On Friday the 13th many of you have locked the doors and pulled the covers up and over your heads to hide from a fear or phobia that has been haunting you for years. It could be fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of public speaking, fear of crowded places or even a fear of spiders or snakes. The list could go on and on, but to the people that experience these fears, know they feel real.
What Happens
When we sense danger, the brain reacts instantly, sending signals that activate the sympathetic nervous system. This causes physical responses, such as a faster heartbeat, rapid breathing, and an increase in blood pressure. Blood pumps to muscle groups to prepare the body for physical action and you start to sweat to keep the body cool. Some people might notice other sensations as well in the stomach, head, chest, legs, or hands. These physical sensations of fear can be mild or strong, but in any case, seem very real to the person experiencing them.
This response is known as "fight or flight" because that is exactly what the body is preparing itself to do: fight off the danger or run fast to get away. The body stays in this state of fight–flight until the brain receives an "all clear" message from the parasympathetic nervous system and turns off the response.
Sometimes fears are triggered by something that is startling or unexpected, like a loud noise, even if it's not actually dangerous. That's because the fear reaction is generated by the sympathetic nervous system and is activated instantly — a few seconds faster than the thinking part of the brain can process or evaluate what's happening. As soon as the brain gets enough information to realize there's no danger ("Oh, it's just a balloon bursting — whew!"), it turns off the fear reaction. All this can happen in seconds.
Fears and Phobia’s
Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. It is programmed into the nervous system and works like an instinct. Fear is an instinctual response and your body’s way of protecting you from imminent danger. But what if you’re not actually in jeopardy? Sometimes the fear response can be over-reactive or become triggered when you’re not in any danger at all. Usually, a fear is due to past trauma and has an exact starting point or origin.
Phobias on the other hand, don’t necessarily have a known starting point or perceivable beginning. The phobia is an intense fear reaction to a particular thing or a situation, very often starting in our late teens or early adulthood. A phobia also is out of proportion to the potential danger, but to the person with the phobia, the danger feels real because the fear is so very strong. When a phobia has become so prevalent that you are avoiding activities to avoid confrontation with the possibility of pitfall; it’s time to seek professional help.
How to Help Yourself
As a hypnotherapist, I see people every day who are suffering from anxiety brought on by a fear that has bubbled over into the phobia category. With some practical practice and use of hypnotic techniques, you can take on the world with a relaxed body and a calm mind. Here are just a few of the ways to stomp out your fears when they sneak up on you.
Breathe
When panic starts, the body begins to take in more oxygen in case it has to fight or run away. By changing your breathing to a slow and deliberate pattern, you can calm your body down very quickly. Practice breathing in through the nose to the count of 3 and breathing out through pursed lips to the count of 6. Do this several times and until you feel your pulse start to slow down and normalize.
Perspective
As a human being, you have a unique ability to change your view from one of self-experience to one of self-observance. By simply closing your eyes and imagining that you are watching yourself from above you can gain a new perspective and see things as they truly are. If you are still having trouble, try to imagine that you are watching yourself on a television screen, and then change the viewing from one of color to one of black and white.
Desensitization
Practice seeing yourself in your mind’s eye interacting with the fear in a calm and controlled way. Begin by closing your eyes and picturing yourself in the panic-inducing situation, then quickly switch scenes to one of a peaceful and relaxing place. Repeat this mental exercise until you feel much more relaxed viewing yourself in the scene that would have formerly caused you distress.
Regression
Most people can remember the originating event that instilled the fear, but some cannot. If you are one of those, who cannot recall the memory, it can be helpful to revisit the first occurrence through the use of hypnotic regression. Regression is a technique best used with a practiced professional, but if you are familiar with self-hypnosis, you can safely revisit the past on your own.
Final Thoughts
You no longer have to live in fear and be held back! You can overcome fears and phobias and live a life full of confidence. All of these techniques can be used while in the conscious state, but they are much more powerful and lasting when used in the state of hypnosis.
By making an appointment with a trained hypnotherapist, you will be able to face your former fear without any panic-inducing symptoms. It’s never too late to live a life you’re proud of. I can help.
What are you afraid of?
David Klaproth is a clinically trained and certified hypnotherapist, with a degree in mind body psychology from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, College of Hypnotherapy, in Tarzana, California. He specializes in stress, anxiety, stop smoking, overcoming fears and general self-improvement. He helps clients world wide online become happier, healthier and more productive, becoming the person they really want to be. For more information, visit http://www.KlaprothHypnosis.com.
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