From anxiety to confidence: My story and tips for others

As someone who has personally experienced the devastating effects of social anxiety, I understand firsthand the fear, self-doubt, and isolation that can come with this condition.

For me, social anxiety began as a result of being bullied in school and persisted into my early 20s, causing me at times to avoid meeting new people and fear negative judgment from others. It impacted my work experiences, causing me to feel anxious in group meetings and presentations, over prepare for projects and I struggled with imposter syndrome. It felt like a heavy weight that I couldn't shake and it significantly impacted my personal relationships and quality of life. 

But that all changed when I decided to seek help from a cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist. Having worked in NHS mental health services as a specialist occupational therapist, I was aware of the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and had read about the benefits of this combined with hypnosis.

Through a combination of therapy and hypnosis, I learned to identify and modify the negative thought patterns and behaviours that contributed to my social anxiety, and I gained coping strategies and skills to manage my anxiety in the moment. It was a transformative experience that completely changed the way I interacted with the world and myself. 

Now, as a hypnotherapist myself, I'm passionate about helping others overcome social anxiety and lead happier, more fulfilling lives. If you're struggling with social anxiety and are ready to take control of your life, I encourage you to seek help. Cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnosis can be incredibly effective in treating social anxiety, and with the right support, you can break free from the cycle of fear and self-doubt and start living the life you deserve. 

Five ways cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy helped me overcome social anxiety

1. Learning to recognise and challenge negative thoughts

Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy helped me to identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that were driving my social anxiety, and to replace them with more realistic and positive ones.

2. Gradually exposing myself to social situations

With the support of my hypnotherapist, I began to challenge my fears by gradually exposing myself to social situations that I found anxiety-provoking. This helped me to build up my confidence and coping skills over time. 

3. Practicing relaxation techniques

My hypnotherapist taught me a variety of relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, which helped me to manage my anxiety in the moment. 

4. Developing a greater sense of self-awareness

Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy helped me to become more aware of my thoughts and feelings, and to understand how they were impacting my behaviour. This increased self-awareness was crucial in helping me to manage my social anxiety. 

5. Building self-confidence

Through hypnotherapy, I was able to work on my self-confidence and self-esteem, which in turn helped me to feel more comfortable in social situations. Overall, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy was a valuable tool in my journey to overcome social anxiety. 

If you're someone who is struggling with social anxiety, I want you to know that you are not alone and that there is hope for recovery.