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Original poster

Has anyone tried hypnotherapy for low self esteem / confidence issues?

28 replies

drunkPunk · 26/10/2019 20:07

I've found a local hypnotherapist and it's fairly expensive. Around £70 per session. I can save up for a few months but I don't want to waste my money and wondered if anyone has had it and what the outcome was.

How much did it change your negative core beliefs, anxieties etc

I've tried lots of self help books and even had CBT through the NHS but nothing has really helped.

Any experiences no matter what the hypnotherapy was for would be helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
drunkPunk · 26/10/2019 20:51

Bump!

OP posts:
magicmallow · 26/10/2019 20:55

hello, I often use this guy's videos, he is amazing

you listen as you are going to sleep as that is when your subconscious is at it's most receptive:

this is just one of many videos, you could even make a playlist.
doesn't matter if you fall asleep while listening as your subconscious is still taking it in.

Best of all, it's free. Try repeating the same video every night for a few weeks for best results. He has the most hypnotic voice!

Original poster
drunkPunk · 27/10/2019 07:56

magicmallow thank you. I will check the videos out. Have they actually helped you with whatever issue you had?

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magicmallow · 27/10/2019 08:19

weirdly yes although I have never managed a couple of weeks, I have done a few days with them then forget.

I should probably stick it out a bit longer, but I listened to "releasing subconscious blockages" for a few nights, and it prompted me to book in with a counsellor over some very old issues. Also there's a new beginnings one that seemed to push me into moving to a new office at work.

If you want to commit to doing some together for 2 - 3 weeks I'd be up for it!! Someone to answer to and check in with every day or every other day... I am thinking of doing some weight loss ones and self confidence ones.... :)

Fancy it?

ifeellikeanidiot · 27/10/2019 08:24

Hi OP,

I use the apps and mp3s by a hypnotherapist called Andrew Johnson. I've found them incredibly helpful. He has two in particular that I like which might work for you: boosting confidence and relax. They cost maybe four pound each but are well worth the money. I've tried lots of different downloads and online hypnosis and these have been the best by miles.

Maccapacca88 · 27/10/2019 08:28

Ooh, if you do a two week thing I’d like to join in! My anxiety is really ramping up at the moment-always does as the winter sets in- would like to try something other than upping meds!

ifeellikeanidiot · 27/10/2019 08:30

@magicmallow I'll join you in committing to regular hypnosis.

It has such a huge impact on my wellbeing but I'm out of the habit. I think I listened to Andrew Johnsons stuff so much in the last ten years that now I can't listen anymore - it's just too familiar! I haven't found anyone else I like since so I've given up. I haven't tried the you tube guy you linked to, I might have a listen now.

SmiteTheeWithThunderbolts · 27/10/2019 08:44

I tried it for social anxiety. I think the biggest benefit I got was the 30 minutes of me talking at the beginning of each session, as it showed me that I was able to talk freely about myself (in the right conditions) - and could actually enjoy it - whereas before I was always reluctant to talk about myself in general conversation. I also enjoyed the experience of hypnosis and I think learning the process of physical/mental relaxation has helped me to sleep better ever since.

So it didn't really have the direct outcome I expected but I'm glad I tried it.

Original poster
drunkPunk · 27/10/2019 08:45

magicmallow oh wow. In just a few sessions it made a difference? I was thinking it would take a good few months of listening to see a difference.

Ok. I'll join you with the 2 week challenge! Let's do this! We can start today!

Do you listen morning and evening or is once a day ok?.

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Original poster
drunkPunk · 27/10/2019 08:50

SmiteTheeWithThunderbolts I have social anxiety too and that's the main reason I want to see a hypnotherapist.

How many sessions did you have? My social anxiety stems from early childhood. I've tried so much to help myself but nothing has helped. I am so desperate and don't know what to do.

So even though you felt it helped you learn to relax mentally and physically it didn't do anything for the social anxiety?

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magicmallow · 27/10/2019 13:56

@drunkpunk @ifeellikeanidiot

cool let's give it a try from tonight!

For the ones I did before it was maybe every night for 3 nights then a couple of other times over the next week, so not that long. I do think I would get a much bigger benefit from doing it for longer, I don't think I did it long enough for it to last. That said the benefits from doing a few days seemed to be a good indicator that it works. Remains to be seen what two or three weeks worth would do - much more I would hope!!

magicmallow · 27/10/2019 13:57

NB I just listen in the evening as I am going to sleep. I haven't done them in the daytime before, might add an extra boost though. I think a lot of them are intended for the presleep bedtime time, as that's when your mind is more receptive, as it's going into Theta state.

magicmallow · 27/10/2019 14:02

if anyone is interested, here is an explanation as to why it works to do it at night

RetreatingWeasels · 27/10/2019 17:31

I've just recently finished a course of 6 sessions of hypnotherapy. I also suffer from low self confidence, low self esteem; I always have a little voice in my head my father's telling me I'm stupid, that I can't do anything and so on.

I had an initial session to discuss my issues and she asked me where I wanted to get to, what change did I want. We went through everything I was having issues with and she said she was sure she could help.
I block booked 6 sessions which she offered as a "package" (I could have stuck to individual sessions or booked 4, but this worked out cheaper per session). Each session was 30 minutes of talking with an explanation of how the brain works/ what causes the negativity, plus a "what do you want from today" discussion, and also she'd ask for 3 things that were good from the week.

I really really struggled in the beginning, but I've started now to notice more when things are good. It can be something as simple as getting a parking space, or finding tonight's dinner in the reduced section in the supermarket. It really doesn't have to be anything major. You just stop focusing on all the shit stuff and pay more attention to when something goes right.

Then you get the 30 minutes therapy, which with my lady is encouraging deep relaxation (I've fallen asleep 2 of the 6 sessions) while she talks, with a mix of some essential oils chosen for their properties. I leave feeling much brighter. I have a recording from her that I play every night and I always fall asleep during it.

I have noticed a change in my thinking even in that short time. I was called in to a meeting at work to be unexpectedly told off. Normally I would get really upset or angry, end up in tears and wouldn't be able to get my point across, but I was able to calmly say what I needed to, it got sorted and I was able to go back to work and not mull it over and over and wish I'd said something different.

The only downside is that it is horribly expensive, so having paid out for the 6 week block I really can't find that sort of money again for quite a while. I'm hoping the effects will continue just with using the recording and trying to concentrate on the good.

I've had years of counselling but I don't think it helps to constantly mull over what still hurts from the past. This way seems a much more productive way of changing your mindset. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Original poster
drunkPunk · 27/10/2019 18:12

RetreatingWeasels wow. Thank you so much for explaining it. I'm so glad you've found it helpful. Yes it is bloody expensive!

I, too have a very negative inner voice- I literally don't say a positive thing to myself at all. Did you find your inner voice was more positive / kinder to yourself?

The person I have in mind if I go ahead with hypnotherapy offers a free 45min consultation. I hadn't thought about what I want. I'm focussed so much on what's all wrong with me etc that I don't even know what my end point is as daft as that sounds. I was just I don't want to have such low self esteem! I think I will have a good think about what I want out of it.

How long ago did you have the sessions and how long do the effects last? Do you need "top up" sessions down the line in the future? I have so many questions- sorry!

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Original poster
drunkPunk · 28/10/2019 07:02

Hey! Did you guys play a track last night. I played one for bruxism and then another for social anxiety. I kept waking up in the middle of the tracks!

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magicmallow · 28/10/2019 08:31

morning drunkpunk - yes I did a playlist! I think if you're waking up in the middle it's a sign it's working, as it means between "waking" you've gone into the subconscious bit!!

I did the releasing subconscious blockages, and had weird dreams about old friends and some deep issues around a falling out! And the weight loss ones... I woke up craving green tea!

RetreatingWeasels · 28/10/2019 21:18

My last session was last week. I have felt better week on week, so I hope it will stay with me. She said she will touch base with me again in January to see how it's going, but seemed confident there'd been enough of a change for it to continue. My inner voice has certainly quietened down a bit.

Like you, I really didn't give any thought to what I wanted to achieve when I first went. All I could come up with was wanting to make decisions by myself and turning the voice off. She knew exactly what I was talking about. I'm sure once you start talking you will be able to identify what you need, even if it is just to shut the voice up. Grin

ifeellikeanidiot · 28/10/2019 21:57

I did an old favourites called build confidence. I always feels lot better the day after I've listened to it. Must use it tonight too.

Original poster
drunkPunk · 28/10/2019 22:36

I'm going to try the bruxism one again. I would be delighted and amazed if there's an improvement again. It honestly has such a negative impact on my skeep.

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Original poster
drunkPunk · 28/10/2019 22:38

RetreatingWeasels your positive experience has been really encouraging. I really want to do it now. Just the money is the main obstacle!

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Blingandrings · 28/10/2019 22:47

I am a trained hypnotherapist although not practising anymore. Hypnotherapy is incredibly useful and powerful. It really does work. However find someone well qualified and experienced . Some people do a course of four days and think that is a qualification. It’s not. It’s worth the money if it changes your life and will be much cheaper than years of talking therapy! Hypnotherapy works with the unconscious which is very powerful.

IndieTara · 28/10/2019 22:51

Op i went to a hypnotherapist to help with panic attacks as they were so awful.

After 3 sessions they were easily 70% better. I've never managed to get rid of them completely but can deal with them loads better now

Original poster
drunkPunk · 29/10/2019 06:07

IndieTara so glad it helped you. Even if I saw a 50% improvement in myself I would be over the moon. Part of me feels unfixable though. I've been like this for so long that I don't think anyone can fix me. I'm just wired wrong but I will give it a shot.

Blingandrings can I ask if you think I would get good results. My issues are very very low self esteem and social anxiety which probably stems from childhood. My thoughts about myself / my anxieties are still the same. It's like my brain is running on a programme that was installed when I was 4 and I can't seem to override it. Im not sure if I'm explaining myself properly!

If you don't mind can I pm you the website of a couple of local hypnotherapists as I don't know which one has the appropriate training. It's all about confusing. If you could have a quick.look through to see who looks ok, I would really appreciate it.

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IndieTara · 29/10/2019 08:25

@drunkPunk it really did plus this was 15 years ago and it's still helping. Im such a non believer generally about that kind of thing but I was desperate so tried it. I'd do it again if needed