Treatment of phobias with hypnosis
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**Treatment of all types of phobias with hypnosis** is one of the most effective scientific approaches to deal with severe and irrational fears. A phobia is a kind of institutionalized fear in the subconscious that can disrupt a person's daily life. By accessing the unconscious mind, hypnotherapy rewrites mental and emotional responses and helps a person feel relaxed and in control in previously frightening situations (American Psychological Association, 2022). What is a phobia? The word Phobia is derived from the Greek root Phobos meaning "fear". A phobia is a persistent, irrational, and uncontrollable fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that causes extreme avoidance and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2017). Unlike general anxiety, in a phobia, a specific stimulus activates the sympathetic nervous system—that is, the part of the nervous system that is activated in danger or "fight-or-flight" mode. As a result, the body experiences symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath and a sense of incontinence (Öst, 2010). **Read more: ** Article on hypnosis in the treatment of sleep disorders
Types of phobias
Research shows that phobias are divided into several main categories (Marks, 2012):
1. Specific phobia: fear of animals, heights, injections, elevators, darkness
2. Social Phobia: Fear of judging others, public speaking, socializing
3. Agoraphobia: Fear of crowded places, subway, market, open spaces
4. Situational or natural phobias: fear of storms, water, flying or closed spaces
In all of these types, fear is rooted in unconscious memory or mental conditioning; It means that the mind considered an experience dangerous in the past and stored it in the subconscious mind. Why is hypnosis effective for treating phobias? Hypnosis is a state between sleep and wakefulness in which a person's focus on himself increases and the subconscious mind becomes more receptive (Hammond, 2010). In this situation, the therapist rewrites the fear patterns with verbal suggestions or mental imagery. **Read more: ** Article **What is hypnotherapy and how does it work?**
The three main reasons for the effectiveness of treating all types of phobias with hypnosis
1. Direct access to the unconscious: where fear memories are stored. 2. Reducing the resistance of the conscious mind: In a hypnotic state, a person listens to treatment suggestions without judgment. 3. Reconstruction of the mental image: by replacing the image of fear with a calm and controlled experience. Several studies have confirmed that hypnotherapy is effective in treating phobias, anxiety and panic attacks (Barabasz & Perez, 2007; Bryant et al., 2019). Scientific evidence about hypnotherapy and phobias
1. In a systematic review in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, it was shown that hypnotherapy was effective in reducing phobia symptoms in 72% of patients (Hammond, 2010). 2. Harvard University researchers found that hypnosis changes the activity of the prefrontal cortex—an area involved in controlling emotions (Hoeft et al., 2012). 3. Combining CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) with hypnotherapy in patients with social phobia has had a double effect compared to CBT alone (Bryant et al., 2019). 4. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis showed that hypnotherapy for flying phobia, in just four sessions, led to reduced anxiety and avoidance of flying (Hammond, 2010). **Read more:** Weight loss with hypnosis article
The stages of treating all types of phobias with hypnosis
Reducing and treating unconscious fears with hypnosis is usually done in several steps:
1. Initial assessment: Discuss the type of phobia, family history, and specific triggers. 2. Mental preparation and body relaxation: by deep breathing, concentration and induction of relaxation. 3. Entering the hypnotic state: the therapist uses verbal inductions or eye focus. 4. Discovering the root of the unconscious: returning the mind to the moment in the past when the fear was formed. 5. Reprogramming: replacing the fearful memory with a safe and controlled experience. 6. Strengthen self-confidence and calmness: by repeating positive suggestions and mental imagery. 7. Getting out of hypnosis and stabilizing the changes. In many cases, 3 to 8 sessions are enough to significantly reduce phobic reactions (Barabasz & Perez, 2007). **Read more: ** Article **Hypnoanalysis is an advanced technique for identifying unconscious problems**
Examples of phobia treatment with hypnosis
1. Flight phobia: the patient in a hypnotic state imagines himself in a peaceful flight; The sound of engines is replaced by a sense of security. 2. Fear of heights: gradual visualization of standing on lower to higher floors, with calm breathing and a sense of control. 3. Social anxiety: strengthening the feeling of self-confidence, reducing the sensitivity to the gaze of others, and mentally practicing the speech. 4. Fear of animals or injections: Changing the mental image from threatening to neutral, along with relaxation techniques. Benefits of hypnotherapy in the treatment of phobias
1. Faster effectiveness than traditional treatments: it is usually effective in a few sessions. 2. Non-invasive and natural treatment: without drugs and side effects. 3. Access to the unconscious layers of the mind: to correct conditioned patterns. 4. Ability to combine with other methods: such as CBT, Mindfulness or gradual exposure. **Read more:** article **The role of hypnosis in the treatment of psychological injuries and psychological crises**
Combining hypnosis with other therapies
The best results in the treatment of phobias with hypnosis are obtained when hypnotherapy is combined with complementary approaches:
1. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy): reconstruction of distorted thoughts. 2. Exposure Therapy: Step-by-step practice in the real world. 3. Mindfulness-based therapy: training to be present in the moment and observe without judgment. 4. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques: to regulate the autonomic nervous system (Porges, 2011). Frequently asked questions about the treatment of phobias with hypnosis
1\. Are all people hypnotizable? Most people are hypnotizable to some degree; Acceptance depends on focus and trust. 2. How many sessions are needed to treat phobia? On average, between 4 and 8 sessions. In severe phobias, up to 12 sessions may be continued. 3. Is hypnotherapy an alternative to drug therapy? no In some cases, it is an adjunct to drug therapy, especially for severe anxiety. 4. Is it possible to return the phobia? If you practice continuously and follow up after the sessions, the probability of returning is very low. A few last words
Treating phobias with hypnosis is a scientific and effective method that uses the power of the unconscious mind to change behavioral patterns and anxiety reactions. With the help of hypnosis, a person can identify their intense and irrational fears and learn to control their anxiety responses. This process not only reduces the symptoms of phobia, but also allows for the creation of new mental patterns, more relaxation and improvement of the quality of life. Hypnotherapy, as a non-invasive and drug-free method, helps people gradually overcome their fears and mental limitations and rebuild their self-confidence and personal abilities. Finally, the use of hypnosis provides an effective path for the root treatment of phobias and achieving lasting peace of mind and soul. #### Experience of hypnotherapy
In Mohsen Derakhshan Nesab Psychology Clinic, phobia treatment is done with hypnosis in a specialized and scientific manner. Sessions are designed based on the methods of clinical hypnosis, analytical psychotherapy and creative visualization so that a person can regain control of his mind and body. If you or a loved one suffers from severe phobias, anxiety or fear, hypnotherapy can be the starting point for change. For consultation and information about treatment sessions, you can contact the office. ### Resources
American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Washington, DC: APA
American Psychological Association. (2022). Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: Overview
Barabasz, A., & Perez, N. (2007). Hypnotherapy in the treatment of anxiety and phobias. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 49 (4), 217–230
Bryant, R. A., Moulds, M. L., Guthrie, R. M., & Nixon, R. D. (2019). Hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87 (2), 178–190
Hammond, D. C. (2010). Review of the efficacy of clinical hypnosis with anxiety and phobias. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 58 (3), 251–270
Hoeft, F., et al. (2012). Functional brain basis of hypnotizability. Archives of General Psychiatry, 69 (10), 1064–1072
Marks, I. M. (2012). Fears, phobias, and rituals: Panic, anxiety, and their disorders. Oxford University Press
Öst, L. G. (2010). One-session treatment of specific phobias: A review. Scandinavian Journal of Behavior Therapy, 39 (1), 1–11
Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company
**Author:** Mohsen Derakhshan Nesab - clinical psychologist, researcher, hypnotherapist, author and psychotherapist. **If you have any doubts or questions about the article "** **Treatment of types of phobias with hypnotism** **", please raise your doubts or questions at the end of this page (comment section). They will respond to you as soon as possible.**
