The vast majority of things that worry us never happen. Of the things do happen, they hardly ever happen in the way that we anticipate. Yet, for many, these concerns cause us to agonize, and the anxiety results in emotional and physical stress.
Everyone experiences some levels of anxiety. In fact, some anxiety at normal levels is necessary. Anxiety associated with emergency situations triggers the appropriate mental and physical responses. In normal day-to-day activities, anticipation moves us to action and production necessary for survival. However, anxiety that gets out of control severely impacts a person’s life. It can interfere with daily functions and eventually lead to long term mental and physical health issues. Anxiety combines feels such as fear, restlessness, and worry. Anxiety is often manifested in stress. Think of stress as everything that is opposite of relaxation. As in anxiety, some stress is welcomed. A gym workout involves intentional stress on our muscles. Normal work is accompanied by stress, such as getting up early in the morning and fighting the commuter traffic. But stress triggered by unfounded anxiety can lead to heart palpitations, chest pain, digestive issues, and shortness of breath.
In fact, our physical health and physical acts point to stress brought on by anxiety. The list that follows highlights fifty symptoms of stress that can serve as warning signs that stress needs to be managed, and hypnotherapy offers effective solutions.
- Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain
- Gritting, grinding teeth
- Stuttering or stammering
- Tremors, trembling of lips or hands
- Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
- Light headedness, faintness, dizziness
- Ringing, buzzing, “popping sounds”
- Frequent blushing, sweating
- Cold or sweaty hands or feet
- Dry mouth, problems swallowing
- Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores
- Rashes, itching, hives, goose bumps
- Unexplained or frequent allergy attacks
- Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
- Excess belching, flatulence
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control
- Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing
- Sudden attacks of life threatening panic
- Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse
- Frequent urination
- Diminished sexual desire or performance
- Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
- Increased anger, frustration, hostility
- Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
- Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
- Trouble learning new information
- Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
- Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
- Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
- Little interest in appearance, punctuality
- Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
- Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
- Overreaction to petty annoyances
- Increased number of minor accidents
- Obsessive or compulsive behavior
- Reduced work efficiency or productivity
- Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
- Rapid or mumbles speech
- Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
- Problems in communication, sharing
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue
- Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs
- Weight gain or loss without a diet
- Increases smoking, alcohol or drug use
- Excessive gambling or impulse buying
Panic Attacks are sudden, intense periods of disabling fear. Often characterized by breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, and nausea, they reoccur unexpectedly, creating long term fear and anticipation of the net attack.
Obsessive thoughts are those undesired and repetitive fears on an idea or grouping of ideas provoking anxiety and disrupting life.
Phobias are a serious problem for many. Think FEAR. Not just any fear, or an appropriate fear, such as the fear of a rattlesnake you may have walked up on during your hike (run!), but an overwhelming and persistent fear of an object, a person, or a situation. Phobias often imprison a sufferer.
Low self-esteem is a problem for people with solidified poor (negative) view of themselves. Low self-esteem seriously handcuffs a person’s entire life, affecting health, income, and relationships.
A variety of digestive issues from a run-of-the-mill stomach ache to a more serious and life-complicating disorder such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are caused by, linked to, or exacerbated by stress and anxiety.
Sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless sleep, or limited sleep can all cause a lack of sleep that can contribute to other problems, including the problems of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, depression, arthritis, and kidney disease.
Hypnotherapists explore a range of particular themes during client sessions for anxiety. One early element of discovery involves the client’s history with anxiety. The therapist will observe patterns of anxiety and stress, noting the effects of these conditions in the client’s everyday life.
Another certain element for the therapy is one of encouragement, confidence building, and the raising of overall self-esteem. Along with this positive influence, the client and the therapist will discuss healthy, constructive ways of coping with legitimate concerns and will agree upon the implementation processes to make that happen. For instance, legitimate work concerns may lead to plans for seeking alternative work conditions or maybe venturing on to new employment.
The hypnotherapist will most likely assist the client in focusing on a constructive, realistic, but less worrisome future. This image will serve as encouragement in the present.
Elsewhere on this website, the processes of the actual hypnotherapy sessions are discussed. Hypnotherapy proves to be both efficient in time, and effective in results for those suffering with anxiety and the attendant stress.