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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by okydoky on June 29, 2008, at 18:32:03
Does anyone have any experience with hynotism? My therapist suggested that it might help with agrophobia. I went to a hypnotist years ago three times and thought he was raping me so I obviously did not go back. He is looking for a women hypnotist for me.
Just wondered whata others have to say?
oky
Posted by nolvas on June 29, 2008, at 19:37:53
In reply to Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by okydoky on June 29, 2008, at 18:32:03
I'm agoraphobic, I have experience with hypnotism and nlp in treating agoraphobia. Let's cut to the chase though, nothing helps more with treating Agoraphobia than facing the fear. This is the hardest yet quickest way to 'cure' Agoraphobia.
Hypnotism may help you feel a little more confident in facing the fears, I don't want you to waste time, at some point you have to face the fear, and you will probably have to do it many times to lessen the effect of the fear. It's damn tough but it has to be done.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is helpful. If you haven't had this treatment, then see your doctor and ask them to send you to an experienced therapist that can help teach you CBT techniques.
Whatever treatment you try, it's all down to facing the fear and being ready to face the fear.
Remember fear is the most powerful survival instinct for want of better word, that we have. I will allay some fears for you if you have ever considered them and I'm sure you have.
Fear is designed to protect you >
You will NEVER go crazy from fear. NEVER.
You will NEVER faint (Blood pressure is increased, what good is it lying immobile on the floor whilst a predator is about to attack you?)
You will not DIE from Agoraphobia.CBT and Hypnosis can help you change your thought patterns so that facing the fear, whilst uncomfortable will not be as frightening.
I am not cured of Agoraphobia, maybe I will never be, maybe I will. However I cope and it's coping that counts.
An old antibiotic drug called Seromycin (Cycloserine) can help the brain learn quicker that a situation is not dangerous, this still means facing the fear, but it means that facing the fear becomes productive quicker than without the drug.
Agoraphobia is a behaviour disorder. You have learnt to be this way, now it's time to learn a different and more comfortable way of living.
Good luck and I wish you well.
Feel the fear and do it anyway - Susan Jeffers.
Posted by nolvas on June 29, 2008, at 19:45:35
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by nolvas on June 29, 2008, at 19:37:53
A small but important thing is this >
You will cure yourself, no one else will. Other people can support you and give your powerful techniques for coping, ultimately you will put these in to practice, face the fear and defeat it.
It's natural to seek a quick solution or hope that there's a solution in the form of a pill, there isn't. I hope I haven't seemed harsh, but it will save many many years of heartache if you get professional help and take things slowly and face the fear one step at a time.
Once you defeat a fear (phobia) you will feel more empowered than ever and you will feel fantastic, and that fear will seem like nothing. Imagine that feeling and keep it in mind, because phobias are very treatable and there is a lot of hope.
Posted by okydoky on June 30, 2008, at 12:09:14
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by nolvas on June 29, 2008, at 19:45:35
"I have experience with hypnotism and nlp in treating agoraphobia"Thanks for the input. What is "nlp
I don't know much about agoraphobia, but in writing this I just read the diagnostic manual. I certainly have "anticipatory anxiety"
When I was living at my family home again in my 20s (I am 49) I would walk the dog or go for a walk myself I always had my heart pumping quick and would walk in a kind of circle on the street behind my house so that if I chose to stop I could cut through a back yard and be home immediately. I never knew why this was. From the age of 15 I had anorexia and then bulimia accompanied by body dysmorphia and shame of my body. In the early years if I had even felt like I was "fat" I did not want anyone to see me or get dressed because my clothes were tight so I would not go out.
For many years I had no problems. I am a very social person and become very "vital" when I am around people.
I think this started again and got very bad when my "interstitial cystitis" became intolerable. It became very difficult for me to go out for any length of time because I had urinary frequency/urgency and would become very anxious and in pain. This is when I started not going out so much. But I was hiking with the Sierra club and once I got out I was fine. Getting out, like trying to break through a granite barrier I set up myself was difficult but once out I was fine as long as I had no bad frequency issues. For a couple of years a few friends would meet me close to my home to go hiking or sometimes when I was very bad food shopping and other essential stuff, and drive me or with me to the hike. I was fine that way.
When I am anticipating going out I never think these thoughts like I am too fat or that I might be terrified with anticipation that while I am out I will have a constant feeling of urgency, I just feel a general feeling of anxiety that stops me in my tracks. Sometimes when I have an explicit need to go out I try and run all my errands because I know if I don't they might not get done as once home I am highly unlikely to go out again. I don't work so most days I have no explicit reason to go out. To make matters even worse because my depression has gotten so bad my home now is a disaster area. I cannot invite people in. It is embarrassing. I have become isolated almost completely in this house.
I really miss being around people. I have completely isolated myself and sit here alone getting more depressed daily. I have never liked being alone. Even now I almost never turn the TV off to be alone with my thoughts. It hurts too much. I remember having so much fun hiking with different people or being at work, even when I was quite depressed when I was alone I would become very lively in a group. Always was that way. I guess I just don't get it.You spoke of facing my fears but I never feel like there is a particular fear going on. Just general anxiety pushing me to stay in. What I wrote were just educated guesses on my part as to why and how this all came about. Now reading this post I am remembering that I had problems with anxiety about going out much earlier in my life but always attributed it to depression. So except to just go and "do it" (which I cant seem to do most of the time) there does not seem to be anything to face. I did try for a couple of years having people meet me to go places and it worked but I never got to a place that was consistent where I could do it alone.
Well perhaps there might be some suggestions. It would be interesting/helpful to know how others have learned to change their behaviors and by changing the behavior does the fear dissipate?
oky
Posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 2:22:06
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by nolvas on June 29, 2008, at 19:37:53
Overuse of benzos led me into an agoraphobic state.
I couldn't say *what* it was that frightened me.
It just seemed that the more benzos I took (and I had my reasons) the worse I got, allowing for momentary relief.
The only thing that helped me was reducing the dose, which was unpleasant and took years.That said, for *me*, hypnotism could well be helpful, though I have never had it.
(At boarding school my brother went through the motions of hypnotising me to stop me being homesick. I was very young, maybe 11. Anyway I was so touched, I just didn't care about anything but this lovely yummy experience. But I suppose that is different.)
I think this because it is a socially sanctioned way of blurring ego boundaries, which suits someone like me.
Posted by okydoky on July 1, 2008, at 12:32:11
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 2:22:06
Why do you think overuse of benzos led you into an agoraphobic state? I could certainly make a case for overuse of them in the past few years. They do provide temporary partial relief of the agoraphobia. Have you been able to overcome the agoraphobia altogether?
If my doctor finds a hypnotist and I go I will try it. I have been hypnotized years ago and it was easy for me. Problem was I never remembered the session and felt as if I was being raped by the doctor. I ran out the third time and never turned around. I am looking to see a woman this time.As far as blurring the ego, perhaps my low self esteem is what makes me a good candidate for hypnotism?
oky
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2008, at 12:38:55
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 2:22:06
Sigi you got it from benzos? I started them to eliminate it and now all these years later they don't work. Why? Love PJ
Posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 16:02:13
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia » Sigismund, posted by okydoky on July 1, 2008, at 12:32:11
>Why do you think overuse of benzos led you into an agoraphobic state?
I think that is something that benzo overuse does to some people.
I have no idea why really.
When the cure aggravates the disease we have a problem.
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2008, at 19:51:34
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia, posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 16:02:13
Sigi do you find that they now do nothing at the same doses that used to relieve anxiety? Love PJ
Posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 20:43:18
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia » Sigismund, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2008, at 19:51:34
>Sigi do you find that they now do nothing at the same doses that used to relieve anxiety?
After I take my 2.5mg I feel it come on (which is nice in a very mild sort of way) and within half an hour I have forgotten about it.
So it's doing something. It's probably no good and all that, but 2.5mg bd is the least I need to get by.
I'm not even terribly anxious, except when I get disoriented in social situations.
Posted by okydoky on July 1, 2008, at 21:31:04
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia » Phillipa, posted by Sigismund on July 1, 2008, at 20:43:18
2.5mg of what benzo?
oky
Posted by Sigismund on July 2, 2008, at 15:34:11
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia » Sigismund, posted by okydoky on July 1, 2008, at 21:31:04
2.5mg of Valium, twice per day, sometimes thrice.
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2008, at 19:22:25
In reply to Re: Hypnotism for Agoraphobia » okydoky, posted by Sigismund on July 2, 2008, at 15:34:11
Sigi love the little subtle changes in Australian language like the thrice. But twice a day is BID bet you forgot the I. Love PJ
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