Has anyone had Hypnotherapy?

[Scaramouche]

I have a severe phobia of needles (and spiders, but zoo’s do courses for that so I’ll get there one day! ) and I don’t mean I’m just a bit of a wimp.

I freak out, I’ve had 3 fillings now at the dentist without anaesthetic, I have to use the numbing cream in order to have a blood test, I can’t go on my own and I’ve avoided having most blood tests and risked my health because of it.

Obviously we are now faced with the covid vaccine, which I very much want - but I want it without the act of a vaccine at the moment! Let alone twice!

I’m not scared of blood, or what’s in a vaccine, or worried it’s not safe. It’s the act of something going in the skin I think. I’m also hoping in the next couple of years we will be in a position to start trying for a family, so they’ll be needles involved in that, and I want to travel all over, but at the moment I’m considering risking it and not having any vaccinations, or not travelling!

So, has anyone had hypno for a fear? Did it help? Mums offered to pay as she’s realised how bad it is now and of course it wouldn’t be for a couple of months anyway until after lockdowns etc, but is it worth it? Or is it all fake and a waste of money?

[Orlando 2004]

I'm interested in this too as my 15 year old has an awful needle phobia. I finally managed to get her to have a blood test in April during covid but it took 2 visits in 1 day and even then I had to hold her and try to distract her with videos on my phone. Her last injection that should have been at school i also had to specially arrange for her to have at the doctors. I'm worried about the impact this could all have on her in the future. I can't see how she could go on to have children with her current phobia and have no idea how she would cope if she was ill and needed any treatment.
We didn't bother with the numbing cream as she knows it doesn't hurt once it happens. It's just the actual thought of the needle that seems to scare her.

[Sew109]

I have had hypnotherapy three times firstly 25+ years ago for a fear of flying two sessions never had an issue since

5 years ago I was putting on the pounds and had chocolate and crisps removed from my diet worked instantly for about a year.

Last time I did not realise that my head was broken by loss of business fear of no earnings etc and lockdown had three sessions much better.

Working in a single phobia generally is easier than multiple so should work well just don’t go to a cheap one, my last one was £70per hour and the one before £350 for three sessions

Some hypnotist can do it via zoom the one who did my chocolate and crisps does and he does not put you in a trace either you are wide awake and properly conscious.

It’s also an amazing feeling

[Beth_Disney]

I didn’t see a hypnotherapist but I did see a health psychologist for my needle phobia. She was amazing. I don’t like going for a blood test now but I do it and use the techniques and strategies she taught me in the 3 sessions I had with her. I was referred via my rheumatology consultant as my reluctance to go to regular blood tests was reducing the treatment options available.

[Scaramouche]

Thanks; I’ll look into it then. I need to be able to get to a point where I can have it done without shaking, crying and getting into an absolute state!

[kempydee]

My teenage son has just had 4 sessions of hypnotherapy. Not for a phobia but for OCD type behaviour and anxiety.
Not cheap - £70 per hour but it has done wonders.
He has also been given a CD of the hypnotherapist to listen to if ever he feels his anxiety rising.
He had it face to face with her rather than zoom.

My husband has also had a few sessions a few years ago and he was impressed with the results. He hasn’t had to return for treatment and still listens to his recording every so often.

Just do your research- my son’s hypnotherapist specialised in working with children and had a psychology background.
You usually get the initial assessment free.

[Floridatilly]

My daughter has had CBT for her needle phobia. She can just about bare to look at her insulin needles now which are only 4mm but she still faints and then vomits and then crashes into a hypo every time she has her yearly bloods and then in winter with her flu jab.
My youngest had a bad experience last summer so now he is beyond hysterical when he needs bloods taken. Kicking, screaming, sweating, being sick. He soon needs to have weekly blood tests and I really don’t know what we will do. I feel sick with worry about it. There is no time for hypnotherapy but will follow this thread for any other ideas 👍🏻

[kempydee]

Floridatily - My son is 13 and had CBT which didn’t make a huge difference. He showed improvement after just 1 session of hypnotherapy.

Not sure how old your son is. But there might be time in between your sons blood tests to have a session?
I was quite sceptical about hypnotherapy on children. after doing research children’s brains are still developing and are apparently a lot easier to work with to change their thoughts & feelings to positive.
After a session the therapist asked for my son not to discuss the session for a least 48hrs to let the work she had done “settle in” as she called it.

Good luck.

[Pookie3101]

I had hypnotherapy for an anxiety related issue that caused me problems with eating. I could only eat whilst walking round the house and it took me over an hour to eat even a small meal. I am someone who loves food and caused me so much distress.

Within 2 days of first session I started improving and by the 3rd session I was eating normally again

It’s worth a try if nothing else is working.

[Floridatilly]

Originally Posted by kempydee

Floridatily - My son is 13 and had CBT which didn’t make a huge difference. He showed improvement after just 1 session of hypnotherapy.

Not sure how old your son is. But there might be time in between your sons blood tests to have a session?
I was quite sceptical about hypnotherapy on children. after doing research children’s brains are still developing and are apparently a lot easier to work with to change their thoughts & feelings to positive.
After a session the therapist asked for my son not to discuss the session for a least 48hrs to let the work she had done “settle in” as she called it.

Good luck.

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He is only 7 and medically shielding at the moment so I don’t know how he could see one. I am hoping the hospital do a better approach next time rather than 4 nurses pinning him and forcing the issue 😟
I will definitely look into this for my 17 year old daughter though x