We all suffer from a form of anxiety at some time in our lives. Even the stars – those well-groomed confident people who strut the world’s stages – suffer from anxiety, stress and depression, as recent reports have shown.
Singer Selena Gomez says she is taking some time off to deal with panic attacks, anxiety and depression. The BBC reported that she told that she suffered from Lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways.
“I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of Lupus, which can present their own challenges,” she said. “I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off.”
According to the NHS, lupus is a complex and poorly understood condition that affects many different parts of the body.
Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik has cancelled his Dubai concert because of what he calls ‘extreme anxiety’. He was due to play a one-off gig at the city’s Autism Rocks Arena on 7 October.
In a message to fans he said he’s been working on how he deals with his nerves but didn’t feel comfortable enough to play live.
“I feel I am making progress but I have today acknowledged that I do not feel sufficiently confident to move forward with the planned show,” he said. Malik also pulled out of the Capital Summertime Ball in June, again blaming his anxiety for cancelling the show.
The 23-year-old has only played a handful of live shows since leaving One Direction, which have mainly consisted of one song on US TV shows.
And then Fifth Harmony’s Camilla Cabello left the stage early at the group’s gig in Missouri on recently, later explaining on Snapchat that she ‘was having too much anxiety’ to finish the set.
Other stars including Adele, Britney Spears, Johnny Depp and David Beckham have all spoken publicly about their mental health issues in the past.
“And while some people manage, more and more people are showing signs of over-anxiety, which leads to stress, which can make a significant impact on the quality of life and wellbeing,” the professional body states.
Explaining anxiety, the NCH adds: “Anxiety is a fear or concern that is exaggerated, and is out of proportion to the situation, although sometimes it may not feel like this.
“The symptoms of anxiety correlate with the stress response or ‘fight-or-flight’. This is primal response that protects you against threats in your environment, so if danger is present your body triggers a rush of blood to your arms and legs so that you can fight or run away.”
So how does clinical hypnotherapy help with an anxiety problem?
A hypnotherapist can assess the anxiety, identifying the root of stress or anxiety whether it is a situation, a physical issue, a past experience or a relationship.
After this, says the NCH, the therapist will set the client a goal, asking how they wish to feel, how they would like to be, and what that they would chose to do in their life if free from anxiety.
The therapist will then work with the client to reach these goals using a range of different techniques. Every therapist may use slightly different techniques, but will working towards the same goal – being free of anxiety.
This is done by working with the sub-conscious mind to change thinking and unlock the potential to break free of negative thought patterns and to react more positively and more confidently to situations that may have previously caused anxiety.
“After sessions with a hypnotherapist you may feel more confident; more relaxed in situations that have previously challenged you. Many people say that they are calmer and that they have more clarity of thought – able to make decisions more easily,” concludes the NCH.
If you think you are suffering from anxiety, the NCH Hypnotherapy Directory lists all currently active NCH-registered therapists. Click here to access one near you, it can be life-changing.