| Phobias are intense and irrational fears that create | | | | therapy which helps people to retrain their |
| strong fear and panic in a person. They interfere | | | | thoughts and responses. However, many people |
| with a person's ability to socialize, work and in | | | | have had great success in overcoming phobias |
| severe cases, live normally. | | | | through the use of hypnosis. Hypnosis is used to |
| Most people experience anxiety or fear about | | | | treat phobias by reprogramming thinking patterns. |
| certain events in their lives. For example, it is | | | | Hypnosis is able to by-pass the conscious mind |
| stressful for the majority of people to attend a | | | | with its tendency to resist change. The |
| job interview or to be assessed for performance | | | | suggestions target the subconscious mind and are |
| at work. Phobias, however, are irrational fears | | | | readily accepted. |
| that can prevent people from living normal lives. | | | | The fears which cause phobias reside in the |
| Phobias belong to a spectrum of mental problems | | | | subconscious mind. The original cause of the fear |
| known as "anxiety disorders" and can be | | | | may have been valid but is no longer real. |
| separated into three basic types: specific phobias, | | | | Hypnosis can reach this part of the mind and give |
| social phobia and agoraphobia. Specific phobias | | | | it suggestions to ease the anxiety and convince it |
| revolve around the fear of a specific object or | | | | that there is no longer any valid reason to retain |
| situation. | | | | these fears. |
| Common specific phobias include fear of flying, | | | | Common phobias aided (and even cured) by |
| and fear of snakes and spiders. If the specific | | | | hypnosis include: |
| phobia is not encountered often in a person's life, | | | | Fear of flying and other forms of travel. |
| it will probably not be very disruptive. However, if | | | | Fear of heights. |
| it is a common occurrence then the afflicted | | | | Fear of childbirth. |
| person may well be living in an unhealthy mental | | | | Fear of animals (usually a specific type). |
| and emotional state and not be functioning at their | | | | Fear of insects (spiders are very common). |
| best. | | | | Fear of performing. |
| Social phobias include being afraid of being | | | | Stage fright. |
| watched and evaluated by others when in public, | | | | Claustrophobia and agoraphobia. |
| fear of public speaking and stage fright. People | | | | Fear of nightmares (can cause insomnia). |
| experiencing social phobias are more than just | | | | Fear of the dark. |
| uncomfortable or worried, they are intensely | | | | Fear of doctors and dentists. |
| anxious. | | | | Fear of exams. |
| Agoraphobia is a fear of being trapped and of | | | | Unlike medication based treatment, hypnosis has |
| experiencing a panic attack in a public place. A | | | | no negative side-effects. Even |
| panic attack is usually the trigger for agoraphobia. | | | | cognitive-behavioural therapies can have negative |
| When many people experience a panic attack | | | | side-effects because some of them can trigger |
| away from home, they fear the experience | | | | severe panic in order to desensitize a person. This |
| occurring again and therefore desire to avoid | | | | is extremely traumatic for many people. Hypnosis, |
| public places. For many people, this means never | | | | on the other hand is very relaxing and soothes |
| leaving home. | | | | the nerves. It calms anxiety and gently gives |
| The symptoms of phobias include a sense of | | | | suggestions directly to the subconscious mind. As |
| terror and often impending disaster, increased | | | | such it offers benefits even beyond the purpose |
| heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating palms. | | | | of eliminating phobias. |
| These symptoms can be triggered by simply | | | | As a practicing hypnotherapist, I have helped |
| expecting the event or circumstance that triggers | | | | many clients to overcome debilitating fears and |
| the phobia. For example, people who have a fear | | | | beat phobias and thereby become fully functional |
| of flying may experience anxiety symptoms for | | | | and successful human beings. If you are suffering |
| days before the event. | | | | and want to beat a phobias that is limiting your |
| Phobias can have a strong hold on individuals. | | | | choices and your life, I strongly recommend you |
| Traditional methods of dealing with phobias include | | | | seek the services of a qualified hypnotherapist |
| the use of medications to block feelings of | | | | near you. |
| anxiety and panic, and cognitive-behavioural | | | | |