Can Hypnosis Really Help Reduce Anxiety, or Is It Just a Quick Fix?

www.amycinnamond.com

Anxiety is a common issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s occasional stress about an upcoming event or a more profound anxiety that never seems to dissipate, it can significantly impact our daily lives. We seek many different ways to manage anxiety, and the methods are not a one-size-fits-all solution. What some people find works for them simply doesn’t work for others. We all have our own perspectives on things, and most importantly, anxiety is NOT the same for everybody. How one person experiences anxiety is very different from how another person experiences it. There might be some common factors that we can generalize, but if you really hone in on the specifics of how the anxious response is occurring, you’ll find significant differences. And it’s because of this uniqueness that hypnosis can play an important role in helping to reduce anxiety.

But before we delve into the realm of hypnosis and why it’s helpful for anxiety, it’s essential to understand what anxiety is. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, characterised by feelings of fear, apprehension, and worry. While a degree of anxiety can be healthy and motivating, chronic anxiety can hinder everyday functioning and lead to various psychological and physical health issues.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and sometimes, though not always, deep relaxation. It is often misunderstood as a mystical or magical phenomenon, and that is simply due to a lack of understanding. In reality, hypnosis is a legitimate psychological technique that allows individuals to access their subconscious mind, opening the door to changing perceptions, emotions, and behaviours. There have been thousands of peer-reviewed studies conducted on the impact and effectiveness of hypnosis, many of which you can find on Google Scholar.

Four Main Ways Hypnosis Helps With Reducing Anxiety  

1. Changing Mental Imagery: One of the primary evidence-based techniques that I personally use in my practice is guided visualization, simply because it works. Many people create pictures or movies in their minds of worst-case scenarios. Whether you know this or not, it’s happening on an unconscious level. By changing the components-the sub-modalities-of the representation you’ve created, you can immediately feel the effects on your body. Clients often find that their inner dialogue becomes less fearful, allowing them to regain a sense of control by focusing on what they would actually want to happen rather than fearing the worst.

2. Rewiring Thought Patterns: For me, hypnosis is all about creating a new perspective. In simple terms, that’s what happens when you ‘rewire’ your thoughts. You’re transferring the energy that was put into one way of thinking into another. The result is immediate and effective; it can be very useful in addressing deeply ingrained thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. Many of the thought patterns we have aren’t within our conscious awareness-they’re happening unconsciously. Changing even the simplest thing can create a whole new pathway of thinking.

3. Promoting Relaxation: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is another technique I often use. Again, it’s evidence-based-science tells us that it works and has major positive effects. PMR alone can be effective, especially when combined with hypnotic suggestions. The deep relaxation that often accompanies hypnosis can provide an immediate sense of relief and tranquility, allowing individuals to break the cycle of anxiety. This break provides an opportunity to implement change that might not have had the chance to come to light any other way. It’s in that moment of turning your attention inward that you can truly find your own resources to make dramatic change. And of course, who doesn’t like to feel deeply relaxed, calm, and composed? Many of my clients leave their sessions feeling just that.

4. Empowerment: Many people suffering from anxiety feel powerless against their fears, often saying things like “it’s just the way I am” or “this is how it’s always been.” The fearful state is no longer seen as a temporary experience; it has become their identity. To change things on an identity level, we have to work at the same level-the unconscious. When we feel that we have no control over our thoughts, actions, and feelings, it’s often because they’re out of our conscious awareness. We attempt  to come up with a logical explanation, but that logical thinking part of us isn’t the aspect of the mind running the programme of our identity-it’s an unconscious programme that's been developed over time, from the moment we were conceived. 

Hypnosis is a process that works on the same level as your unconscious mind, allowing you to let go of aspects of your old self that are no longer needed. I don’t think of it as deleting anything, because if you want to, you can always go back to your old ways-the choice has always been yours. I like to think of it as releasing old aspects that once served a purpose at a particular point in time; now that time has passed, things are different. Just as time moves forward and things change, we too need to evolve. Yet, the habitual nature that wants to stay within the safety net of what is known often holds us back from growing and expanding into new, improved aspects of ourselves that are just waiting to be discovered.

So, it remains to be said that hypnosis is not a one-size-fits-all solution to anxiety, nor is it a magical quick fix. However, it can be a valuable tool in the broader context of anxiety management strategies. By shifting mental imagery, rewiring thought patterns, and promoting relaxation, hypnosis can help you gain a greater sense of control over anxiety.

If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, exploring hypnosis as part of a plan to make meaningful changes in your life is definitely a worthwhile venture. As with any therapeutic approach, it's crucial to work with a qualified professional who can guide you through the process. The mind's capacity to learn and adapt is remarkable, and with the right tools and support, a more balanced and fulfilling life is waiting for you.

If you're curious about how hypnosis can help you manage your anxiety, I invite you to schedule a free chat with me. Together, we can explore whether this approach is right for you and begin your journey toward a more empowered life.

Amy Cinnamond

ICBCH Professional Hypnotist

www.amycinnamond.com