The latest statistics show that half of all people in our culture will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives and up to 20 per cent of the population is mentally ill at any one time. Some groups of people are more likely to be affected by anxiety than others, among them are single parents, LGBTQ+, carers, teens and young adults and those suffering from a long-term physical condition. A fifth of all children are said to be seriously emotionally disturbed. The pressure is building up rapidly.
One major cause of both anxiety and depression, stemming in both cases from loss of control, is the rate at which change is occurring in our world. Our biology has not changed for tens of thousands of years, yet the changes in our environment and how we live our lives that have been made over a very short time have been nothing short of dramatic. For many people alive today, television had not even been invented when they were young. Now we have 24-hour coverage on countless channels, the whole world is computerised, and, increasingly, one is ‘out of it' if lacking email, mobile phone or a presence on a social network site. Unfortunately, our incredible ability to create always leaps ahead of our ability to adapt, and it may feel as if we are forever locked into a cycle of attempting to adjust to unprecedented situations. This can often lead to taking refuge in unhealthy coping strategies like excessive avoidance of trigger situations, increased consumption of drugs and alcohol, smoking, impulsive spending, and over or under-eating.
While it isn't possible to turn the clock, it is certainly possible and desirable to do what we can to ensure, where possible, that we exert some degree of control over our lives. To converse of learned helplessness, feeling positive about our ability to cope with life's adversities can significantly impact our actual ability to cope. While we aren't responsible for, and can't control, everything that happens to us, believing that most things are beyond our control is disadvantageous for our health.
Sometimes very simple procedures can enable us to take or regain control over aspects of our lives like learning an effective relaxation technique and knowing how to put it quickly into practice can take the power out of an overwhelming fear of panic attack. People may feel less able to control, or rely on, events and agencies outside of themselves, but they can control, for example, how much they eat, the exercise they take, what influences they expose themselves to and how effective they become at recognising opportunities.
No human being has ever known what is around the corner and we all live a transient life while pretending that life is constant. Living with uncertainty is complimentary to our need for control. It puts it in perspective. Some things we can control, and are beneficial for us to control. Others we can't. Being prepared for change is a positive attribute, minimising the risk of suffering stress reactions, anxiety, ill health and worse, when inevitable changes happen. Being able to tolerate ambiguity is an important aspect of mental health. Fortunately, the more we discover about the brain, the more we learn about its amazing ability to adapt to even the most difficult circumstances.
To promote health and well-being we must help brain rest. One way to accomplish that is through hypnosis. Hypnosis is a focused awareness and relaxation. The body has a physical reaction to this altered state of consciousness . Sympathetic nervous system activity decreases and metabolism slows down. Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rates fall, and blood flow decreases. These reactions in the body have been found to help reduce high blood pressure, relieve chronic pain and migraine headaches, and sooth depression and anxiety.
I combine a solution focused approach with my experience and instinct as well as techniques that are gentle and supportive of your individuality to bring immediate benefit to your mental & emotional wellbeing. I specialise in reducing anxiety, stress and the physical and emotional symptoms you may be suffering from as a result.