From big bangs and scary masks to huge fake spiders and massive flames, Halloween and Bonfire Night are frightening times for those of us who suffer from a variety of phobias. 
We all know that our pets – in particular dogs – can be traumatised by the explosive fireworks and some find it strange that humans can be affected too.
Phonophobia, also called ligyrophobia or sonophobia, is an extraordinary fear of loud or explosive sounds. Fear, in itself, is a good thing which leads to the ‘fight or flight’ reaction and a need to survive.
But a phobia is an irrational fear which can take control of one’s life. It can range from a seemingly harmless thing like asymmetriphobia, which is all about asymmetric things to arachnaphobia (a fear of spiders) and nyctophobia (a fear of the dark or night time).
These phobias can be debilitating and lead to undue anxiety and stress. People who suffer from such phobias can really struggle at times like Halloween and Bonfire Night – even though they know the huge spiders in shop windows are faker and the big bangs from the fireworks are far away.
Dealing with phobias is not easy but hypnotherapists can offer valuable help and, in many cases, allow people to control or overcome their phobias and lead a normal life. The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) has therapists across the UK who can offer such help.
A therapist can help the sufferer identify the root cause of the phobia and enable individuals to react to the particular object or situation they once feared in a calmer manner when encountering it in the future. The therapist can also help with relaxation and visualisation techniques for desensitisation and forming new habits such as being more calm and relaxed.
The NCH says that people with phobias often know their response is irrational, which makes it harder to accept.
“Why am I reacting like this when I know it can’t hurt me?” is something most hypnotherapists hear from a client who has come to see them for treating a phobia.
Phobias are far more common than many people realise. It is estimated that more than 11% of the population have some kind of irrational fear.
How are phobias treated through hypnotherapy? The NCH says: “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.”
A hypnotherapist will evaluate the level of the phobia and then use a combination of techniques to help resolve it, gradually building up confidence and the ability to stay calm when confronted with the phobia.
“It may be hard to believe, but in just one session you could be able to hold a spider in a transparent container on your lap, maybe even hold it or see one across the floor in front of you when previously you may have run screaming out of the room at the sight of one,” says the NCH.
To book treatment sessions for a phobia, use the NCH directory (by clicking here) to find which of the more than 1800 NCH therapists is close to you.