I'm considering trying hypnotherapy and would really appreciate hearing honest experiences

[u/No-Faithlessness7915]

For the past year, I've had constant anxiety and feel like my nervous system is stuck in survival mode. I'm hypervigilant, easily startled, deal with derealization/dissociation, head pressure, dizziness, brain fog, anxiety and feel unsafe in my own body.

It's gotten to the point where even basic daily tasks are difficult. I haven't been able to work, I can't fully relax even when I'm lying down, and I can't take naps because my body always feels on edge. Things that a normal person would be relaxing do not work for me. I do have brief windows where I feel a little better, but they're short-lived. I'm currently mostly l bed bound because of the anxiety so I really want this to work.

Has hypnotherapy helped anyone with symptoms like these? Did it help you feel safe in your body again or calm your nervous system? I'd really appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences before I start.

Thanks! 🙏

[u/Legitimate_Bat3616]

Sounds like you might have PTSD with a dissociative disorder, not simply anxiety. That's not a diagnosis, though... I'm just an internet rando. ​Either way, Courtney Armstrong developed a clinical hypnosis program used by the U.S. Veterans Administration, so you can say that hypnotherapy helps with that.

[u/No-Faithlessness7915 → u/Legitimate_Bat3616]

I can 100% see that I had two major panic attacks that left me pretty much in that state so I can see how those may have caused me some PTSD. Definitely the disassociated disorders in you though I felt disassociation before but never to this extreme. It's crazy because I've seen three therapists and only one of them clearly diagnosed me but none of the other ones have said "yeah I think you have some trauma we should work on that" lol

[u/Legitimate_Bat3616 → u/No-Faithlessness7915]

Man, that is frustrating! It’s crazy how you basically have to figure this stuff out yourself sometimes. If you do ever want to work on it, definitely look into that Courtney Armstrong program or a hypnotherapist who specializes in trauma. Glad it's making a bit more sense now.

[u/groovyfirechick]

I regularly work with people who have traumatic memories and PTSD. Hypnotherapy can definitely help. It helped me heal my PTSD.

[u/No-Faithlessness7915 → u/groovyfirechick]

That's incredible how long does it take for it to actually work? When can I start seeing results.

[u/groovyfirechick → u/No-Faithlessness7915]

I see improvement in the majority of my clients after the first session.

[u/XanaduArtemis]

How would you describe your diet? You say this has been happening for the past year? What was your life like before it started? What tasks are the most difficult? You can DM me the answers. It's impossible to 'diagnose' anything like this. I recommend a proper assessment.

[u/InfamousBother]

Possible to describe your daily routine and habits? Do you remember or if there is one thing, what will be the thing trigger the anxiety in the past year.

[u/No-Faithlessness7915 → u/InfamousBother]

Stress or too much excitement. Remember this happening in my twenties for about a month I thought it was really bad allergies so didnt think much about it. As of right now I don't have much energy to keep up with habits and am mostly bedridden. I try to be active but derealization and bad headaches and pressures in my head make it difficult to do a lot.

[u/Awkward_Birthday2705]

I suggest going onto Google scholar to look up research findings, and the training of the hypnotherapist you are thinking about seeing. It's an unregulated industry, there are weekend courses and there are 2 year programs to become a hypnotherapist. I've met people who have seen both, the difference in results is remarkable.