Social Phobia

Social Phobia After a Period of Isolation

Periods of reduced social contact affect everyone differently. For many, time spent away from usual social environments can bring unexpected emotional challenges. One of these is an increase in social anxiety and social phobia.

Social phobia after time away from social situations

For those who already experience social phobia, stepping back from regular social interaction may initially feel like a relief. However, without ongoing exposure, anxiety often increases rather than resolves.

When we are no longer engaging in everyday social experiences, we lose opportunities to challenge negative assumptions. Over time, our internal dialogue can become unhelpful, irrational and increasingly limiting.

Reduced social contact and social anxiety

Some people naturally enjoy their own company and adapt quickly to spending time alone. Others, even highly social individuals, find ways to cope when social interaction is limited. Humans are generally adaptable.

However, when it’s time to re-engage with others, this adjustment can feel far more difficult than expected.

Social situations may suddenly feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Confidence that once felt natural may seem out of reach.

Re-entering social situations

There are many factors that can make social interaction feel more challenging after time away. Changes in social behaviour, uncertainty about how others will respond, and navigating new expectations can all increase anxiety.

Social connection plays an important role in emotional wellbeing and happiness. The challenge is finding ways to reduce anxiety enough to reconnect and enjoy time with others again.

Social anxiety and lack of exposure

Social anxiety often grows when we avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. After extended time away from others, it’s common to question your ability to socialise with ease.

You may worry about returning to work, meeting new people or fitting back into familiar social environments. Concerns about embarrassment, rejection or being judged can feel overwhelming. Avoidance can start to feel like the safest option.

Therapy for social anxiety

If you’re experiencing increased social anxiety or social phobia, hypnotherapy can help.

With targeted support, it’s possible to rebuild confidence in social situations in as few as three online sessions.

Remember, adjusting after time away from others is something many people experience. You are not alone.

To learn more, contact Alix Needham today.

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Alix Needham

My techniques guarantee that you remain in control at every session. These techniques, developed over 25 years, are so effective that many issues can be addressed in as little as three sessions and my location in the very heart of London means you can book sessions to work around work.

Is Fear of Flying Ruining Your Holiday?
Is fear of flying ruining your holiday ? If so you are not alone. This is because one in ten people suffer from this phobia. However statistically flying is safe. But for some it feels contrary to our normal behaviour. So often people find it anxiety or stress inducing. However, the truth is there’s a higher chance of fatality from getting hit by lightning, than from a plane crash. Fearing of the unknown Are you worrying because of fear of the unknown? If you’ve never flown before, talking to people about what to expect. There may be some movement, your ears may pop and some parts of the wings will move .This is all normal and no cause for concern. If you’re not expecting it though, it can be unnerving. For a serious phobia this is not enough to change a conditioned fear response. What’s Causing the Fear? Do you know what’s causing you’re fear? Mostly these fears stemming from our subconscious mind. Because of this, hypnotherapy treatment is ideal. Hypnotherapy for Fear of Flying My advanced hypnotherapy treatments overcoming your fear of flying quickly, safely and effectively. In addition, working together on the following areas. Triggers I work with my clients exploring their fears in more detail . And tailoring treatments to them. A fear of flying can be complex. Are you afraid of heights, confined spaces or lack of control? What is it specifically about flying that triggers you? Are there certain sights and sounds that spark the fear response? If so, we can work on reversing these learned reactions. Many people developing phobias after a bad experience in the past. I work with clients to unravel and process these negative thoughts. In addition replacing them with calming influences and new positive reactions. Positive Visualisations Positive visualisations can be used in a hypnotherapy session encouraging your mind to react differently to stress of flying. Such as imagining a relaxing place or repeating a calming mantra. Furthermore rehearsing a positive flight with hypnotherapy. In this way your mind expecting a positive experience. And reacting accordingly. Being in Control Flying may seem more dangerous than driving because we have no control over the vehicle. Hypnotherapy can help you feel comfortable with releasing some aspects of control. Simultaneously you can feel more in control of your thoughts and feelings. As well as listening to relaxing music or positive visualisations. By learning self-hypnosis techniques, these can be practised on or before a flight. Next Steps Would you like to learn more about overcoming your fear of flying? Please do get in touch. Further Reading on Fears & Phobias Can Hypnotherapy treat fears? Fear of Flying: Video Fear of Flying Phobia How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying Generalised Anxiety Disorder Treatment
5 Ways to Overcome A Fear of Being Judged
Are you looking for ways to cope with a fear of being judged? If so help at hand with hypnotherapy. In today’s society with the growth of social media the fear of being judged is increasing massively. In addition, manifesting as social anxiety or social phobia disorder. Signs of fear of judgement Are you suffering anxiety around being judged? As well as feeling criticised by others? Is this leading to embarrassment, humiliation, and depression? Furthermore experiencing sweating, heart racing, breathlessness, panic, trembling, blushing, dry mouth – anything usually associated with high stress situations. Ways of overcoming fear of being judged Trigger Avoidance Whilst offering short term relief, avoiding situations is not useful for creating a happy life. Moreover, symptoms often worsen when facing the situation once again. Distraction Techniques Relaxation and distraction techniques are helpful in decreasing some anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness is also useful for spotting signs of anxiety before your symptoms are becoming out of control. Giving time for removing yourself from a stressful situation. Exposure Exposing yourself to a fearful situation is a way of overcoming this fear. Make an action plan of challenges and work through these steps gradually. This is useful in situations such as meeting new people or attending social events. If you’re having difficulties success is more likely by addressing the underlying cause first. Identifying and Changing Negative Thoughts One way of conquering social anxiety is by identifying false or negative thoughts. Instead replacing them with rational, positive beliefs. Are you worrying what other people are thinking? Or assuming the worst? Or perhaps assuming that everyone is negatively focusing on you? These are all examples of damaging thought processes. Recognising these in yourself is a key step towards change. Long Term Solutions Unfortunately although helpful none of the above is useful in resolving the original cause of the social phobia. In short, even by avoiding stressful situations for a while, the anticipation and fear of an attack will always be there. Hypnotherapy for Fear of Being Judged In conclusion, hypnotherapy is helpful in uncovering what’s causing your fears. As well as gaining long-term freedom from your symptoms. And by addressing your unconscious fears, hypnotherapy is perfectly placed. I’m finding that hypnotherapy is the best way to treat issues such as this. If you’d like to learn more, please do get in touch. Further Reading Social Anxiety Disorder & What It Is & How To Treat It How to overcome embarrassment Generalised Anxiety Disorder Fear of Authority Figures How To Handle Criticism
Overcome a Fear of Changing Jobs
Changing jobs can be a daunting experience for some. However, finding ways to overcome this fear will allow you to move forward more easily. A phobia of change creates anxiety, If you’re experiencing stress because of career change, coaching and hypnotherapy can be helpful. Fear of the unknown Do you feel more secure remaining in bad situations rather than risking the unknown? If so, this strategy is preventing you reaching your full potential. Furthermore, risks are necessary for happiness. Next? Its true to say that successful business people have a common trait ie the ability to deal with fear. Settling Are you settling for a comfortable job ? Although this creates feelings of safety, are you under challenged. Ask yourself, is your current situation is really making you happy? Fear of inadequacy Inadequacy may also be causing you to hold back from making a move . Are you feeling unsure about your abilities in a new role? You wouldn’t be seriously considering the move if you weren’t able. Moreover, you don’t have to know absolutely everything before you start. Anxious about loss of pride/status Is your anxiety about starting at the bottom again? Or losing the respect you’ve built up in your previously. Conversely, some people fear they will not be able to maintain their success in a new role. Changing fear into excitement Fear and excitement actually have many of the same physical symptoms. Chances are you’re excited about the prospect of a change as well as feeling nervous. Usefully, training the mind to interpret these feelings as positive, can be achieved through hypnotherapy. Treating fear as an ally In addition, there are positives to being fearful. Because fear let’s us know we are alive. Furthermore, turning fear into an ally is keeping us sharp.In short, improving confidence by harness fear and taking on new challenges. Taking a step back Ask yourself is the risk was worth the reward? What will you be gaining in a new work situation ? By understanding why you’re afraid. As well as breaking fears down into small steps, you’re courage will begin improving Embracing positivity Hypnotherapy is useful for clients wanting to embrace change. In conclusion, hypnosis is well placed to make changing jobs a positive experience. Learn More If you’d like to learn more about hypnotherapy and how the process could help you. Please do get in touch. Further Reading 5 Ways to Overcome A Fear of Being Judged Fear of Authority Figures How to Overcome Fear of Failure Can Hypnotherapy treat fears? Managing Conflict at Work
Fear of Authority Figures
A fear of authority figures is a type of social anxiety combining sudden shyness with a lack of confidence In addition, it triggers other symptoms such as blushing. Is this you? Are you behaving completely differently when talking to people in authority? Is social pressure making you feel nervous? Moreover, are you worrying about speaking or acting incorrectly? As well as feeling fearful about damaging your reputation? Fear of Authority at Work Unfortunately this fear is especially common at work. Many sufferers struggle when talking to bosses or others in authority. If you’re experiencing this problem you probably realise how damaging it can be to your reputation, professional relationships and careers. What Causes Fear of Authority? Firstly, its roots lie in a fear of being judged. Perhaps something happened in the past causing embarrassment or humiliation. Or there was a situation where you were found inadequate and rejected. As children we are taught to respect and sometimes even fear, authority figures. This causes us to revert back to these old feelings of low self worth. Feeling smaller and insignificant as the apparent magnitude of the person and situation grows. Old Traumas Sometimes the fear is caused by past traumatic experiences. Has a person in authority ever made you feel embarrassed, humiliated or rejected? Or left you feeling judged and powerless? Keeping Your Power No matter the position or money that is given to authority figures, you have a right not to fear them. By taking action you will stop giving them power. As well as releasing the hold they have over you. Tips For Talking to Authority Figures Here are a few tips that might help: Focusing on the person – not the power Avoiding defensiveness Asking questions and answer questions when asked Being aware of body language – don’t step back, make appropriate eye contact Relaxing and learning to control nerves Trusting their guidance Dissociating fear and anxiety with symbols of authority Concentrating on the positive and what you have in common Remembering this person goes home at night just like you Don’t be afraid to be assertive when necessary Hypnotherapy for Fear of Authority My hypnotherapy is extremely effective with these issues – treatment often overcomes the problem in just a few sessions. Fear of authority is an old outdated behaviour but the mind can be retrained with hypnotherapy. In conclusion if you’d like to feel more confident around people in authority please do get in touch to find out how I can help. Online Therapy I have seen a significant increase in individuals wanting online hypnotherapy sessions to help them deal with a wide range of issues. Read more about the benefits of online hypnotherapy here. More Reading on Fear of Authority Figures Is approval seeking behaviour holding you back Stop comparing yourself to others 6 ways in which you ‘re your own worse enemy How to improve low self esteem Stop feeling like a victim People Pleaser personality traits Confident communication Do you worry too much what others think?
How to Overcome Fear of Failure
So many clients come to me for help with fear, motivation or confidence. These are often all linked by an overwhelming fear of failure which holds people back from achieving their full potential in life. Some fear is natural and serves an important purpose, like stopping us jumping off a cliff or stepping out into the middle of a road. In today’s complex society there are many things we’ve become afraid of that pose no substantial threat. Fear of judgment, embarrassment or social anxiety are not always helpful. Here’s some tips which may help you start overcoming your fear of failure: Reframe the Fear The whole concept of ‘failure’ needs to be looked at in our modern society. Mastering a skill or completing a project takes time and effort and we usually have to go through ups and downs before completion. These ‘failures’ can be seen as learning experiences which help us on our way. Even if we have to rethink the entire idea, we’ll learn something about ourselves and the situation. Most successful people have had more than their fair share of failures along the way. Avoid All-or-Nothing Thinking It’s often our unrealistic expectations that mark progress as failure. Don’t expect too much from yourself or others. Instead, see each stage as an evolving process. Distorted thinking can encourage us to view things in absolute terms – success or failure – rather than in a more nuanced way – experiences and learning. Be Kind to Yourself Fear is usually there for a reason and should be dealt with rather than ignored. Don’t mock yourself or your fear. Ask yourself why it is really there and what it is telling you. Are you ill-prepared for this next venture? Are the risks too high? Is a past experience clouding your judgement? Sometimes we can take practical actions to lessen our fears such as further preparation or risk reduction. Other times our fear of failure is unrealistic or skewed and is holding us back from possible success. A hypnotherapy session can help you take a look at your own fears and discover more about them and yourself. Avoid Over-Personalisation When we experience failure it’s easy for us to personalise the setback as a reflection on our character. If we experience failure that doesn’t mean we ARE a failure. Examine the circumstances as if they were another person’s, as this often encourages a more measured view. Learn from the facts but don’t invent fiction. Try to control the emotions linked to the events. A coaching session could help you deal with the situation and generate a new approach. Take Action The only real failure is when we let our fears stop us from trying, or give up after a setback. It’s healthy to deal with our fears and emotions, to question why we’re so afraid and how we might be able to change our thought patterns to be more positive, confident and daring in pursuit of our success. I have helped many clients overcome a fear of failure and I could help you too. If you’d like to learn more about how to overcome your fear of failure please do get in touch. Further Reading Public Speaking Confidence From Anxiety How To Be Successful at Interviews? Social Anxiety Disorder & What It Is & How To Treat It Overcome a Fear of Changing Jobs How to overcome insecurity issues
Can Hypnotherapy Treat Fears?
Can Hypnotherapy treat fears? We all experience fear. It’s a natural, healthy emotion that developed to keep us safe. Sometimes our fear response becomes overwhelming or is triggered by something irrational, and then it can cause problems with our health and wellbeing. There are lots of different stimulants in today’s modern world and it’s no longer the case that fear is only triggered by things which we should avoid. Flying, rollercoasters, public speaking, spiders…whatever you fear, hypnotherapy is an effective method of treatment that can help free you from symptoms of overwhelming panic and anxiety. Fear becomes a problem if: It causes you long-term distress It interferes with your daily life You avoid specific situations or places because of it It causes you intense anxiety or panic If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it could be time for you to seek help. You’ll be surprised at just how much relief you can get from hypnotherapy, no matter how overwhelming your fear seems. How Hypnotherapy Can Help Addressing the cause Addressing the cause of your fear is a powerful step towards overcoming it. Fear often manifests after a traumatic event that you might not always remember. You may have got yourself stuck in a destructive thought pattern or negative reasoning which, with treatment, can be reversed. Hypnotherapy can address the root of your fear and uncover subconscious influences you wouldn’t otherwise be aware of. Coping techniques Coping techniques together we can practise coping techniques that you can turn to when fear rears its head. Practising this in a safe place with a controlled mind allows you to easily recall the lessons when needed. False Beliefs Our fears are often built around false beliefs about what is dangerous, what can harm us and what is likely to happen. Hypnotherapy can help you question these beliefs and uncover the truth. Once your mind understands on a deeper level that you are not in danger and that a fear response in unnecessary, you will begin to feel relief. Relaxation and calmness Relaxation is a powerful tool to fight a fear response. By inducing a relaxing hypnotic state and then rehearsing fear situations, you will find yourself well-conditioned and trained to face these in future. We can teach the mind to experience a calm response in situations that previously caused panic. Misuse of imagination Imagination is something that builds and fuels fear. You only need to be in the house alone after watching a horror film to know that your own mind can play tricks on you and that your imagination can be your own worst enemy. Learn to use your imagination for positivity and reassurance when faced with difficult situations. Positive visualisation can be extremely powerful in reversing fears and phobias. Eliminating conditioned responses Changing conditioned responses is something that can be very difficult to do alone because learned reactions and behaviours are so powerful. Our mind learns to associate a certain place or situation with a fear response. If we can begin to undo these responses, our mind gradually learns that its conditioned response is unwarranted and unhelpful Confidence building Confidence building can treat any fears that are a result of low self-esteem or lacking confidence and by strengthening these within ourselves we find ourselves much more equipped to deal with fear. Hypnotherapy is the perfect therapy for improving self-belief on a fundamental level. This could also have a beneficial effect on many other areas of your life. Next Steps Hypnotherapy is enjoyable, unobtrusive and empowering and we can often make real progress in as little as 3 sessions. Please contact me to find out more about how I could help you overcome your fear. Further Reading on Hypnosis for Fears 5 Ways to Overcome A Fear of Being Judged Is Fear of Flying Ruining Your Holiday? 5 Ways to Overcome A Fear of Being Judged How to Overcome Fear of Failure Fear of Public Speaking
How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying
Fear of flying, or aviophobia, is extremely common and prevents some people from seeing the world, enjoying holidays or visiting loved ones. I treat many people with a fear of flying using advanced hypnotherapy, providing safe and effective relief from phobias like this. Getting to the root of the problem and changing your negative thought patterns is the most effective way to provide relief, but if your phobia is mild or you’d just like to explore some techniques on your own, here are a few pointers to get you started. Understand the Real Risks Flying feels very alien to us – much more so than driving a car or crossing a road – but actually it is safer than both these things. In reality your chances of a plane crashing are only around 1 in 30 million. Compare this to the chances of a car accident (about 1 in 5000) or of dying of food poisoning (1 in 3 million) and you’ll see you do more dangerous things every day without worrying. Many people find it helps to learn more about how a plane works and how little can actually go wrong. Prepare Yourself Doing some research into planes, how they work and what to expect when travelling on them can help some people to calm their nerves. When you know what to expect, it prevents you naturally assuming the worst when something unexpected happens. Be aware that: • The plane needs to go fast at take-off to reach a certain speed. • Some turbulence is completely normal and is just the equivalent of driving over a bumpy road. • You may be asked to keep your seat belt on while seated. • You may experience a small amount of pressure in your ears – sucking a sweet or yawning can help. • You will be asked to have the blinds open for take-off and landing. • They will do an emergency briefing for every flight but don’t let this panic you. • If you can see the wings they may move during flight and this is nothing to worry about. • The door is held closed by 20000 pounds of pressure during flight at 30,000 feet so it can’t open. • The landing can feel fast and a bit bumpy but that’s normal. • Airplanes are subject to stringent safety checks and maintained regularly. Manage Your Anxiety Many people find it easier to accept the risks of driving a car because they feel they are more in control, and it feels a lot more natural to us. Learn to trust that the pilots are experts at what they do. Try gradually putting yourself in situations where you are not in control and practising relieving the associated anxiety. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are all useful things to learn and call on when anxiety strikes. Muscle relaxation, guided imagery and distraction techniques may also help. Do a little research into each of these and see which work for you. On The Day When you feel ready to fly there are a few tips that will make the experience run smoothly. • Travel with a trusted friend if you can. • Get there early to avoid any extra stress. • Become familiar with the airport and different types of planes beforehand. • Get to know the attendants and pilot if you have the chance. • Don’t drink too much alcohol – you don’t want to feel more out of control. • Distract yourself with snacks, books or magazines. • Many longer flights have movies and games to keep you busy. • Sleep if you can but don’t rely on sleeping pills. • Breathe slowly and deeply. • Squeeze your armrest if you need to relieve tension. • Get up and take a walk when appropriate. • Many people use an elastic band around their wrist to snap when they feel too anxious. • Listen to calming music or a talking book. • Concentrate on the reasons why you’re doing this and the pleasure you’ll get from your end destination. Hypnotherapy for Phobias Whilst these tips are useful for controlling and distracting from the fear, with help you could remove the phobia altogether. My London based hypnotherapy for phobias is a powerful tool that can help you conquer your fears and find the confidence to fly. If you’d like to learn more about the power of hypnotherapy and what it could do for you, please do get in touch.
Hypnosis for Phobias