What happens when we feel threatened?
If the subconscious mind detects a threat it prepares the body for action. The mind becomes ‘fully focused’ and adrenaline is released, speeding up the heart rate. Blood courses through the body, oxygenating the muscles in the legs and arms preparing for action. Blood leaves the stomach making us a little nauseous and the bowels and bladder prepare to empty. The slow conscious, rational mind shuts down and the ‘faster’ life preserving subconscious mind takes control. We are now ready for action!
But what if it’s not a real threat but a perceived threat? We are then left with all this adrenaline and pent up energy trapped in our bodies and the ‘slow’ uncomfortable release of energy and hormones begins leaving us tired, tense and aching. People suffering from anxiety and panic attacks are all too familiar with what I have just described.
If this cycle is repeated and we regularily feel under threat the stress hormone ‘cortisol’ is fed into our system so that we are prepared to take action at any moment. Unfortunately if the anxiety is prolonged cortisol can be detrimental to our wellbeing.
The established way of dealing with anxiety is with anti-depressants and talking therapies which address physiology and conscious, rational thought. They do not address the actual problem and that is why they are largely ineffective.
Sigmund Freud said “there is no effect without cause and the cause is usually hidden from the conscious mind”. He also said” amnesia lies at the base of all neurotic symptoms. Our goal is to reveal the forgotten memories through yet to be learned methods” The “yet to be learned methods” have been largely ignored for years by health professionals.
The key to gaining access to these “forgotten memories” is through hypnosis. In hypnosis you can access these anxiety causing memories and re-process them so they don’t bother you any more.
If you want to learn how hypnotherapy can help with anxiety and panic attacks send me a message in the box below or call me on 07899886882.