To ask if hypnotherapy has helped anyone with anxiety disorder?

[bojo7]

I'm desperate to know if this might work for a young adult. I'm also worried about any negative outcomes. Also, if it did help, how many sessions were needed. Thanks.

Not sure if my answer will help at all as I didn't have help for anxiety but for my phobia of spiders. But it did help a lot (I still don't like spiders but am not as terrified as I was). But what I found surprising was that I was always fully conscious of what was happening. I'd expected to be fully 'out of it' and was slightly wary of of what would happen.

I've not had any bad effects from it and have been tempted to go back for other problems (including anxiety related behaviours) but finances are the only thing that have stopped me.

It worked for me for anger management/ stress, I had 3 sessions years ago and now rarely lose my temper or get worked up about much.

Hypnotherapy is usually taught alongside visualisation techniques; I now have a trigger word and 'calm down' visualisation process if I feel myself getting worked up. This also helps me sleep (and saved my marriage)

I had it for anxiety and it really helped. I had 3 sessions and was really pleased with results.

Thanks very much for your responses. Sounds like it is worth him having a go. I was a bit worried about the "messing with the mind" aspect, but it sounds ok.

It's not like stage hypnotherapy. I have had it for anxiety with two therapists probably about 4 years apart. I agree with MyGastl, I never felt completely under and it made me a bit sceptical about whether it would work. I did find it helpful. I think it's a useful way of giving you techniques to cope better. It's not a magic cure, but it's definitely worth a try.

I had it for health anxiety.

It did help, but I think it was more the talking parts that we did that had the most effect.

I couldn't afford to keep it up but it did put me on the road to recovery and gave me some valuable skills for helping myself through a panic attack.

Bojo7 I found it really helpful for my GAD - very safe, restful and helpful rather than a magic cure. Lots of focus on breathing and mindfulness, so would recommend.

Thank you very much. This is very reassuring and I feel hopeful that it will help.

I had hypnotherapy for interview nerves (1 session) and would recommend.

yes!

however, my hypnotherapist said to me that it will only work if I do the accompanying homework eg. I had a CD I HAD to listen to EVERY day - I also had various challenges to work through ie. confront something difficult - she also gave me breathing exercises so if I feel my anxiety rising I can calm myself. Even now, years later if i have something difficult to face I remind myself of the most difficult thing I ever faced and it's never as bad as that - good luck OP - well worth it in my opinion

I had it for an anxiety disorder and it didn't help at all. I had 12 sessions.

My mum had it for fear of flying. It worked a treat. Obviously not comparable to your situation, but hope all insights are helpful.

You might also want to look into EMDR.

Not anxiety-related as such for me, but still an important point hopefully. Find someone you trust. Go through as many as is needed until your dC says 'I like them'. Hypnotherapy is never going to work if dc doesn't believe that the therapist knows something more than they do, or doesn't 'believe' them. It never worked for me because I am snobbish and the people I all happened to try out were obviously not as clued up, as far as I was concerned due to my own background in the wider field, on the process. Each to his own, but as for me it really irked way too much if someone had poor grammar when speaking, or if they didn't know basic psychology and just threw out random names or terms without being able to talk sense about them. So how could I close my eyes and listen and be influenced? See the problem? The same holds for all kinds of therapists and psychiatrist etc etc etc but I should think a young adult, who already rebels against the idea that the world knows more than they do, will find it very hard to 'hand over control' to someone they don't like//trust//look up to//believe.

EMDR is for the treatment of trauma-related problems, not anxiety disorder.

Sparkly,EMDR can also be used for anxiety disorders.

I had EMDR for anxiety that was rooted in trauma, but a therapist would be able to advise if it's suitable for your situation OP.

my dad has just had hypnotherapy for a phobia which was starting to impact on his life. he's as sceptical as they come (think hairy arsed builder) but it worked. I think him wanting it to work was crucial though.

I will check out EMDR, had not heard of this.

Travels, your point is an interesting one. I am sure it is important to have faith in the person. I am not sure how to choose a good one. DS would probably have the therapy in London. I read an old Mumsnet thread where Ali Campbell was recommended, so I rang his office and am awaiting a callback. However he seems to work with lots of famous people and may be too expensive. Any other recommendations for London practitioners would be very welcome.

Yes. And good luck, bojo7. Sorry can't help with any refs.