Overcoming a balloon phobia with hypnotherapy

I grew up with an acute phobia of balloons, fireworks, motorbikes etc. loud noises in general that I felt my ears couldn’t cope with. Whilst most faded, the phobia of balloons has become more intense as I have grown up. The unpredictability, the smell, the delicateness; all things I actively loathed about balloons could bring on a panic attack, even someone mentioning the word could make me very uncomfortable.

At 27, my phobia is often laughed at, scoffed at and dismissed as silly, so it was time to try a new tactic with different support. Christmas in particular is a time where I am very aware of my phobia, so I decided to visit my hypnotherapist Ruth.

“The first step with all clients is trying to thoroughly understand their struggles. A positive therapeutic relationship is one of the keys to successful results and is something I quietly work hard to achieve. In this instant, the foundations were already in place. Often people are ashamed and embarrassed about having a phobia. Some go to extreme lengths, avoiding and manipulating situations to ‘manage’ their phobia. When a client comes to me asking for help, it is the first big step in a journey to an easier, more comfortable life.” Ruth Hazeldine, Dip.Hyp, HDP, MNCH

What’s the difference between phobia and fear?

A phobia is often described as an irrational, learned fear that stems beyond being afraid of something. The heightened sense of anxiety can often physically paralyse its victim and no amount of rationalisation can quell the intense feelings of anxiety, fear and often anger. For example, I am slightly scared of spiders but I am able to remove them from my house with relative ease. With my phobia of balloons, the feelings would be so strong that I physically could not enter the room.

What the phobia represents

Symbolism can be key in addressing phobias. It can be that you simply don’t like something that can evolve into a phobia, or there can be a trigger. Identifying my trigger was useful in looking for a ‘why’ in a seemingly irrational situation. In my former self, a balloon bursting was unpredictable and dangerous. If it was too close to my head, my ears would burst and the material would sting my face. It was about protection.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she lived next to a volatile neighbour who used starting pistols and fireworks in his garden on regular occasions. As surmised by my doctor, this could well have been the trigger of my phobia, I was a child picking up on my mother’s stress. Even in the womb, I recognised these noises as a signal of danger or stress. This meant that I grew up feeling the need to protect myself from balloons and their unpredictability.

Once I had identified my trigger and unpacked this with Ruth, we looked at my goal situation. She said, “I help clients to describe their goals. That might sound simple, but many people struggle to see their life without the phobia. They find it hard to verbalise being comfortable in a situation they have learned to fear.”  

My goal was to coexist with a balloon without noticing it. But actually, Ruth helped me realise my goal was to enjoy a balloon.

How can hypnotherapy help a phobia?

A gentle but effective approach to treating phobias, hypnosis encourages you to transcend into a deep state of relaxation whilst experiencing feelings of comfort, happiness and safety. Once in this state, you are more susceptible to suggestion and change, so your therapist may take you through a triggering situation. Anxiety and relaxation can’t exist in the body at the same time and the aim is to experience these triggering situations with feelings of joy and safety, effectively unlearning the anxiety associations.

I practised bringing relaxation to my body in everyday life with self-hypnosis techniques and building up positive, fun experiences with balloons. Over the course of my hypnotherapy, Ruth worked with me to build up a ‘mental toolkit’ to have at my disposal when a phobia attack should arise.

The benefit of having a safe place I could conjure at my fingertips and the feelings associated with this space, ensures that if I keep practising, I will be able to enjoy the presence of a balloon and the joy it brings others.

“Hypnosis helps people face their fears while feeling totally relaxed, mentally rehearse situations whilst experiencing comfort and allow them to visualise the future they want,” Ruth explains.

In my first session, I noticed how pretty the balloon looked floating in the imagined wind. In my third session I mentioned that a balloon is similar to a bubble, they float and they burst beautifully. And after my fifth session, I bought a pack of balloons to play with.

What I managed was to step away from the learned anxiety that had built up over time and perceive a balloon how my niece saw it; as a toy or decoration. A previously completely alien concept.

Perhaps I will always notice a balloon, but I certainly won’t be crossing the road to avoid it or finding myself angry at the injustice of a child torturing me by playing with a balloon near me.

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Agoraphobia at Christmas: how to manage the holidays with an anxiety disorder

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a debilitating and life challenging condition, an anxiety and panic disorder leaving sufferers avoiding certain social situations for fear of panic, embarrassment or lack of escape. Often thought of as a fear of leaving the house, or a fear of open spaces, an individual suffering with this condition may actually struggle with much more complex situations including:

• visiting a shopping centre
• travelling on public transport
• a fear of small spaces (lifts)
• being surrounded by lots of people or crowds
• being too far away from home

Learn about hypnotherapy and anxiety.

Many of these symptoms can be heightened at Christmas, with the festive period involving social gatherings, work parties, busy shopping centres and leaving the house to do the festive family duties. The panic element of agoraphobia can leave an individual with often terrifying symptoms they’re unable to control and left untreated may lead to further mental health issues.

Common symptoms include:

• feeling sick
• feeling overcome with heat
• starting to sweat
• rapid heartbeat
• uncontrollable crying
• the urge to run
• shaking
• dizziness

Hypnotherapy for agoraphobia

In the UK around two in 100 people struggle with a panic disorder, but around a third of these people eventually overcome these symptoms and remain symptom-free for life. With many techniques to overcome agoraphobia, including CBT and medication, hypnotherapy is an effective technique in helping individuals struggling with agoraphobia. Hypnotherapy can unlock a practised state of calm in the mind or ‘relaxation technique’ in times of distress.

Find a hypnotherapist using our search tool and overcome your anxiety.

Your hypnotherapist will work with you on your ‘goal scenario’ (what you want the outcome to be from hypnotherapy treatment for your agoraphobia) using relaxation techniques to access your unconscious. Using the power of suggestion, they’ll work with you to create a sense of calm that can be accessed mindfully when your anxiety triggers. You’ll learn new reactions to certain situations that often trigger your anxiety and ‘unlearn’ reactions that have been holding you back.

National mental health charity Mind share eight tips for help with relaxation.

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Self-care tips over the Christmas period

• Share with a family member

Share you thoughts and worries with a trusted member of your family, someone you feel comfortable with. If an event gets too much, you’ll have someone to support you, spot the signs of your heightened anxiety or what is going to trigger it and comfort you if needed. In sharing your worries, you can also manage your family’s expectations of you over the Christmas period.

• Learn to say ‘no’

Knowing your boundaries is particularly important at Christmas as increased social interaction and ‘forced cheer’ can increase the pressure you put on yourself to portray the perfect Christmas attitude. But if a certain social event is bothering you, or there are simply too many events going on, politely decline the event you don’t wish to attend.

It’s perfectly acceptable not to attend an event, but be mindful that you don’t fall into a vicious circle of not attending anything, feeling guilty or embarrassed for missing out and as such remaining at home for another event. Take small steps to push your boundaries but be aware of the triggers.

• Don’t compare yourself to others

A lot easier said than done, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time if you struggle with comparing yourself to to others. Christmas party dresses, Christmas presents, social gatherings etc. can add to a catalyst of low-self confidence and lack of self-esteem. Be gentle with yourself. If you’re in the presence of other people, you have already taken a big step forward in your recovery and that is worth celebrating.

• Make sure there is ‘you time’

As with any part of life, ‘you time’ is particularly important to rebalance yourself, de-stress and spend some time doing the things you enjoy as just you, as opposed to ‘we’. As the everyday routine of life is often disrupted at Christmas, ensure you have some uninterrupted time and a space where you can retreat to to ensure you reconnect with yourself, your needs and relax in a comfortable space.

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How to quit smoking when surrounded by smokers

As one in five adults in the UK is a regular smoker, it’s likely that if you’re trying to quit smoking, encountering smokers regularly will certainly test your will-power.

Social smoking and drinking go hand in hand in the UK pub culture, and regular cigarette breaks with colleagues have become the norm in the office workplace. But with the startling statistic that nearly 50% of all smokers die prematurely due to smoking-related diseases, there isn’t a better time to extinguish for good, than right now.

Beating an addiction will be difficult, frustrating and require lots of determination. But, with the right support, you can get there. When it feels like the rest of the world is lighting up, read our top tips for achieving your quitting goals.

Set expectations.

Whether that’s with friends, family, colleagues or a partner, make sure you communicate your quitting plans and what you hope to expect from those around you. If your partner smokes, make plans to ensure they smoke outside, cigarettes are kept out of sight and they don’t give you a cigarette (even if you ask for one), etc. Ensure your surround yourself with a supportive network who know you are serious and dedicated to the cause, and can help you along your journey.

Detox your social media.

Unfortunately, in our society, we can’t escape digital adverts that follow us around the web. But you can actively unfollow any accounts or websites on your social channels that have you reaching for the packet of cigarettes. In this case, out of sight out of mind will help combat your internal habit reminder that it’s time for a cigarette.

Plan for nights out.

It’s very common that a night out on the town will ensure slip-ups, so plan ahead. If you know you can’t resist a quick smoke with your beer, take something with you to occupy your mind. It sounds silly, but download a game on your phone so when your friends pop out for a cigarette, lose yourself for five minutes in the game. You’ll quickly realise that distraction is a powerful tool.

Join a group.

Surround yourself with a positive group who are on the same journey as you. They can offer you support and understanding that your friends may not truly be able to give. A quit smoking group is dedicated to one collective goal and will be readily available with tips and tricks to combat your cravings, social pressures and quitting difficulties.

A simple google search for your local hospital and its smoke-free services is the best way to reach fellow quitters and support groups.

Get active.

Ex-smokers have often said that they miss having something to hold or fiddle with. It might be worth investing in a small stress ball or any small toy that you can hold or squeeze when a craving is particularly apparent.

Reassess why you smoke.

If smoking is a treat for you, consider what other treats you allow yourself and what they give you. A stressful day could be eased with a quiet bath or a glass of your favourite wine – which could be savoured rather than hampered with the taste of nicotine.

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Our final note is to get all the help you can! Quitting smoking is life-changing and, at any age, you can do it. Seeking professional help in the form of a hypnotherapist can be an effective treatment for smoking. By breaking negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with smoking, you can see the cigarette in its true form, rather than what it symbolises to you.

Hypnotherapy: Commonly asked questions

Hypnotherapy can sometimes feel like it’s shrouded in mystery. Those who don’t work in the industry or those who haven’t tried it before can feel unsure about the practice, and often have questions.

Here at Hypnotherapy Directory, our aim is to lift the curtain and show the world how powerful hypnotherapy can be. We want to take the mystery away and educate as many people as possible on the ways hypnotherapy can support us.

Below we’ve listed some of the questions we often hear when people want to know more about hypnotherapy. Our hope is to share these answers far and wide and encourage more people to consider hypnotherapy.  

Can hypnotherapists control me when I’m in a hypnotic state?

This is a common misconception. Hypnotherapists aim to put you in a deeply relaxed state and communicate with your unconscious – and while you’ll be more open to suggestion, you won’t do anything you don’t want to do.  

Will I remember what happened during the session?

Many people remain aware of what’s happening in their hypnotherapy session, some feel as if they’ve had a nap and don’t remember the details. This will vary from person to person, but generally, people leave their sessions feeling calm, relaxed and centred.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

Hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of concerns. Where it really shines is when a change in habit is required. We’ve found the following areas of concern to be highly searched for on our site:

Weight loss – For those looking to be more mindful with their diet, hypnotherapy can be a helpful way of encouraging more intuitive eating habits.  

Anxiety – A hypnotherapist can help those with anxiety learn how to access a calmer state of mind more easily and increase relaxation.

Quit smoking – Powerful at changing habits, hypnotherapy can be an excellent method to quit smoking.

Addictions – As with smoking, overcoming other addictions such as alcohol addiction, drug addiction and gambling addiction can be supported with hypnotherapy.

Phobias – Many people find hypnotherapy helpful for tackling phobias, including fear of flying, claustrophobia, arachnophobia and much more.

Insomnia – Not being able to sleep can affect both mental and physical health over time. Many people use hypnotherapy to help overcome sleep disorders like insomnia.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – Hypnotherapy is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for IBS.

Will it work if I’m sceptical?

As we mentioned earlier, a hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything you don’t want to. Having a willingness to change and an open mind is key to the success of hypnotherapy. If you go into the session not really wanting to change or totally against the idea of hypnotherapy, you’re unlikely to get the most from it.

How many sessions will I need?

This will depend on the type of hypnotherapy you’re having and the nature of the problem you’re seeking help with. Some people may only need one session, while others will require longer-term treatment. Your hypnotherapist may also recommend self-hypnosis after your sessions to help you keep up momentum.

What should I look for in a hypnotherapist?

Having a trusting relationship with your hypnotherapist is important, so it helps if you can find out more about the way they work before booking an appointment. Ensuring they are appropriately qualified and insured is also recommended.

How can I find a hypnotherapist?

We have a nationwide network of hypnotherapists here, all of whom are either registered with a professional body or have shown us appropriate qualifications or insurance. If you use our advanced search you can find a list of hypnotherapists in your local area and then read through their profiles to learn more about them before booking a consultation.  

Hypnosis and meditation: What’s the difference?

There can be some confusion about what hypnosis and meditation are, particularly around whether there is any difference between the two disciplines – or whether they are names that can be used interchangeably, for the same thing.

We’ll explore their similarities as well as their differences, to help clear the matter up.

Similarities

Both hypnosis and meditation can induce deeply relaxing states of mind that can help promote calmness of mind and reduce levels of stress. They both require a certain kind of focus of mind, too – often (but not always) purposefully directed. Both can also use specific suggestions and words in order to induce a trance-like state.

Ultimately, asking what the difference is between hypnosis and meditation is a little like asking what the difference is between alcohol and wine. In some ways, meditation can be seen as a very specific, specialised use of a type of hypnotic state – often as part of a wider spiritual system.

Some hypnotic states could be more like meditative states, and some people who meditate will likely experience profoundly hypnotic imagery sometimes.

So, what are the key differences?

As we see, there are a lot of similarities between hypnosis and guided meditation, however, one of the major differences is that hypnosis is usually used to help people detach from destructive emotions and calmly begin to see wider and happier possibilities.

• Promoting positive change

We see this in all of the topics listed in our hypnotherapy areas section. For instance, if you wish to stop smoking, you can utilise the power of positive suggestion within hypnosis to bring about subconscious change to the way you think and feel about the act of smoking. This, in turn, can help to change your behaviour.

In order to do this, it requires the participant to enter a type of hypnotic state of focused attention, allowing the suggestions to enter the subconscious mind. The emphasis is more on how good the hypnotist is at inducing this trance-like state.

Guided meditation, on the other hand, is about using the power of your own imagination to plant the images in your subconscious mind in order to bring about change – with the mere gentle guidance of a narrator.

• Oriented towards goals

Another fundamental difference between the two is that the underlying philosophy of mindfulness aims to dissuade meditators from being goal-focused.

In contrast, self-hypnosis is an overtly goal-oriented process. We use very particular forms of imagery, self-suggestion and cognitive processes in order to create and effect change to overcome challenges and issues and to advance abilities.

• Past, present, future

Hypnosis used therapeutically will often focus on helping someone relax around memories of the past or prepare to feel better and act differently in the future. Meditation, on the other hand, is often an attempt to be absolutely in the present.

However, many people in hypnosis will often report feeling totally focussed “in the now”. So, if you find this to be the case yourself, do not worry.

• Emotional hypnosis

Another important point to remember is that hypnosis isn’t only a ‘state of relaxation’. Emotion is hypnotic – we are often at our most focussed when we experience heightened emotions. For example, anger, which focuses our attention and makes us suggestible.

It’s because our emotions are so hypnotic, that we can be so amenable to hypnotic treatment.

Anyone who can make you more emotional also has the ability to make you more suggestible. In this way, we can see that counsellors and therapists utilise some elements of hypnosis in their own practice. For example, if a counsellor asks you to direct your attention to a recent break-up or the pain of your childhood, they are encouraging disassociation from the here and now (which can be a feature of hypnotic trance).