Anxiety Treatment Hypnotherapy, CBT and Mindfulness 

A  powerful unique combination of  dynamic treatments for anxiety.

The anxiety treatment that your GP will probably recommend  is CBT . This has been the governments anxiety treatment of choice for NHS patients. I was amongst the first therapists trained in CBT within the NHS being involved in the original pilot study during the 1990’s at North Birmingham Mental Health Trust. Currently waiting lists are high and long for CBT on the NHS and the treatment is often very limited typically between 4 and 8 sessions.

You will find that combining CBT with hypnosis creates faster results and may be the best option for you as an anxiety treatment. Cognitive Hypnotherapy is more cost effective than CBT alone as an anxiety treatment. The benefits of cognitive hypnotherapy are enhanced by adding Mindfulness into this anxiety treatment. This can immediately help you take control of your emotions and ruminating negative thought patterns. If you are looking for a fast effective evidence based treatment for anxiety look no further.  I am a fully trained Mental Health Specialist, a Cognitive Hypnotherapist  experienced and qualified in CBT and hypnosis . Together we can treat your anxiety quickly, safely and effectively. Please  download my free breathing meditation available at the top of the menu bar of each page, this will help to begin to ease the symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety Treatment, How can I help?

Anxiety is a normal and natural experience that  we all have at some time I have seen many many people over the years with anxiety and anxiety based problems. An NHS specialist mental health nurse practitioner for over 25 years. My expert skills and training in anxiety management are extensive and probably second to none in this area. I have been employed privately by  GP practices to provide anxiety management programs for both groups and individuals. I have also provided anxiety management training for HM prison service for young offenders.

I  help people just like you, to be able to manage their anxiety and in some cases eliminate the symptoms altogether. The anxiety treatments that I use are Hypnosis, Mindfulness and CBT. These therapies are scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Anxiety is manageable, you can deal with this, you do have the inner resources. Together we can work towards you living more comfortably within you so that you can become more resilient emotionally and mentally ………Call Fiona now on 07968258113 or email to fiona@chesterhypnotherapist.co.uk

Feeling tense, uncertain and, perhaps fearful at the thought of sitting an exam, going into hospital, attending an interview or starting a new job is perfectly natural. If everything goes well, your anxiety subsides.This type of short-term anxiety is useful at times, feeling a little nervous before  an exam can make you  more alert, and enhance your performance.  If the feelings of anxiety overwhelm you then your ability to concentrate and do well may suffer and may even result in a panic attack. Chronic anxiety can impact hugely on your life and if left untreated can lead to depression. Knowing when anxiety is becoming a real problem in your life is crucial so that you can seek help and stop things getting worse as soon as possible. Anxiety can cause serious emotional distressfor people who are ordinarily extremely capable, confident and successful. So if you are experiencing a constant sense of dread, feel fearful, feel physically ill with worry, have begun to avoid certain situations, are feeling hopeless, tense and irritable with an increasing sense of dread then call Fiona now on 07968258113. Or email: fiona@chesterhypnotherapist.co.uk.
I have produced a series of hypnosis and mindfulness recordings specifically designed for the treatment of anxiety. 

So what is going on?

Anxiety and fear can protect you from danger. When you feel under threat, anxiety and fear trigger the release of hormones, such as adrenalin this causes your heart to beat faster to carry blood where it’s most needed. You breathe faster to provide the extra oxygen required for energy. You sweat to prevent overheating. Your mouth may feel dry, as your digestive system slows down to allow more blood to be sent to your muscles. Your senses become heightened and your brain becomes more alert.

These changes make your body able to take action and protect you in a  dangerous situation either by running away or fighting. It is known as the ‘fight or flight’ reflex. Once the danger has passed, other hormones are released,which may cause you to shake as your muscles start to relax.

This response is useful for protecting you against physical dangers; for example, it can help you run away from wild animals, attackers, fires etc. very quickly. The response is not so useful if you want to run away from exams, public speaking, a driving test, or having an injection. This is because, if there is no physical threat, and you have no need to physically run away or fight, the effects of adrenaline subside more slowly, and you may go on feeling agitated for a long time.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is an exaggeration of the body’s normal response to fear, stress or excitement. It is the rapid build-up of overwhelming sensations, such as a pounding heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, chest pains, breathing discomfort, feelings of losing control, shaky limbs and legs turning to jelly. If you experience this, you may fear that you are going mad, blacking out, or having a heart attack. You may be convinced you are going to die in the course of the attack  making this a terrifying experience.Panic attacks come on very quickly, symptoms usually peaking within 10 minutes. They can last for between 5 and 20 minutes.

Panic attacks can also come in the night and wake you up. These  attacks occur if your brain is on ‘high alert’ (due to anxiety) and can detect small changes in your body which it then interprets as a sign of danger. Attacks during the night may be particularly frightening, as you may feel confused and are helpless to do anything to spot them coming.

Yes, some people do feel more anxious than others

If you worry more than others, it may be because of your personality, current circumstances and stressors, your past or childhood experience; it could be a mixture of these. Perhaps you worry about the future, you may feel anxious about events beyond your control, you possibly have thoughts of becoming ill or about dying, or of losing your job or home.

Over time you can begin to fear the symptoms of anxiety, especially the feeling of being out of control. This can set up a vicious cycle of anxiety. You feel anxious because you dread feeling the symptoms of anxiety, and then you experience those symptoms because you are having anxious thoughts.But sometimes it seems that the feeling is there first and the negative thought follows causing yet more anxiety. The whole cycle becomes overwhelming and your whole life can seem to be over taken with anxiety and worry. Sometimes this can lead to a phobia developing, problems within personal relationships can occur and difficulties at work may also be present.

Anxiety can have an effect on both your bodyand your mind.

Physical effects of anxiety that you may experience include:

  • Persistent Headaches including chronic throbbing pain or intense sharp stabbing pains.
  • When you feel anxious you may feel light-headed and shaky and that you are going to faint.
  • Anxiety can make you feel your heart racing sometimes as though it is pounding.
  • You may feel nauseous and even vomit when anxious.
  • Anxiety may cause ” butterflies” in your stomach with you having a sense of dread or impending doom.
  • You may feel an urgent need to visit the toilet when highly anxious.
  • Anxiety can cause disturbed sleep,  with you having difficulty in getting off to sleep or waking during the night worrying.
  • You may experience digestive difficulties, indigestion and heartburn when suffering with anxiety.

People with chronic anxiety often feel depressed as well.

Psychological and emotional effects of Anxiety include:

Feelings of increasing irritability, along with restlessness and agitation.

  • When Anxious you may have difficulty in concentrating and focusing on work or everyday conversations.
  • Anxiety may make you feel unable to relax and enjoy yourself.
  • When suffering with anxiety you may feel lonely and isolated with an increasing sense of feeling out of touch with your friends and family.
  • Eating too much or too little can also become an issue with anxiety, fluctuations in weight can make you even more anxious.
  • A loss self esteem and  lack of confidence are common problems with anxiety.
  • Sometimes people turn to alcohol or drugs to help them manage their symptoms and this can lead to yet more problems in everyday living causing yet more anxiety.
  • A number of people may develop obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours such as checking locks and doors or excessive hand washing or cleaning this pattern becomes circular as you seek more and more reassurance so you become more and more anxious.