UNDERSTANDING FEAR
Fear causes a physical and emotional response. When we experience a fear, we mostly experience the same physical responses, such as feeling faint, light-headed or even dizzy. Some people will break out into a "cold sweat", while others might find themselves feeling quite hot, and might even struggle with digestive issues.
People's emotional responses to fear can be quite different. Some people can find themselves feeling overwhelmed, panicked, or even feel like they might be dying. This individual fear response is why some people laugh when they are scared, and other people cry. Our emotional response is based on previous experiences, thoughts and feelings - but all of them can make it difficult to make logical decisions.
FEAR CAN BE A SYMPTOM OF OTHER PROBLEMS
Fear is sometimes a symptom of a wider anxiety disorder. For instance, a fear of needles can be part of a wider health anxiety. Successfully dealing with these types of fears can require working on the wider issue, rather than just on the presenting fear.
HOW TO DEAL WITH FEAR
When a fear starts affecting your life, many people decide it is time to do something about it.
People will sometimes find that talking therapists like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can help. With CBT, a logical and methodical approach is taken to breaking down the fear and finding better ways to cope.
These type of therapies are available on both the NHS and privately.
Some people use desensitisation. This involves deliberately putting yourself into a situation where you are required to deal with the fear. The theory is that as you gradually exposure yourself to the situation, you realise that the fear is irrational and that you are safe.
This can sometimes be very successful but needs to be used carefully and ideally under the guidance of a professional, as it can make things worse if done incorrectly.
Although medication won't reduce deal with the cause of the fear, it can help with some of the symptoms such as the anxiety or racing heart rate. This would be prescribed with by a GP, potentially alongside a referral to a counselling service.
Many people find that hypnotherapy can help with fear. Specialist hypnotherapy techniques can address the cause of the fear and the behaviour that it causes, often without needing to discuss the cause, which can sometimes be painful to talk about.
Hypnotherapy can be a fast and effective way of tackling your fear, whatever that might be.
If you see me for help with your fear, my aim is to get you to a position where you can deal with the situation or object in a calmer manner, rather than have you be thrilled about having to do so.
For instance, I want you to be able to attend your blood test just like anyone else and be able to have the needle in your arm, rather than be excited for weeks at the prospect of having an injection.
If you have a fear of spiders, my aim is to get you to be able to put one out of the window, not to keep a pet tarantula.
I do not use desensitisation in my sessions, so you will not be forced to confront your fear if you do not want to (and sometimes it is not practical - I don't have a plane I can take you on holiday on!) but clients often find that they are interested and curious about the thing they have been scared of (although this is not the same as liking it!)
As a Cognitive Hypnotherapist, I'm trained in a wide range of techniques to help you manage your fear.
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Maybe we'll use classic hypnotherapy techniques, where you'll be guided in a deep state of relaxation so that you can let go of your past fears.
Or maybe we'll use eye movement based techniques to encourage a state of emotional change.
Perhaps we'll use provocative questioning to help you break down your fear so that it simply no longer affects you.
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If you choose to come and see me for help with your fear, you are free to book however many sessions you like. Simple fears can often be dealt with in one session, but more complex fears, or fears that have guilt and shame attached, will require two or more sessions.