Hypnotherapy for anxiety

[Tinker]

Hi

My daughter needs to have a small operation to remove a cyst from her eyebrow - tiny. However, I am ridiculously anxious about the general anaesthetic. I cancelled her operation earlier this year, whilst we were in the ward waiting to go to surgery, because I was so frightened about it. I've just spent this morning with her consultant crying about it. He tells me it is essential she has it, believe he was emphasising this point to take the decision out of my hands, make it easier for me.

I now realise that we're going to have to go through with this but I just can't seem to get a grip on my fears. So, am thinking that I should try hypnotherapy in order to help myself calm down. I'm really conscious that I'm transferring my fear to my daughter which I don't want to do.

So - does it work? Does it work for everyone? What if I'm not suggestible? How do I go about finding someone reputable? Is it costly? Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks

Tinker, my mum had an overwhelming fear of (among millions of other things) general anasthetic - the upshot is that my sister won't have a badly needed wisdom tooth operation as she absolutely refuses to have a general. I also felt terrified when I had to have one earlier this year.

Anyway, I think you are a very good mum for trying not to pass your fear onto your daughter.

I have used hypnotherapy tapes in the past for anxiety, they were really good, a bit weird at first but they did help.

Also it can really help to 'challenge' your thoughts - when you start to angst about it, stop yourself, question what you are actually thinking, think 'What is the worst that could happen?' (She could die, I expect would be your answer) then think 'Is this a rational fear' - answer, no, the likelihood of her dying under a short general is completely minimal. It is important to keep challenging your thoughts whenever you have them, it can really help.

There is a very good book available called Overcoming Anxiety (using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) - it is available on Amazon.

When is she due for the op?

Enid and SueW - thanks for your messages. I know what you mean, Enid, about thinking of the worst scenario and then realising that the likelihood of it happening is statisticaly nil but...I just imagine that's excatly what the parents of al those statistical tragedies must have doen as well. Atm, I can put off thinking about it until get a date for the op - expect it to be less than 12 months - but I really do have trouble coping with it. Strangely, I wouldn't be at all bothered if it were me, well not as much. I told the consultant that I could probably cope better if I didn't think it was optional surgery. That is when he told me it is essential - good tactic.

Would be really interested to hear from anyone else who has felt this way and how they have managed. Thanks

Tinker, My ds had to have a pea-sized skin tag removed from his face when he was 18 months and it had to be under general. I was terrified, esp as it was an elective thing and I could have chosen not to do it. I have had at least 5 GA's myself and all has always been fine, so I kept telling myself that. I tried v hard to not get panicked about it, and in the end the drs and nurses were so good at the hosp, it was okay. Not easy peasy, but okay. Basically, it was a day case and ds was put on the children's ward just for the day and assigned his "own" nurse, then the anaesthetist (sp??) came up and told me the whole process, then the plastci surgeon who I had already met came up and went through it al again, encouraged me to ask questions etc. I was able to go with ds while he was going under (you don't have to, btw) and that was the only rough bit as he was so little and didn't really understand what was going on. Also, he went "under" with his eyes half open which made me cry, but everyone there could not have been nicer. I think the NHS is a much better place for kids than it is for adults! Anyway, I was in the recovery room when he came round, he was absolutely fine and eating within a couple of hours, plus my MIL turned up to give a bit of support and that took my mind off things a bit. As I said, it is hard and you do worry, but my sister is a paediatric nurse and explained to me how safe these things are now and that helped. Since then, a friend has had her ds in for an eye correction and was up the wall with worry, but she too said in the end all the help and explanations made it okay. HTH a bit.

wilbur and SueW - thanks again for your messages. Hope everything went well for you and your daughter today Sue. I do realise that many parents have to go through this so many times which must be terrifying. Will have to grow up a bit and, as the consultant said, stop being selfish. But I know thet nearer the time I will start to feel very scared again.

Thanks again

I've had hypnotherapy, but not for anything as potentially serious as this. I'm confident that it helps, by giving you some coping strategies to combat your fear with. We humans are pretty suggestible - just think how your fear got there in the first place! Hypno is costly though. £30 per hour is the cheapest I've come across.
Best wishes.

So glad to hear all went well Sue - knew it would really, rationally

And Droile, thansk for the info as well.

Tinker, I missed this earlier, sorry you're so worried. Maybe this is a stupid idea but could someone else take her? Or come with you? Would it help if you had to kind of act OK for someone else too? Your reaction may not be rational but I'm sure most of us would be irrational to an extent in the same position.