Hypnotherapy for Panic Attacks in Berkshire

Hypnotherapy for Panic Attacks and Stress in Berkshire -   The Hypnosis Clinic

A well-dressed executive fidgets at the boardroom table; for some reason he can't seem to understand what the other directors are saying. "What's the matter with me? I can't concentrate! My stomach feels like one big knot!"

A young mother stands in the line at the supermarket. "Six people ahead of me and the baby won't stop crying. I can't stand this waiting; I feel as though I'm going to pass out!"

Panic attacks have earned their name very well. The first time it happens the person is taken by surprise and caught in panic for all the signs and symptoms are just like those felt by a dying person. It is common for the person to feel quite at ease one minute and find that the next minute he/she is struck by utter terror.

For a confidential discussion call Amreeta Chapman on 0118 926 9978 / 0786 129 3634 or visit her website at www.innerpotential.info

The most common symptoms of a panic attack are:

Racing heartbeat

Difficult breathing/panting

Fear of dying

Chest pains

Blurry vision

Ringing in ears

Dizziness/nausea

Profuse sweating

Panic attack versus panic disorder:

A panic disorder is diagnosed when a person has had four or more panic attacks in one month or one panic attack followed by a month of fear of having another attack. Panic disorder is the next step up from panic attacks and it is usually known that it takes longer for a person to recover once he/she is diagnosed as having panic disorder.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by other symptoms along with the above e.g. depression and may lead to phobias developing to situations where panic attacks have occurred.

Panic attacks are a form of fear but after the first attack it becomes more a fear of the fear situation. Compared to a phobia where the feeling of fear occurs every time one goes near the feared object sufferers of panic attacks experience intense fear of the unknown. After the first "out of the blue" attack the person lives with an internal, constant self-generated fear of another attack.

HYPNOTHERAPY AND PANIC ATTACKS:

A Hypnotherapist works with the Doctor's diagnosis in cases of panic attacks. After the first panic attack the client usually experiences what we term as Panic Escalation which shows four phases:

The client makes unrealistic self-statements that keep them in state of constant alarm and their body become tense due to the fight or flight response.

The client begins to fear the fear itself; as their nerves and bodies become more sensitised they begin to anticipate the panic attack.

The client begins to reject their own rational feelings and thoughts as their fear escalates.

The client will begin to avoid any situation where they perceive they may experience feelings of panic; if they do enter an avoided situation then a panic attack occurs.

The mind is a very powerful thing and it can be tuned, programmed to receive suggestions quite easily, though still maintaining control and understanding. The mind controls all of our thoughts - good and bad - but can sometimes be tricked into believing things that are "not quite right" which then signals other parts of the body to react accordingly which is exactly what happens in panic attacks.

Through hypnotherapy the aim is to relax the conscious mind to such an extent that we can feed the unconscious mind with healthier ways of coping with stress situations, their breathing process and the fears. Through visualisation in a trance state the daunting images the client consciously carries of having another attack and dying are replaced with feelings of control; in the relaxed state when the client looks upon the symptoms he/she feels in charge of the body's response and regain his sense of power over his/her body and mind.

Below is a testimonial from a client who informs me that he is doing very well even after two years, when he came for hypnotherapy for her son:

“Whenever it was announced at work that we are going to travel to another country for a conference or business meeting, my palms would start sweating, my heartbeats would race and my mind would panic at least two weeks beforehand. I have not been able to sit in a plane or drive in a car free from panic feelings for fourteen years. It all started with this panic attack which came out of nowhere one day.   I thought I was dying as I could not breath, my head was spinning and I was suffocating. I was told that it is called “panic attack” something I'd never heard before. After that I never relaxed, when I was away from home. My mind would keep looking for reasons to stay in as I could not trust myself or my body reactions. Hypnotherapy and Amreeta helped develop that confidence and relaxation in my body and mind that I'd thought was lost forever. Now I feel in control and confident that I can deal with stress or panic feelings easily, as I have the tools of hypnosis to use. I have to thank hypnotherapy for giving me my freedom back. (Man in late forties, Wokingham)