Fears and Phobias

We all have fears, even though we may not admit to them! These can range from a fear of Dentists or medical treatment, to having an interview or exam, speaking out at a public or work event, or to flying and of course the dreaded spider!

When a fear begins to affect the way we have to organise our lives then it can develop into a true Phobia. This means that someone may find they never allow themselves to go abroad, because of their phobia of flying, or perhaps never go for that vital dental work because of a phobia of dentists.

From primitive times our bodies have reacted to any threat in the same way. Do I run or do I stay and fight? The body then prepares for whichever way we decide to go. This involves raising the heart rate, releasing natural chemicals into the bloodstream giving us those familiar feelings of a knotted stomach, faster breathing, tense muscles and possibly sweating and even dizziness.

Nowadays that reaction can still occur when our primitive mind receives a dangerous threat particularly if this happens when we are not expecting it, or when we are too young to understand what is happening. Perhaps a toddler is stung by a bee. It hurts and everyone around the child seems to make a fuss and panic. The child then grows to become anxious about even the sight or sound of a bee, and also to fear the feelings that it produces in their body. This can then become a fear when outside on a summer’s day, and the fight or flight reaction this produces leads to feeling of panic, or fear of fear, where the person involved often doesn’t know why they have such overwhelming symptoms.

Of course fear does serve a positive purpose too. It keeps us alive! It’s definitely better not to get stung if you can avoid it, better not to jump over the rail of that 200 feet high cliff, or into that deep looking lake.

At Darlington Hypnotherapy Associates we can work through the issues that have caused people to develop fears and phobias, and allow them to release the anxiety and stress that act as triggers to them, as they learn to relax and gain the confidence to recognise and control their own symptoms effectively.

Call 0845 263 7062 or 0845 263 7063 now to arrange an appointment for your free consultation, or email us at:

 info@darlingtonhypnoassociates.co.uk