Anxiety and Stress Related issues
Anxiety and stress are natural and often appropriate responses to many situations we encounter in life, such as taking an exam, attending a job interview, or even riding a roller coaster. In short bursts, these feelings can help us stay alert and focused. However, when anxiety or stress becomes intense or prolonged, it can begin to spiral out of control and significantly affect our well-being. Left unmanaged, it may contribute to a range of issues including phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. It’s a natural and necessary part of being human, an evolutionary response designed to keep us safe in the face of danger or pressure.
At mild levels, anxiety can feel like anticipation or excitement, such as before a big exam or sporting event. In these moments, our bodies are simply preparing us to face a challenge.
However, when we perceive a situation as more threatening, the response can become more intense. This is when the body’s primitive "fight or flight" mechanism kicks in, leading to symptoms like panic, racing thoughts, or overwhelming fear. This response served our ancient ancestors well when confronted by wild animals or rival tribes, but it’s less helpful when triggered by modern-day stressors like emails, deadlines, or financial worries.
The challenge today is that our brains are still hard-wired to react to all perceived threats in the same way, whether it’s a wild animal or a credit card bill. The result? Persistent anxiety that can contribute to issues like depression, phobias, PTSD, and social anxiety.
How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy works by helping you calm the fight/flight response and re-engage the rational, solution-focused part of your brain. It teaches you how to reduce anxiety levels through relaxation, positive thinking, and practical techniques.
By shifting focus away from past problems and instead building a more positive outlook on the present and future, you’ll be better equipped to manage life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
- T.S Elliot.
Depression
In its mildest form, depression can present as a low mood, something we all experience from time to time, particularly during periods of stress or anxiety. However, when these feelings persist over an extended period, they can begin to impact daily life in a significant way. At its more severe end, depression can become truly debilitating. It may affect your ability to carry out everyday tasks, such as going to work or maintaining social connections. You might feel emotionally and physically drained, as if your entire system is shutting down, and isolating yourself from the outside world can feel like the only option.
“There are times when explanations, no matter how reasonable, don’t seem to help.”
- Fred Rogers.
What Is Depression?
Depression affects over 320 million people worldwide, and around 1 in 10 of us will experience it at some point in our lives. While it’s completely normal to feel low from time to time, clinical depression is much more than temporary sadness , it can be deeply debilitating, often leaving people feeling unable to cope with everyday life.
Depression is often triggered by prolonged stress, trauma, or difficult life circumstances. It can manifest in many ways, including persistent feelings of hopelessness, disinterest in previously enjoyable activities, low energy, poor concentration, and a loss of self-esteem. Social interaction may begin to feel overwhelming, leading to withdrawal and isolation.
From an evolutionary perspective, depression may be the brain’s way of trying to protect you, by encouraging rest, withdrawal, and caution in response to perceived threat or emotional overload. In more severe cases, this can feel like a form of mental and emotional ‘hibernation’ as the mind waits for the danger to pass.
How Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Can Help
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy helps lift depression by addressing the underlying stress and anxiety that often drive and sustain it. Rather than dwelling on past problems, this approach focuses on small, achievable steps to move forward, building a more positive mindset, improving sleep, restoring motivation, and helping you regain a sense of control and hope.
With the right support, it is possible to feel better, and hypnotherapy can be a powerful and empowering tool in that process.