Understanding Anxiety
“Anxiety” can sometimes be a bit of a wastebasket word. People say, “I’m suffering with
anxiety,” or “My anxiety won’t let me do that,” as though it’s a single, fixed condition. But
what does it really mean?
At its core, anxiety is a natural emotional and physical response — a mix of fear, worry, or
dread — usually triggered by a perceived threat, challenge, or pressure. We all know the
feeling in one form or another, but for many people it manifests in very different ways.
Physical symptoms might include: a racing heart, sweating or trembling, bowel urgency,
shallow or panicked breathing.
Internal symptoms can be just as overwhelming: intrusive or negative thinking,
catastrophising, avoidance of situations, paralysing fear.
When someone tells me they “suffer with anxiety,” I understand how heavy that burden can
feel. It can restrict your life in countless ways, stealing joy from even the simplest activities.
But here’s the good news: anxiety is not fixed. Because it is largely created and reinforced
by the subconscious mind, it can also be shifted there. And this is exactly where
hypnotherapy can be so effective.
How Hypnotherapy Helps with Anxiety
Hypnotherapy is not about “losing control” or being put under someone else’s spell — that’s
a myth. Instead, it’s a process of deep relaxation and focused attention, where the mind
becomes more open to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking.
When someone experiences anxiety, their subconscious has often built a habit of
overreacting to perceived danger. Hypnotherapy gently interrupts this cycle by calming the
body, reframing thought patterns, building coping skills, and accessing root causes.
Many clients also learn self-hypnosis techniques they can use outside of sessions — a
valuable tool to manage stress and regain a sense of control in daily life.
Research has shown hypnotherapy can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms, particularly
when combined with other approaches such as CBT or mindfulness. It’s a gentle, non-
invasive option that many people find both effective and empowering.
Finding Calm and Confidence Again
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, as though it controls every thought, feeling, and decision.
But it’s important to remember that anxiety is not who you are — it’s simply a mental and
physical pattern your subconscious has learned. And what has been learned can also be
unlearned.
Hypnotherapy offers a gentle, effective way to retrain the mind. By quieting the body’s stress
response, reframing unhelpful thought patterns, and strengthening inner confidence, it helps
people rediscover a sense of calm.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, know that you don’t have to stay stuck. With the right
support, your mind has an incredible ability to heal, adapt, and grow. Hypnotherapy is one
path that can help you reconnect with that inner resilience — and step forward with greater
ease and confidence.