Health Anxiety

Health Anxiety

Do you suffer from health anxiety?

Do these worries take up a lot of your mental time and energy each day?

Do they affect your work and concentration?

Are you constantly checking your health and cross referencing symptoms on the internet? (Often the more we look the more likely we are to find something that to a non medical professional will appear to match our symptoms. This may then verify in our mind that we definitely must be suffering from this particular illness. In fact people with a health anxiety problem may well imagine that the very anxieties they are experiencing are proof that they have some form of serious illness!

Most of us will naturally worry about our health from time to time and having an awareness and interest in one’s health is a good habit. Unfortunately some people have an over exaggerated tendency worry about their health and once fixated on this ican become all consuming. If one has a tendency to worry a lot then health issues may well be an area that the mind fixates on. Persistent health anxieties can often be linked to OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and obsessional thinking may well be part of the overall picture.

Getting a check-up from a medical practitioner is never something to avoid if we have genuine concern for our health but finding that your life is being taken over with constant unsubstantiated health worries is another issue. Some people with health anxiety will find themselves looking constantly for reassurance from their doctor or talking it through with friends. Others will actually avoid going to see a medical professional for fear of getting their “illness” ratified and so will spend their time in constant fear, worry and pursuing their own “medical research”. Thus, what may have started as a minor worry can soon escalate into paranoia taking over one’s life often to the detriment of personal relationships and career.

A health anxiety issue may come from such sources such as illness as a child, a family member suffering from a serious illness or a family member who has constant anxiety around their health.

I regularly work with clients who are struggling with this issue which may also be linked to depression or an anxiety disorder. I use hypnosis and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) as the main strategies for healthy change when working with clients with health anxieties. In my practice I find them to be excellent tools to help alleviate the stress and anxieties that go along with this issue helping to bring about a more measured and rational approach to day to day health.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, if you would like to make an appointment please visit the website. Alternatively, please send an Email

To discuss my services in the first instance, please call 07970218451 and I will be happy to discuss how I could help you.

Always seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner first.

Case study using Hypnosis and EFT for Bulimia

EFT for Bulimia

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can be very difficult to treat and many people suffering in this area may never fully recover control over the problem. There are many different reasons and conjectures about the causes of an eating disorder so it is important that medical advice is taken since they are not just injurious to a person’s health but can be fatal.

Treatment can for eating disorders can be ongoing for months or years without a satisfactory outcome leaving family and sufferer in a very difficult place. However I have worked with very good results with a number of eating disorder clients and below is a case study of a recent client who came to me with bulimia.

(Names and some incidents are altered to protect client anonymity)

Ann, a young lady in her late twenties came to see me after having suffered from an unhealthy preoccupation with her eating habits since she was a young girl. She had always been on and off diets and had resorted to binge eating and then vomiting to control her weight. She was feeling helpless with the situation and although she held down a responsible job her self confidence and self belief was dipping lower and lower .

In our first session I took notes and information about how long this had been an issue and information about her past background and experiences although I always let my clients reveal whatever past issues they may have had in their own time. In fact they may not even remember some of this information consciously and if they do not wish to discuss certain things then that is fine and we can still work without that information.

Ann had the internal message that she had “always been big” and this to me is the sort of phrase that tells me a lot about where an issue is coming from. Our speech patterns and the phrases we use will give us plenty of clues about where to look and how to resolve the underlying issues once we are attuned to them.

In a situation such as this there are two important elements, one is releasing any past trauma physical or emotional around the issue and two, building a client’s confidence. One of the techniques I use is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) which I think is a wonderful tool that can truly help clear past issues very rapidly and instil confidence sometimes with almost miraculous speed. And not only can we work with it in the sessions but the client can take the technique with them and use it on a n everyday basis themselves to help continue the work between sessions. This not only speeds up the process but involves the client in the process giving them control that they may well have felt unable to access previously.

After the first session Ann returned two weeks later to report that things had been much better and that the tools I had given her had really helped her take control whenever she had any of these urges to binge. However she had experienced a relapse for three days but using the techniques she had got herself back on track again. In this second session I started helping her develop her confidence and self belief and the next time we met she had not binged at all and said she felt normal and much more relaxed. We then scheduled another appointment although due to other commitments she could not come back for a month. At this stage I would have preferred to see her a little sooner but that was not possible. However I always let clients know that they can email or call me if they are experiencing any issues between sessions. This is important since I would rather they do not loose time getting stuck when they can continue building on the changes they are already making.

When Ann came back to see me four weeks later I could immediately see in her a much happier and grounded person than the one that had walked in just four sessions previously. She had applied for a new job so for our final session we discussed how she was feeling about things went over anything that needed any “tidying up” and then worked on simple but powerful ways she could take this new found confidence into the job interview and also continue to develop it in her everyday life.

Ann emailed me a month later to say that she had got the job and was feeling really good and much happier than before. This may seem a simple process and in many ways it was although every person I see has a different story and a different history. For me there is no set routine but rather an understanding that every one who walks into my office is an individual with their own personal needs and desires. Starting from that place I can use hypnosis, NLP, or EFT and my own unique techniques in a way that will offer individual opportunities for personal change whatever the issue.

If you would like to discuss further how I can help you, or someone close to you who has an eating disorder please call 07970218451 or email roger@rogerfoxwell.co.uk and I will be happy to discuss any aspect of this or any other issue with you.

 

“Marlboro Man” dies from smoking related illness!

Smoking Related Illness

At least four Marlboro Men have died from smoking  related illness.

On January 14th this year 2014 Eric Lawson, an actor who appeared in the Marlboro Man advertisements, died of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) age 72. He was one of various professional actors and actual cowboys who were hired to depict the all American healthy, tough and rugged male smoker of Marlboro cigarettes through the 50’s into at least the 90’s and beyond in one or two countries.

The Marlboro Man adverts were brought about in 1949 to help reposition the brand as a cigarette that men as well as women could smoke. The Marlboro brand had, since it’s introduction in 1924 been marketed as a cigarette for women but by the late 40’s as the dangers of smoking became more apparent it was thought (mistakenly) that a filter offered some protection against the toxic dangers of smoking tobacco. While other manufacturers were busy promoting the supposed health benefits of filter cigarettes Philip Morris used the ingenious marketing ploy of making the whole idea of smoking their brand masculine and depicting freedom. By using the image of the healthy outdoor life coupled with the iconic masculine image of the cowboy the Marlboro brand began to appeal to men and from 1955 to 1957 sales rocketed achieving a staggering 300% increase.

It is interesting to see a clip of one of these original adverts (youtube). Notice how the ad hooks the viewers unconscious attention from curiosity to confusion, through frustration and then to resolution. This advertising trick is designed to hook us in and then rely on our natural unconscious need for resolution. Having been drawn through curiosity, confusion and frustration unconsciously we are looking for resolution and here everything we are being sold along with the promised experience (freedom, masculinity, the great outdoors and nature) is linked at the end to what is being sold – cigarettes. Very clever when we realise that freedom, masculinity, the great outdoors and nature has anything to do with smoking a cigarette! (Cigarette advertising has been banned in the UK since 1970 and is also banned or restricted in many other countries)

I have been using hypnosis for the last twenty years to successfully help hundreds of clients quit smoking. Now that we are all so much more aware of the dangers of smoking and smokers are hit with the ever increasing price of a pack there is really nothing left to imagine can commend them. If you are ready right now to stop smoking just call or email me and I will be happy to help you kick this unpleasant and dangerous habit. It may have looked attractive all those years ago in the adverts but there is nothing attractive about the dangers to one’s health that we are now so much more aware of. I aim to help everyone I see to quit in one session.

Many see the unfortunate deaths of some of the “Marlboro Men” from smoking related disease as an apt irony to the way cigarettes and smoking has been depicted in the past. Now we are all a lot wiser about the dangers of smoking than we ever were and have much more knowledge and information available to help us make our own informed decisions.

If you are ready to make that decision I look forward to hearing from you.

rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com

07970218451 01415711138

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription Drug Addiction and how hypnosis can help

Drug abuse is something that is never far away from the news but prescription drug addiction is an issue that is not so often discussed.

Abuse of prescribed drugs can take the form of taking pills prescribed for someone else, overuse of painkillers or tranquillisers, asking for repeat prescriptions before the last one has run out, a feeling of dependency on the drug and many other variations. Even over the counter drugs can be addictive and can have very serious side effects if taken out-with the recommended dosage.

The problem is learning how to come off prescription medication (which always should be done under medical supervision) and finding out why there appears to be a need to take this medication inappropriately.

I have successfully worked with clients in this area for many years and similarly when treating smoking, food issues and substance abuse, hypnotherapy has a very powerful and effective track record in helping people with all sorts of addictions. I use a combination of Hypnosis, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and NLP plus simple but effective techniques that my clients can take with them and use to continue at home thus continuing the work done in the therapy room. This helps regain that feeling of control that is much needed for addiction issues and speed up the process of recovery. Even pain can be alleviated with

hypnosis which may help reduce medication when medically appropriate.

If you or anyone you know has a problem getting off prescription (or over the counter) medication it is important to get help from your GP and also look for good professional therapeutic help to remove the cravings and deal with any issues that may have led up to the addiction.

For more information call 07970218451 or email rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com and I will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.

Alcohol Abuse, the dangers and what you can do about it.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol Abuse

What does the term alcohol abuse really mean? We all know the word alcoholic and we know that certain people drink too much but where does the term alcohol abuse fit in? If someone is suffering from alcohol abuse it means that they may not yet be physically dependent on alcohol but the alcohol is already beginning to have a negative impact on their lives. This negative impact can take the form of relationship and family problems related to drinking, issues at work, driving while under the influence and irresponsible behavior patterns.

Left to follow it’s own path alcohol abuse can become a slippery path towards some very unpleasant experiences. Some may be able to sustain an outside appearance that everything is normal but this will be at great expense to family, relationships, job prospects and self worth.

However thinking about stopping is one thing and taking action is another. This is where it is very important to find a group and/or therapist to help give support advice and counseling in these situations. Some people get good results from meetings such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and for others therapy in some form will help them find the strength to get out of this destructive cycle.

A couple of books I can recommend are Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey and Addictive Thinking by Abraham J. Twerski. However a book cannot replace qualified help and support and the longer this issue is left to develop the greater the danger that personal, physical, financial and emotional damage will occur. Although we often hear the terms genetic and disease used with regards to alcohol issues at the end of the day taking responsibility for our own health and behavior is the only thing that counts.

The techniques I offer my clients are designed to help take control of one’s life and thinking and develop the self esteem and confidence that everyone deserves to experience on an everyday basis. Hypnotherapy, NLP and EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique) are powerful and empowering tools that have given so many of my clients the opportunity to get their lives back on track If you feel it is time for you to make a real change in your life call me on 07970218451 or email rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss any aspect of this with you.

Avoid the unconscious smoking trap.

Unconscious Smoking Trap

The hidden reason people often quit smoking and then start again and how to avoid that trap

Most of the clients who come to see me for hypnotherapy to stop smoking have at various times in their lives attempted to stop without success or have in fact stopped for a period of time but started again after a few months and sometimes even years later. They invariably report that as non smokers they felt healthier, fitter and did not miss smoking at all. But that is until a voice in their head said “one won’t hurt” or “just this once to help calm me down.

I am sure we all recognise this scenario from personal experience or from someone we know who has fallen into this trap. What we don’t know is that this trap has most likely been set the moment we gave up! In fact when we stopped we actually hypnotised ourselves unconsciously to give ourselves permission to start at a later date. So how did this happen and how can we avoid it?

First I will ask you a question. How often do you talk to yourself? “Most of the time I think” is the standard answer that we would probably give. When we talk to ourselves we are using what sounds like our own voice. Now think of it this way, there are occasions when this inner voice sounds like someone else’s voice. For instance if we are internally mimicking what someone else has said to us.

So who’s voice is this? It’s your old smoking voice, the one that used to say “I’m getting a bit low I’ll just go out and get another pack to make sure I have enough.” It’s the voice that said “I’m feeling really stressed I must have a cigarettes.” Remember? It was telling you what to do all the time and just popped back up when you were least expecting it. When we stop smoking there is often a minefield of excuses left behind waiting to trip us up at at any moment we are not paying attention.

In a session will suggest to my clients that they never listen to that voice again and now they are aware of it,how it works and what it does they will be able to deal with it. So if you are about to quit or are already well into your new life as a non smoker make sure you are prepared for that old smoking voice if it tries to hijack all your good work in the future.

Some people may think that being hypnotised means that they have no control and someone is going to tell them what to do. The only thing a hypnotherapist will suggest to a client is what the client really wants to do and experience (as long it is for their own good) and that will always be prearranged between both parties. But isn’t it interesting how we are doing so many things on a daily basis without conscious awareness? Yes, we are very good at putting ourselves into trance without even knowing it.

If you would like to stop smoking with the help of hypnosis and the power of your own mind please call me on 07970218451 or you can rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com to either book an appointment or for more information.

Help to Stop Smoking

Stop Smoking

Hypnotherapy can help you to stop smoking

Did you know that smoking just two cigarettes a day can still leave you in danger from smoking related illness? Research by The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta found that there was still calculable risk from casual smoking even at two cigarettes a day. And apparently living with a smoker can leave a non smoker vulnerable to inhaling up to a third of the smoker’s smoke! smoker’s smoke!

When working with clients who are ready to quit smoking for good, the easiest thing about stopping is that unlike food, if one is trying to lose weight, there is no to ever smoke a cigarette again. This in effect makes it a simple change to make. We all have to eat but none of us has to smoke.

So there really is no need to hang on to those one or two “now and again” cigarettes. They are still harmful and stopping completely helps the ex smoker let go of a lot of unconscious guilt and anxiety around cigarettes.

Another important psychological change is that once we stop doing something it tends to become less and less present in our conscious mind. If you don’t like a certain food you probably won’t even notice it when out shopping because it simply is no longer in your awareness. The same with cigarettes. Once we don’t “do them” any more we begin not to notice them.

Roger successfully helps clients to Stop Smoking. If you would like more information just call 07970218451 or email rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com

Planning to Stop Smoking. Then make a plan!

Stop Smoking

When you are ready to stop smoking an important part of the process is to make a plan. Making a plan and writing it down will greatly enhance your chances of success. If you intend to cut down gradually mark the numbers you decide on in your diary and tick each success off. To stop smoking completely and immediately mark down the day you made or are going to make that decision so that it becomes registered in your mind. Some people like to tell friends and family to help focus on taking responsibility for getting a result and others just like to quietly go about it with no fuss or peer pressure. It is your choice and the clearer in your mind the steps you take the easier you will find it to get your result.

Planning will make it a lot easier and will help keep you focused. If you would like more help to quit smoking using hypnosis then call me on 07970218451 or email rogerfoxwell.therapy@gmail.com and I will be happy to help you kick the habit.

Alcohol and Hypnosis

Alcohol Addiction

Problems with alcohol, social and physical, are rarely out of the news these days and I find myself seeing more and more clients who are trying to get their lives back on track before it is too late. The success that I have had over the years has proved to me that hypnosis is a very powerful intervention that really helps clients get control back in their lives. A recent article in The Times helps support my experience so if you or someone you know needs help in this area it is well worth a read.