Hypnosis for Social Anxiety: Does It Work?

You walk into a social gathering and feel your heart pound, palms sweat, and a wave of dread wash over you… You scan the room, searching for a friendly face, but all you feel is an intense fear of judgment.

For many people dealing with social anxiety disorder, this is more than just nerves—it’s a constant fear that makes daily activities and social interactions feel impossible. You may have tried several ways to overcome your anxiety from positive affirmations to relaxation techniques but to no avail.

But what if there was an alternative approach that worked with your subconscious mind to help you regain control and confidence? 

This is where hypnosis for social anxiety comes in!

Let’s dive into what it is, and how it works, so you can go back to living your best life without the dread of social anxiety.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety is a common mental health issue where people feel a constant fear of social situations.

An estimated everyday activities had social anxiety in the past year, while 12.1% experienced social anxiety at some time in their lives.

Unlike normal shyness, it can be so intense that everyday social activities are difficult. The fear of being judged or embarrassed often causes people to avoid social events and isolate themselves, affecting their or your well-being and quality of life.

Social anxiety signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety go beyond simple nervousness. You may experience intense fear before, during, or after social interactions.

Physical Symptoms Include:

• A racing heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling flushed
• Avoidance
• Avoiding eye contact
• Speaking very softly
• Having trouble speaking altogether

Emotional Symptoms Include:

• Constant worry about upcoming social events
• Overthinking past conversations
• Fearing embarrassment or rejection

Social anxiety varies from person to person…

But it often leads to a cycle of anxiety where avoidance only reinforces the fear. This leads to avoiding common situations, such as:

• Public speaking
• Meeting new people
• Attending social gatherings

Over time, these behaviors can impact daily life, making simple social interactions feel impossible and contributing to isolation and low self-esteem.

Social Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Social anxiety and panic attacks are closely connected but differ in intensity and how they manifest. Social anxiety involves a constant, underlying fear of social situations and interactions. 

When someone with social anxiety faces a stressful situation, it sometimes triggers a panic attack.

A panic attack is a sudden, intense wave of fear or discomfort that feels overwhelming and out of control. It often comes with physical symptoms like

• Chest pain
• Pounding heart
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea.

People may feel detached from reality or fear that something terrible is about to happen. 

These episodes can be frightening and often leave the person exhausted and worried about experiencing another one. The anticipation of having a panic attack makes social anxiety worse, leading to more avoidance of social situations.

Does Hypnosis Work for Social Anxiety?

Hypnosis works by tapping into the subconscious mind, where deep-rooted beliefs and automatic behaviors are stored. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily engages the conscious mind, hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and focused attention.

(it basically gets deep into your mind, where all your fears and deep thoughts live.)

This allows a qualified hypnotherapist to reframe negative thought patterns that fuel social anxiety.

What Happens During a Hypnosis Session?

Let’s break down what happens during a session.

You first come into a calm and comfortable environment and we start with a guided relaxation. This will help you reach a state of deep relaxation and focus – which is ideal for accessing your subconscious.

After that, we’ll proceed to some of these techniques:

• Positive voice suggestions
• Detailed visualizations
• Calming affirmations

We may guide you through mental exercises to reframe your negative thoughts…

…and replace them with positive ones.

During the session, you remain aware and in full control. Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is NOT about being unconscious or under someone’s control.

Each session typically ends with a gradual return to full awareness, leaving you feeling relaxed and often more positive about facing social situations. Repeated sessions help with reinforcing these new, positive mental patterns – leading to lasting changes in how you perceive and react to social interactions.

Hypnotherapy Techniques for Social Anxiety

Some common techniques used during hypnosis for anxiety include:

• Age Regression: Revisiting past experiences to identify the root cause of social fear.
• Positive Suggestions: Using calming techniques and positive reinforcement to build social confidence.
• Visual Imagery: Creating mental images of successful social interactions to condition the mind for future situations.

What Does the Research Say?

Hypnosis has been used for many years, and now modern psychotherapy sees it as an effective treatment option for social anxiety. Clinical and cognitive hypnotherapy reduces anxiety symptoms by helping people understand their triggers better and create healthier thought patterns.

Social Anxiety Reduction

A meta-analysis on the efficacy of hypnosis for treating social anxiety indicated that the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety more than about 79% of the control group.

Controlling Intensity & Long Term Effects

A 2021 case report found that the patient reported an approximately 70% recovery immediately after his first session in terms of building confidence. The intensity of social anxiety was controlled in a short time, and he reported no episode after his first session.

Changes in Brain

In another study, researchers scanned the brains of 57 people while they were under hypnosis. 

They found changes in parts of the brain that helped improve emotional control and reduce feelings of self-consciousness.

5 Benefits of Using Hypnosis for Social Anxiety

Hypnosis provides numerous benefits for those looking to manage their social anxiety. They include:

1. Enhanced Relaxation and Reduced Stress: Regular practice of hypnotherapy can lead to improved relaxation and reduced symptoms of anxiety.
2. Improved Social Confidence: Positive suggestions and deeper levels of mental conditioning can help you approach social situations with newfound confidence.
3. Better Coping Strategies: Hypnosis can equip you with effective coping strategies for managing anxiety during social interactions such as learning to stay calm and centered and reducing your fear of judgment.
4. Increased Self-Awareness: Hypnotherapy encourages you to explore their thoughts and feelings, leading to greater self-awareness. This deeper understanding of your anxiety triggers helps you make informed choices and change negative thought patterns.
5. Long-Term Changes: Unlike some short-term solutions, hypnosis can create lasting changes by addressing anxiety at the subconscious level.

Is Hypnosis Safe for Treating Social Anxiety?

Yes, hypnosis is a safe option when done by a qualified hypnotherapist.

Common myths about losing control or being manipulated during a hypnosis session are unfounded, as you maintain awareness and control throughout the process. However, it’s important to consult with a mental health professional before starting any new treatment.

This is especially true if you have severe anxiety or other mental health conditions.

Hypnosis vs. Other Treatments for Social Anxiety

Hypnosis complements or even enhances traditional therapies:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): While CBT focuses on changing conscious behaviors, hypnosis works on the subconscious mind, making it an effective approach when combined with CBT.
• Medication: Hypnosis can be used alongside medication to help lower anxiety levels and promote better mental health management.

Get Started With a Qualified Hypnotherapist for Social Anxiety

Hypnosis works by addressing deep-rooted beliefs in your subconscious that fuel your social anxiety. If you want to get rid of your social anxiety fast, working with a hypnotherapist can make a difference.

And that’s what we are ready to help you with!

start your journey towards claiming your life from anxiety. We’ll assess your situation, and provide you with the next steps to get started. Whether you want physical sessions, or online hypnosis sessions at Northern Utah Hypnotic Center, we can give you the tools to start feeling like yourself again.

Schedule your 15-minute initial consultation right away and beat anxiety now.

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