Overcoming Shyness and Social Anxiety

Some people experience difficulty starting conversations with others, especially when they are strangers. This is not a result of not being interested, interesting or of not having anything to say but it is the result of being scared of rejection.

The degrees of social anxiety vary from person to person. Some people find it hard to talk to people in public while they may be ok one on one. Others find it impossible to do everything when others are around.

Whether you are naturally less trusting of others and have experienced this problem all your life or you only have this problem in specific situations, hypnotherapy can help uncover the cause of this difficulty and clear any subconscious imprinting that may have made a natural predisposition even worse.

When social fear is left untreated it can lead to more serious problems, such as social isolation and eventually, depression or addictions (to relieve the pain of isolation or to numb the fear of rejection). A sense of belonging and personal intimacy are basic needs - just like food and drink - and we all require them to be fulfilled if we are to be happy.

Can Hypnotherapy help with Social Anxiety and Shyness?

Yes it can. First of all it is important for you to talk in depth about your concerns and specific situation with the hypnotherapist, before any treatment is entered into. Afterwards, when it has become clear what form of anxiety you suffer from the hypnotherapist will use hypnosis to find out what the cause of the anxiety is.

Once the cause has been identified and the feelings associated with the triggering event/s have been released, the situation can be reframed and new behaviour can be learnt. This is because when underlying issues that cause social fear are dealt with it is easier to learn new ways of dealing with the fear itself.

Often self hypnosis will be introduced at this point, together with some simple yet effective breathing techniques that will help you remain calm in situations which you previously experienced as threatening. In addition to that it is likely that the hypnotherapist will guide you through future progressions rehearsals where you will learn how to create what you want rather than what you don't want so that you can explore more positive ways of relating to people.

If then you feel you want additional help you may get involved with psychotherapists that practice social cognitive  restructuring, social skills training, symptoms management skills and supportive counselling, which will also require your friends and family getting involved.

Whether you decide to go that way or you find hypnotherapy is enough you'll have to  start putting into practice what you've learnt by meeting people and observing how well you can now relate to them. You might need more reinforcement sessions and practice self hypnosis a bit more , but remember that this is a process and it will take the time it takes.

Everybody is different, and while hypnotherapy is one of the most effective techniques there are that can help you get a kickstart, it is you, ultimately that need to put the effort in and push yourself beyond your comfort zone from time to time.

Remember: nothing of great value is ever achieved without great effort, but the effort is well worth the final result : a sense of personal satisfaction, a capacity to create intimacy, new found confidence and a much bigger horizon of possibilities opening up!

There is no better time than now to make that first step. Find out more how to help yourself overcome anxiety now with some useful tips or  get in contact with me if you'd like to discuss your issues in more detail or if you wish to make an appointment to tackle your social anxiety once and for all...