Alexander's Wolves: How Hypnotherapy Can Help with Anxiety

Our fight-flight response can be triggered by threats that are both real and imagined - such is the power of our subconscious! We can learn to harness this power to gain control of our emotions and enjoy a life free from anxiety.

Let me share a short story with you, from a time I worked as a therapist in a secure psychiatric hospital:

It was ward round. The medical team greeted the patient, Alexander, as he came in and sat down. After a few pleasantries, the psychiatrist asked Alexander if he was still seeing wolves – a persistent delusion which was a symptom of his schizophrenia.

“Oh yes”, he said, pointing to the floor, “There’s one just there”.

Immediately and instinctively, all the professionals in the room lifted our feet off the ground, and we shrank back in our chairs! Such is the power of suggestion.

We all knew there was nothing there, and yet our subconscious prompted us to action. Our fight-flight response was triggered by the suggestion that there was a wild animal in the room.

What is the fight-or-flight response?

In order to ensure our survival in a dangerous world filled with predatory animals and spear-wielding cavemen, our brains evolved a system of rapid response to any perceived threat.

When this is triggered, our brain releases a cocktail of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. Our heart rate and breathing increase, to send oxygen to the muscles; there is a release of glucose into the muscles for a boost of energy; and the stomach will empty. And our brain will be urging us to run away. Fast.

This is why, when you feel scared or anxious, you experience symptoms such as a racing heart, tense muscles, breathlessness, jelly-legs, nausea, sweating, or trembling. You may feel the need to leave the situation or hide away.

This response is super quick. After all, we would not survive long if we stopped to consider whether that is actually a panther springing toward us, or just a shadow. The brain’s default position is ‘act first, ask questions later’.

Of course, we very rarely come across a wild animal in our day-to-day lives. Nevertheless, our fight-flight response can be triggered by any perceived threat, for example, a job interview, a near-miss while driving, or the thought of attending a party.

How does this link to anxiety?

For some people, particularly those under a lot of stress, the fight-or-flight response becomes over-sensitive and is triggered very frequently in response to everyday occurrences.

This can cause generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, or phobias.

Like a smoke alarm, we need the fight-flight response to keep us safe, but we don’t need it going off every time we turn the toaster on.

Anxiety symptoms in themselves, while deeply unpleasant, are not harmful. However, feeling frequently anxious can cause headaches, tiredness and irritability. You may feel restless or ‘on edge’, or maybe you struggle to concentrate.

For many people, an anxiety disorder can severely impact on their life. They may withdraw from certain activities or avoid public places, feel incapable of forming relationships, or even feel unable to leave the house.

Others may develop OCD, or be plagued by negative thoughts; suffer a loss of self-confidence; or have low self-esteem.

How can hypnotherapy help with anxiety?

When we first meet, I'll take time to understand your anxiety, what might be triggering it and how it affects your everyday life. This helps me tailor our sessions to your individual needs and the difficulties you're experiencing.

During hypnotherapy, I'll guide you into a comfortable state of deep relaxation, helping your mind and body begin to settle. This can feel very different from the heightened alertness of the fight-or-flight response and can be beneficial in itself.

Once you're feeling relaxed, we can begin to use visualisation and positive suggestions to help you develop different ways of responding to situations that trigger anxiety.

Remember those wolves? It was the suggestion of danger that influenced how we felt and behaved, even when there was no immediate threat. Hypnotherapy draws on your ability to respond to thoughts and suggestions, helping you explore more reassuring and helpful responses.

Over time, hypnotherapy may help you feel calmer, build confidence and develop a greater sense of control over your anxiety, making it easier to manage the challenges of everyday life.

Looking for support with anxiety?

If anxiety is affecting your work, sleep, relationships or everyday life, you don't have to manage it alone.

I offer psychotherapy, EMDR and hypnotherapy for anxiety and panic attacks, with face-to-face sessions in Finchley, North London, and online appointments.

Find out more about anxiety treatment and how I can help

This article was first published in Hypnotherapy Directory