If you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety, you’re not alone. Did you know that 1 in 5 students suffer from a mental health issue, with 8% reporting that they always feel anxious? Whether this is worry about university exams or new social settings, many students are turning to hypnotherapy for anxiety — here are a few ways it can help you.
Why are so many students suffering from anxiety?
Young people today suffer from anxiety more than ever before. The existing causes for this anxiety — social media pressures, or a fear of failure — have been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: many young people found themselves studying from home, unable to see their friends or families, and struggling to cope with the pressures of lockdown. Research published by the BMJ found that probable mental health conditions increased by 5.2% between 2017 and the early stages of the UK’s lockdown in July 2020.
Another study, conducted by the charity Young Minds, surveyed over 2,000 young people with mental health needs. They found that 80% of them agreed that the pandemic had made their mental health worse — causing increased feelings of anxiety, isolation, a loss of coping mechanisms, and a lack of motivation.
If these feelings sound familiar, you’re not alone. This is where hypnotherapy for anxiety can make a positive change: it will teach you techniques to manage your anxiety and equip you with the support you need to move forward in your studies, your relationships, and your life.
How can hypnotherapy for anxiety help?
Feeling anxious can be overwhelming and frightening — but there are many ways your therapist can help and support you. Among the many options available for managing your mental health — from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to counselling — many charities and organisations, like Anxiety UK, are beginning to recommend hypnotherapy for anxiety treatment.
You’ve likely seen hypnotherapy depicted as magical trickery in film and TV — but the reality is very different (and less intimidating)! Hypnotherapy can in fact be an effective way to manage the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Whether you’re anxious about meeting friends after social distancing restrictions have lifted, or you’re dreading your upcoming university exams, hypnotherapy can be an effective way of breaking negative thought patterns and soothing your feelings of anxiety.
What will happen during a hypnotherapy for anxiety session?
Many students can be nervous before a hypnotherapy session — but don’t worry, your therapist is there to put you at ease!
During a hypnotherapy for anxiety session, your therapist will guide you into a state of deep relaxation. They will then walk you through hypothetical scenarios tailored to your anxiety using a range of visualisation techniques.
If you’re worried about an upcoming exam, for example, your therapist might ask: what would the world look like if you didn’t pass? Could you do some more studying between now and the exam date? Could you re-sit it? Your therapist will help you to visualise sitting the exam with self-belief and a calm state of mind. Once students are in this relaxed state, when asked if passing seems like a likely outcome, the answer is usually a resounding yes.
There are many ways to approach the situations that make us feel anxious: your therapist will help you to visualise these different possibilities, teach you techniques to calm your anxiety and encourage you to explore your own potential.
Designed to help you feel confident to pursue activities outside of your comfort zone, hypnotherapy for anxiety can give you the support you need to feel calmer, more content, and positive about your future.