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Money can already make for an uncomfortable conversation, but approaching the topic of gambling, and when you’re worried it has become a problem – that’s something else entirely.

If you’re worried about a friend or loved ones’ gambling, the first thing to remember is to broach the subject carefully. If they know it has become a problem, they may have been hiding it from you – they may feel ashamed and scared, so may become defensive if pushed.

Be sure not to start the conversation in a public place, surrounded by friends, and choose your words carefully. Speak somewhere private but comfortable, without judgement or blame.

Problem gambling: The signs to look out for

Problem gambling isn’t easy to detect, but there are some signs that indicate a habit has become something more serious. Common signs include:

• More irritable or...

Any form of addiction, whether it’s to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or even shopping, has the power to take control of someone’s life. Priorities shift, behaviours change and the person battling addiction may find themselves stuck in the addiction-recovery-relapse cycle.

Often these addictions form as a way to cope with difficult emotions or stressful life events. Substances like drugs and alcohol may be used as a form of self-medication and over time, a reliance is formed.

Unlike fears and general anxiety, phobias tend to be specific. There may be a certain object, animal or situation that brings you out in a cold sweat. Whatever it is, having a phobia can make everyday tasks more difficult.

For example, if you have a phobia of lifts, the idea of meeting someone for a business meeting on the 100th floor of a building suddenly feels impossible.

If you feel as though your phobia is holding you back, there are ways you can cope and professionals who can help.

Tell someone

No matter how silly or irrational you feel your phobia is, telling someone is the first step to overcoming it. This may be a friend or family member, or even your doctor. Let them know what the...

While it’s not widely diagnosed, emetophobia affects an estimated 1.7-3.1% of males and 6-7% of females. The symptoms and severity vary from person to person, for many though the fear of vomiting (or seeing others vomit) stops them doing the things they want.

If this sounds familiar and you think you may have emetophobia, speaking to your doctor can help you get a diagnosis and look at treatment options. The good news is that there are several different treatment options available, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), gradual exposure and hypnotherapy.  

Looking into a basket of rocks at a recent health and well-being conference I was asked to pick one that ‘called out to me’. I picked up a small round sandy coloured one that was just a little bit different to the other rocks in the pile. “This is a gratitude rock” I was told. Looking at the rock I’ll admit, I felt a little skeptical.

I’m a strong believer in the power of gratitude and journaling regularly to prompt a more grateful mindset, but wasn’t sure how this rock would fit into the equation.

The idea, I was told, is to put the rock somewhere you’ll either see or feel it regularly. Then, every time you see or feel it, think about one thing you are grateful for in that moment. And with that I smiled, thought ‘nice idea’ and popped the rock in my coat pocket, not giving it much more thought.

It...

According to Harley Street hypnotherapist, Adam Cox, phobias can affect our relationships all year-round.

“Phobias are an unconscious reaction to a stimulus, not a choice. People don’t choose to be frightened of love, intimacy, rejection or germs. The impact of these fears and phobias can mean people avoid flirting, dating, kissing and even sex and relationships.

The good news is that no matter how severe the phobia is, psychological tools such as hypnotherapy

Researchers from Columbia University and the University of California placed mice in mazes with open spaces (something mice are afraid of) and found certain cells at the bottom of the hippocampus became more active.

The team then tried to alter the activity of these ‘anxiety cells’ in the brain using optogenetics, which involves using light to control cells in living tissue. Reducing the activity in these cells made the mice less anxious and more willing to explore the open spaces.

Read more about the study on the Independent.

Making a change, and maintaining the change, is a difficult thing to master. Old habits die hard and well, we find comfort in routine. But when a habit or fear is holding you back, change is a good thing. In fact, it can change your life.

If there’s something you’re struggling with, whether it’s anxiety, a phobia, a habit or addiction, make this year the year you overcome it.

Hypnotherapy is one option, and is thought to be effective in treating a number of issues. Below, we look at three common issues hypnotherapy can help with, and how it can promote change for the better.

Anxiety

All of us will have felt anxious at some point. While when...

When the new year rolls around, so many of us sit down to decide what it is we really want to achieve in the next 12 months.

While we always have good intentions behind us, after a few months the novelty of the new year wears off and many of us revert back to old habits. If this is the year you really want to make lasting change, it may be time for you to consider getting a little extra help. And for many, hypnotherapy is the answer.

Here are some common New Year’s resolutions and how support from a hypnotherapist could help you finally keep them!

“I want to change my diet”

Eating habits can be very difficult to break. The way we eat can be ingrained from childhood, leading to some people turning to food as a source of comfort. If you have tried and failed to change your eating...