Tim Maude Hypnotherapy

Tag: hypnotherapy

  • How is Hypnotherapy Different from CBT?

    How is Hypnotherapy Different from CBT?

    If your doctor diagnoses you with some form of anxiety or depression, they will be likely either to prescribe medication or CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. So how does hypnotherapy differ from CBT and why would you choose one or the other?

    Comparison of CBT and Hypnotherapy

    The following table summarises the key similarities and differences. There are different styles of hypnotherapy – I am comparing CBT with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which is what I practice.

    Cognitive Behavioural TherapyHypnotherapy (solution focused)
    Conditions treatedWide range of conditions involving unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviours.Wide range of conditions involving unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviours.
    What to expect in a sessionAnalysis of problem and causes
    Practical exercises concerning the issues    		Discussion life without problems
    Hypnosis
    Focus of approachProblem analysis
    Analytical approach    		Solution focused
    Subconscious-led
    Availability on NHSWithin 18 weeks according to NHS (but BMA say it can be more than a year to get treatment)Not available on NHS
    CostFree through NHS for limited number of sessions
    Costs for private practice vary    		Costs for private practice vary
    Scientific basisScientific studies have demonstrated effectivenessScientific studies have demonstrated effectiveness
    Comparison of CBT and Hypnotherapy

    Which is Better – Hypnotherapy or CBT?

    There are plenty of studies that compare the effectiveness of CBT versus Hypnotherapy. Generally speaking, these show that they are comparable in effectiveness. For example, a scientific study (reported in the Journal of Effective Disorders, 2021) compared Hypnotherapy with CBT, and concluded that hypnotherapy was not inferior to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) after six months of treatment.

    How to Choose

    In my experience, some people prefer the more analytical, problem-focused style of CBT, whereas others prefer the more subconscious-led, solution-focused style of solution-focused hypnotherapy.

    In my clinic, I either see people who have gone straight for the hypnotherapy, or I see people who have gone through the NHS route of CBT and found that it has not worked for them, and so are looking for something else. Note, that I do not see any of the people who have tried CBT and found it worked for them, so I cannot comment on how many of these there are.

    If you genuinely have no immediate preference, and you are able to go through the process of getting a referral from your doctor and waiting until your name comes up on the waiting list, then it will be cheaper for you to try CBT on the NHS first. If you cannot wait that long – and want immediate access to a therapist, then you need to find a private practitioner – either hypnotherapist or CBT.

    Finding a Private Practitioner

    The easiest way to find a private practitioner is to go onto Google and type in “Hypnotherapist near me” or “CBT near me”. Look for one with plenty of good reviews.

    Alternatively, if you want a hypnotherapist, you can contact me directly. I work in my clinic in Fleet, Hampshire, as well as working online.

    References

    Efficacy of hypnotherapy compared to cognitive behavioural therapy
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032721002032

    British Medical Association – The devastating cost of treatment delays
    https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/the-devastating-cost-of-treatment-delays

    Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

  • What is a “Normal” Level of Anxiety?

    What is a “Normal” Level of Anxiety?

    Everyone has anxiety sometimes. Reacting to things that are dangerous or potentially dangerous is an important function of the brain. Anxiety is what kept our ancestors alive in the days when the world was more dangerous than it is today. Why? Because anxiety makes you focus on the potential danger and helps you escape.

    Everyone has anxiety sometimes. Step out into the road without looking properly and you might notice a car approaching you at speed. In an instant your whole body is filled with adrenaline and you jump out of the way. You feel a shock of anxiety run through you and a relief as the car rushes past you, leaving you unharmed. This is anxiety doing its job.

    For a wildebeest crossing the Serengeti, anxiety is three minutes of absolute terror as it is being chased by a lion – resulting in either escape or death. For a human being, anxiety can be years and years of worrying that there might not be enough money to pay the rent this month. Both focus on the potential danger, but because of the human being’s ability to imagine the future, anxiety can last for years.

    So what is a “normal” level of anxiety? Of course, there is no “normal”. Everyone is different. For some people, a level of anxiety starts when they wake up each morning and carries on throughout the day. These people have accepted constant anxiety as the norm and do not realise that they can do something about it. Others live a life of calm, only suffering bouts of anxiety when they step out into the road without looking.

    Wherever you are on this spectrum of anxiety – you can do something about it to change. You can move yourself to a calmer, less-anxious life. The next question is – is it worth it? If you are content with your life as it is, then don’t change a thing, but if you even have the smallest dislike about the way you are, then I would recommend you do something about it.

    There are lots of things you can do to improve your mental health (e.g. read this blog article – https://timmaudehypnotherapy.co.uk/2024/03/12/how-to-stay-mentally-fit-the-mental-health-hygiene-triangle/).

    I would wish you all good luck on your journey through life – and luck has a part to play, but you might want to rely on your own efforts to help you on towards a better life.

    And Finally …

    If you struggle to manage your levels of anxiety on your own, you can always get help. I support people with anxiety, helping them get back in control of their lives. I use the power of hypnotherapy from my clinic here in Fleet, Hampshire, or online. Contact me if you are interested.

    Photo courtesy of Mental Health Foundation / Kerry Adams

  • Hypnotherapy: The Power Behind the World Champion

    Hypnotherapy: The Power Behind the World Champion

    The fact that Kyren Wilson won the World Snooker Championship yesterday will be of little interest to many of you … indeed, you may be wondering why I mention it in a blog all about hypnotherapy, stress and anxiety! Well … read on and you’ll find out.

    You see, most snooker players suffer from a huge amount of stress when playing a tournament – and this is doubly-so, or maybe more, for the world championship. The championship goes on over a 2 week period, during which players have to play a calm and focused game. One mistake can give their opponent a significant advantage – so the pressure is immense.

    Players at the World Championship often tell of how little sleep they get during the tournament. When all that pressure is on, when the stress is so high, sleep eludes them. And so they start the next day, not only under intense stress, but also sleep-deprived.

    So how did Kyren Wilson, now the World Champion, cope … quite simple … he employed a hypnotherapist. He has been quite open and candid about it. In one interview he said that, with the help of his hypnotherapist, he sleeps solidly each night throughout the tournament. Of course, the sleep not only rests his body, but also allows his brain to process all the stress he is under.

    As Wilson said, “It’s just about emptying your stress bucket, if that makes sense. We all have things going on that can affect our day-to-day working lives. It’s allowed me to go out there and be a bit freer.”

    And that is what hypnotherapy can do for you – it can make your freer. Of course, we can’t all be world champions at what we do, but we can get all that stress under control and become free to lead our lives as we want. Once we are back in control of our lives, those intervals of anxiety and depression fade away as well. The vicious circle of anxiety feeding anxiety is broken and we can get on with our lives in peace.

    And Finally …

    If you want help getting your life back together (or if you want help winning the world snooker championship for that matter) hypnotherapy could well be the answer. I work with clients in my clinic here in Fleet, Hampshire, and also with clients online. Contact me and I will be happy to have a chat for a few minutes to answer any questions.

    References

    Kyren Wilson reveals hypnotherapy force behind World Championship final run

    https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/04/kyren-wilson-reveals-hypnotherapy-force-behind-world-championship-final-run-20775794/amp

    Photo by Dan Burton on Unsplash

  • Anxiety Control: Letting Nature Lend a Hand

    Anxiety Control: Letting Nature Lend a Hand

    The natural world has an ability to sooth the anxious mind. Simply being in “nature” helps sooth away the stresses of the day, leaving us less anxious and more in control of our lives. Going for a walk in the natural world has an even greater effect.

    The Science Behind Anxiety and Nature

    Many people experience the soothing effect of walking through the countryside, in a forest or along the beach. And guess what … there is some real science behind it. There have been numerous experiments that now support this.

    Trials have shown that, after doing a task that increases stress, recovery occurs more quickly in a room with views of trees through the windows, as compared with a windowless room. Another test showed that stress recovery was better if a person goes for a walk in a natural environment, as compared to going for the same length of walk in an urban environment.

    There is a growing amount of scientific evidence that supports the idea that being in a natural environment is good for both your physical health and mental well-being. A few references to scientific papers are provided at the end of this article.

    Why Does Being in Nature Helps Mental Health and, In Particular, Anxiety?

    Think about the history of humankind. For thousands of years, men and women have lived together on this Earth. Most of that time, we have lived close to nature. Our brains are more attuned to living in a natural environment than they are to living in a city. It is only comparatively recently that so many people live in an urban environment.

    That is not to say that cities are in any way a bad thing. On the contrary, they are a fundamental part of civilisation. However, we need to be aware that getting out into nature can be one factor that helps stem our stresses and anxiety.

    Putting it into Practice

    I am lucky enough to live within a short walk of woodland with plenty of scope for getting out for a walk on a regular basis. Not everyone is so lucky. You need to ask yourself, what is the closest to a natural environment that I can get to? It might be a beach or a local park – even in a city like London, there are many small green spaces set aside for people to wander through.

    One of the studies I have looked at suggests that you should aim to spend 120 minutes a week in nature. This may not be practical for everyone – so just do what you can.

    And Finally …

    I often write about things that you can do yourself to help your anxiety. However, if you need help, then I am very happy to talk to you about the possibilities that hypnotherapy can give you. Contact me when you are ready to take things forward. I work in my clinic here in Fleet, Hampshire, and I also work online.

    References

    Spending at least 120  minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3

    Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494402001093

    Restorative Effects of Natural Environment Experiences
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0013916591231001

    Photo courtesy of Mental Health Image Library

  • Nomophobia and SMA: 21st Century Mental Health Issues

    Nomophobia and SMA: 21st Century Mental Health Issues

    Do you suffer from Nomophobia or SMA? If so, you are a victim of the technological rise of the 21st century. But first, I need to explain what these terms are:

    • Nomophobia is a fear of being without your mobile phone and anxiety when you are without it.
    • SMA is Social Media Addiction – a compulsion to use social media.

    Technology companies are keen for all of us to be using our mobile devices, especially to connect to social media, as much as possible. These platforms are designed to make us want to keep going back and using them again and again.

    Don’t get me wrong – I am all in favour of the use of technology to make the world an easier and more pleasant place to be in. But it is so easy to become attached and addicted to it all.

    Just imagine that, for a day, your phone battery is dead and for some reason you are unable to charge it until tomorrow. How would you feel? Would you be anxious, worried, feel a sense of agitation and disorientation? Does the thought of being without your phone for 24 hours fill you with fear? This is nomophobia – fear of being without your phone because of the anxiety it induces when your phone is not there.

    Do you feel compelled to check your social media channels all the time? How long could you go – comfortably – without checking your social media? Are you looking to see how many likes or shares you have got? Do you feel a compulsion to check up to see what your friends are doing? This is SMA – social media addiction.

    These conditions simply did not exist before the rise of the mobile phone and social media. These are modern day conditions. Over half the world’s population owns a smartphone and over half the world’s population uses social media. Many are able to do without it, but it is those who become addicted that have a problem.

    Mental health issues arise when users become start believing the abusive remarks made to them and others, when they get addicted to graphic pornography or other material, when they are so compelled to online that the rest of their lives suffer. This is a series mental health issue that continues to grow in the 21st century.

    And Finally …

    If you have issues that you need help with, nomophobia, SMA or other forms of anxiety and addiction, you might like to consider hypnotherapy. I run my hypnotherapy clinic in Fleet, Hampshire and (ironically!) also online. Contact me if you would like a chat about how hypnotherapy could help you.

    Photo courtesy of fauxels on Pexels

  • What is a normal level of stress and anxiety?

    What is a normal level of stress and anxiety?

    I have been seeing a client for a number of weeks seeing small changes in her levels of anxiety, but nothing major … until last week. It happens so often. I see small improvements and then all of a sudden there is a step change.

    And the interesting thing was that she said to me, “I feel so calm now. I have realised that I have been through the whole of my life being stressed and anxious all the time. I didn’t realise that this was not normal.”

    Is it normal to be stressed and anxious all the time? Of course not, but it is so easy to get used to it and accept it as normal. Our brains can get used to the constant levels of adrenaline and cortisol in our bodies.

    Of course, a certain level of stress is important, because it helps us get through busy times. It helps us achieve more in a short period of time. And anxiety is important when we are in danger. It gets us to focus on the danger so that we can avoid it.

    Our bodies were never designed to be under constant stress and anxiety, as this raises blood pressure and heart rate, as well as making many of our organs work less effectively.

    You may like to consider – what is a normal level of stress and anxiety for you? Has it always been like this? Are you content with the level it is at now or would you like to change it? Some people are quite happy with higher levels of stress and anxiety – they may even enjoy it. However, if you are among those that do not, you may want to consider what you might do to change.

    If you have problems getting your anxiety under control on your own, you might want to consider therapy. I help people with anxiety get their lives back under control and return to a state of normality. I use the power of hypnotherapy from my clinic here in Fleet, Hampshire. I also work online. Contact me if you would like a chat.

    Photo courtesy of Mental Health Foundation / Adam Jaye