Well,the hypnotherapy didn't seem to work-what do I do now?

[FuriousGeorge]

I have just completed 8 sessions of hypnotherapy,in the hopes of ridding myself of a phobia.I went to a very reputable,highly qualified practitioner,and was confident that it would help.

I did all the exercises set,and worked extremely hard,as I desperately wanted to be free of my phobia.My last session was last week & I completed the work set the day after my last session & has it made any difference? No.I'm exactly where I was 2 months ago,only poorer in the pocket.I actually feel worse now,than before I started,because at least then,I had the hope that the therapy would work & that I could live my life properly instead of being a ball of anxiety.

I just don't know what to do now,I feel angry and sad,that despite my very best efforts,things haven't improved.I don't really want to try more hypnotherapy,as it would be throwing good money after bad, & I really can't afford it.

I just don't know what to do now.

what's the phobia? have you tried CBT?

Hi foxinsocks.It's a weird phobia,I get all panicky if I hear barking dogs.I'm ok out and about,at work ect,but if I'm at home or in the garden & I hear a dog barking,I get a tight chest,feel tearful,panicky ect.It stems from when we lived at our old house & the next door but one neighbours had 2 dogs which barked all day & til 10pm at night.We moved & unwittingly bought a house opposite a field where there was a dog agility club.Guess what-lots of barking excited dogs.The club moved shortly after we moved in {thank goodness},but neighbours have a dog that is kept outside all the time & that is quite noisy.After all that,I just can't stand to hear barking-it's like nails down a blackboard to me.

I've just spoken to my hypnotherapist & he says he's surprised it hasn't worked & that the problem may be that because I'm in a situation where I have to face my phobia numerous times daily,I'm in a vicious circle,where I'm in such a state of anxiety,that I can't get on top of it.He did teach me stress relief techniques,but they don't work either.

I haven't tried CBT,but am willing to try anything to beat this.Have you had any experience of it?

no but have friends who have done who have said it has helped with phobias/anxiety...I think you can get referred for it via your GP.

I'm sorry FuriousGeorge but I have to admit I lolol at the dog agility club...just your bloody luck eh? I can understand how something like this might get to you actually. Have you done the slow breathing thing? Regular exercise, all that malarky?

I can understand your amusement.Even I could see the funny side.When we viewed the house I did see all the little jumps ect in the field,but it didn't register.I guess that I just thought that someone owned a really small pony........

I've tried the deep breathing,relaxation cd's,NLP,all to no avail.I might see if I can get in to see my G.P & get referred.It can't do any harm.

It is a bizarre phobia.I grew up with dogs & when I first left home,lived next to & opposite 6 dogs who hated each other & would go mad barking at every oppurtunity.They never bothered me at all.I am just weird,really.
Thanks for the advice & making me smile!

nah, it's irrational that's all! The brain is a fucking weird thing. Gets all programmed in its annoying irrational ways and then it's hard to go back and deprogramme it. I think this is where the CBT comes in.

lolol at small pony

good luck with the referral. I think you're brave for wanting to face it and get rid of it. That's got to be a start hasn't it!

Thankyou foxinsocks,I saw a nurse at my practice today & have been referred for CBT.I should be seen in about a month.Thanks for pointing me in the right direction & making me laugh.I spent the evening sniggering to myself about the really really small pony.

FG - sorry to hear of your troubles. I have a phobia about motorways. Not going on them but driving on them It is utterly frustrating as all my family live a MW drive away and so do three of my best friends who all have migrated to the coast. It makes me complelely anxious just thinking about it and angry at myself that I ahve let it take over. Don't be hard on yourself. You wuill find a way out - when you find something that works let me know!!!!