You’re Not Broken: Hypnotherapy for Overcoming Anxiety

Let’s start with something very simple, yet very true: You are not broken. Anxiety, while uncomfortable and often overwhelming, is not a sign of weakness or failure. It’s your mind doing its best to protect you — but just getting it a bit wrong.

 

 

What is Anxiety?

 

Anxiety is, in essence, the body’s alarm system being stuck in the “on” position. It’s a feeling of fear, unease, or worry, often about something that hasn’t even happened yet. It’s the mind saying, “Watch out!”, even when there’s nothing there to fear.

 

It’s not unusual. In fact, anxiety is one of the most common issues people come to me for in hypnotherapy. The good news? It’s treatable. The even better news? You have more control over it than you think.

 

 

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

 

You might not always know you’re anxious — sometimes it hides behind physical symptoms. Here are some tell-tale signs:

· Racing thoughts or constant overthinking

· Tightness in the chest or shortness of breath

· Trouble sleeping (especially falling asleep or waking up early)

· Feeling restless, on edge, or easily startled

· Digestive issues — that “knot in the stomach” feeling

· Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger stress

· Feeling detached or disconnected from reality (what we call depersonalisation or derealisation)

 

If you’re nodding along to any of these, you’re not alone — and it can get better.

 

 

What Causes Anxiety?

 

There’s no single cause, and often it’s a combination of factors. Through thousands of sessions, I’ve seen patterns emerge:

· Past experiences: Trauma or emotionally difficult events can create a hyper-alert system in the brain.

· Negative thinking loops: Repetitive, self-critical, or catastrophic thoughts feed anxiety like petrol on a fire.

· High expectations: Perfectionism or a deep fear of failure can drive chronic stress.

· Lack of emotional outlet: Bottled-up emotions will always find a way out — and often it’s through anxiety.

· Biological factors: Sometimes, your brain chemistry or genetic makeup plays a role too.

 

One of the biggest culprits? Overthinking.

 

 

How to Stop Overthinking

 

You cannot “think your way out” of overthinking — trust me, I’ve seen enough clients try. The key is to break the loop.

 

 

Here’s a few practical tips:

1. Use the “Name it to Tame it” technique

 

Say to yourself: “This is just a thought. Not a fact.” When you label anxiety as a thought, you create space between you and it.

2. Interrupt the loop

 

Move your body. Change your breathing. Even standing up or shaking out your arms resets your nervous system.

3. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique

 

This simple tool pulls you back into the present:

– 5 things you can see

– 4 you can touch

– 3 you can hear

– 2 you can smell

– 1 you can taste

It reconnects you with now, rather than the “what ifs”.

 

4. Scheduled worry time

Give yourself 15 minutes a day to worry. Write it down. After that, close the notebook and get on with life.

 

 

Treatment for Anxiety

 

This is where hypnotherapy shines. You don’t need years on a therapist’s couch. With hypnotherapy, we go straight to the subconscious — where those old triggers live — and gently reprogram the mind to respond calmly instead of panicking.

 

I’ve helped thousands of clients feel better often within just a few sessions. Here’s what treatment may include:

· Clinical hypnotherapy: Deep relaxation and suggestion therapy to shift thought patterns

· Cognitive behavioural tools: To help reframe negative thoughts into realistic, helpful ones

· Breathing and mindfulness techniques: That you can use anywhere, anytime

· Self-hypnosis: So you’re empowered to manage anxiety on your own terms

 

 

Final Thought

 

Anxiety isn’t who you are — it’s something you experience. And once you learn how to work with your mind instead of against it, you’ll start to find the peace and clarity that’s been there all along.

 

Remember: the goal isn’t to never feel anxious again. The goal is to not fear anxiety anymore