Ho, ho, ho! It’s that time of year when shops are bursting at the seams and the pressure is one to get those Christmas presents, get the turkey and do all the stuff that needs to be done before the holiday season hits. 
Some of us find this easy to do; others not so much. Many people find crowds and open spaces too much to deal with and, as a result, suffer panic attacks from their phobia.
Agoraphobia, says the NHS, is the fear of public spaces which is estimated to affect 30 people in every 1,000 at any one time in the UK. It is also known to affect people in public transport, open spaces like parks, closed-in places like shops and malls, crowds in general or even being outside their home alone.
Phobias are exaggerated fears which can be debilitating and have a marked effect on people’s lives. According to the website webMD, there are many drugs that a doctor might suggest for agoraphobia.
The most common drugs prescribed will be anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicines. Doctors often start with a low dose of one of these medicines that raises the level of a ‘feel-good’ chemical in the brain, known as serotonin.
WebMD says phobics will probably need to take medicine for at least 6 months to a year and, when no longer stressed when in places, the doctor may begin tapering off the medication.
Another and quicker way to deal with phobias is hypnotherapy. The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) has the largest register of qualified therapists in the UK – all of whom can effectively treat people with phobias.
Hypnotherapy is an evidence-based therapy, says the NCH, with over 70,000 research references worldwide, but it is often misunderstood by the public.
It is important to understand that hypnotherapy is not a magic pill. It requires that the client be committed to change and prepared to make the effort to make that change a reality.
In treating phobias, generally the solution is to see that phobia in a different context starting from an objective perspective and then gradually building up exposure from a minimal to comfortable level.
“Using hypnosis this can be done rapidly as the unconscious is able to process information more effectively without the interference of the critical mind. This is a known as desensitisation,” says the NCH.
Often phobias can be treated in just one session. There is, however, no guarantee as change depends on the individual’s willingness to embrace it.
Most therapists will therefore give you a realistic expectation of how long treatment may last.
Now, that’s a lot quicker than medication. To find your nearest NCH hypnotherapist. Simple use the directory by clicking here and entering your post code. It’s that easy!