afraid of was not being in control – that’s why I suffer from agoraphobia anyway – but it wasn’t like that. I was in complete control of my body (or I felt as though I was). I could hear everything that was going on; I felt like I could have got up and walked out if I needed to. It was just a deep meditative state.

It wasn’t scary at all and I feel much better about my next session. I’ve booked three sessions in total as that was the reccommended number for agoraphobia – so hopefully I can begin to start overcoming this demon.

It just goes to show, we don’t have to live this way. It’s not a conscious choice to be scared, but it’s a choice nevertheless, so if we can train our brains to think differently – anything is possible.

lovelauren

24 thoughts on “Hypnotherapy 1”

  1. Iridescent Spirits says:
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    I’m very relieved to read this. My psychologist tried to to do it (or something similar) with me and I wanted it too, but at the moment I closed my eyes I started crying I was so afraid. He told me that I won’t lose control and he won’t do anything to me, and I knew it ’cause he’s a pro and very trustworthy yet I wasn’t able to do. On top of that, none of us could determine what I was so afraid of and I still don’t know.

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  4. myndworks says:
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    Great news, I’m sure the next few sessions will yield great results. It always gives me a buzz upon hearing about successful sessions (that’s why I became a hypnotherapist) – so if you ever want to know anything, don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. matthewerik1 says:
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    Do you know how common this procedure / practice is with therapists? I heard it can be very successful , but wondering if it is something that is widely accepted among therapists , or you have to find a specific therapist to perform this . any insight on how you came to setting your sessions up would be helpful for all.
    Thank you .

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  6. anxietystarr says:
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    I haven’t read all of your past posts but I wanted to commend your bravery for seeking treatment. I suffered from agoraphobia 8 years ago and it is a tough hole to pull yourself out of! I wish you all the best with this 🙂

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  8. brentblonigan says:
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    I also had issues, sometimes, still do with fear of losing control and panic attacks. I had biofeedback sessions which I think is similar. Tapes are played. Progressive relaxantion used with affirmation. It was effective.

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  9. patternsofsouldevelopment says:
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    Reading about your phobias – obviously more than one- I was thinking, why don’t you try doing something about it, like hypnosis for instance – by far the fastest and easiest results. Then, I hesitated, as I have been recently accused (don’t be afraid, it’s been inside my own family) that I don’t mind my own business – it’s then that I have decided to cut short on any of my passionate, impulsive even, drive to help others.

    But reading that you have taken the initiative, I was really happy, for I am really confident that you are going to see light in the end.
    I used to not quite understand why people (including my husband) would choose to cut off any possibility for getting better, by not trying something as simple as hypnotherapy. Now I understand: it’s our deep fear of losing it, of not being in control. Which, in this case, is only a myth – old literature and filmography, wrong mediatisation helped instill in the population this wrong belief that hypnosis equals loss of control. As you said, you are at any moment able to stop the process- even with the somnolence and all, you are aware at any time; you are the one who chooses to be relaxed, and the therapist can’t do a thing without your cooperation.
    I’ll be following your account of the experience with greatest interest, and I am confident about its positive outcome.

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    • bylaurenhayley says:
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      Thank you for commenting. It’s always been something that I’ve thought about doing but I don’t think I’ve ever been ready up until this point. If you aren’t ready to get better it doesn’t work, and I didn’t want to pay for an expensive treatment which had no chance of working because I wasn’t OK enough to put everything in to it. Sometimes I think you have to reach rock bottom first. I hope you’re right and it works 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • myndworks says:

        Hello, i don’t necessarily agree that one has to reach rock bottom, but i do find that most clients have exhausted most other pharmaceutical remedies and start to think about a rock bottom scenario.

        One of the biggest myths about hypnosis is that one loses control and is at the mercy of the therapist. However, a great therapist will reassure you and price to you that you are indeed in full control, all the way.

        Of course the best results are when the client understands that they and the therapist are a team, working towards the same solution. And when the client fully believes this, the magic happens.

        Recorded sessions and hypnotic audio products are often supplied between sessions to reinforce the progress.

        Such a misunderstood subject, but when administered professionally and in a safe, clinical setting, hypnosis still to this day amazes me. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • patternsofsouldevelopment says:

        Hello – to say that one would not decide to take action and try hypnotherapy unless that one touches rock bottom is for sure a little bit extreme.
        My intention was to use the expression in a very generalizing way, not with unique reference to hypnotherapy: people would have to be touching rock bottom before they decide upon ANY kind of measure, and this, in the best of situations. More often than not, they would just dismiss any initiative, any attempt to allow themselves to become better. I am talking here in all competency, as I happen to be surrounded by people with such “strong” personalities (read: strong ego) that, in their inflexibility, won’t even consider trying. They dismiss everything, as they always know better – but, I guess, it’s just a masked fear of trying the unknown, or fear at the imaginary perspective of not being “in control”.
        I totally agree that in what regards hypnotherapy, it is all about teamwork – and ultimately it depends upon the therapist’s ability to inspire enough confidence. Hypnotherapy IS amazing, as it accesses and triggers individual’s inner power to restore oneself to wellness.

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  11. bjsscribbles says:
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    I tried it once to help with depression and anxiety, I am not sure if it worked or I was ready for it. Lately I have been try a new management system that works on your nervous system. EMDR done it twice with my psychologist it was more hypnotic than the real thing.

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