Anxiety Control Center

I have been getting a number of questions and I thank all of you who have sent them in.  In the next few posts I’ll give some tips or exercises as I answer the questions I’ve received.  Please keep the questions coming, see the end of this post for directions:

Question:  “It seems that you believe you only can reduce stress by going to the unconscious part of the mind. Is there anyway I can reduce stress without doing self-hypnosis or trance?

Answer Part 1: Yes,  I do believe that using a trance state to reprogram unconscious patterns is the most effective and lasting way to change unwanted habits and limits.  Yet, you are correct that is important to use all the parts of the mind.  Many times I incorporate cognitive and behavioral skills usually used on the conscious level into hypnotic exercises.

To answer your question yes there are many exercises I teach that help to bring down stress. These can be done without going into a trance state.  Let’s start by talking about the stress reaction itself and then tomorrow I’ll post an exercise you can practice.

1. Stress reactions do not come out of the blue, even when it feels like they do. For many people it is the feeling of being out of control that increases the stress.

2. So the first step is to remind yourself, that whenever you feel stressed,  there is a trigger.  It might be so tiny it just flits through your mind, but it is there.

3. As you begin to take a moment to recognize that the stress reaction is always in response to a stimulus, you might find can be helpful to change your reaction from “why is this happening” to the question “what is this about.

4. By changing the question from “why” to “what” makes a big difference.  The why question usually leads to self blame.  The “what is this about” question leads to curiosity.  Being curious put you back into a healthy state of mind for new learnings.

If you look at the right side of this screen you’ll see a page called worry busters, these are also skills that can be used in the “conscious” state of mind, no trance necessary.

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2 powerful mind calming exercises.

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We are asking for your help
If you have anxiety, panic, feel stuck or procrastinate, please send us
the single most important question you would like answered.

Every one benefits from the questions you send a question

* By sending in your question you are taking a physical action.

* Taking action is the first step to making a change.

* Your questions  help us to develop programs that are targeted to your needs.

* Questions help others who may not have the courage to ask, or think they are all alone.

To get you started with your question think about this:  If you had access to an expert on reprogramming the mind to get relief from panic, fear or feeling stuck -  what question would you want answered?

Take action and send in your question now.  Just go the contact Audrey tab at the right side of this page, it will take you to Audrey’s personal email address.  Once at the email, you just write in your question and your name and email, and hit send.  To show our appreciation for your questions you will be invited as our guest to the next tele-seminar given my one of the staff of the Anxiety Control Center.

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(continued from this morning’s post ( 3 )

Remember that each of us processes information in a different way. The 3 types of processing are visual, auditory and kinesthetic.   To find out your “lead system” do this simple exercise.  Imagine an apple.  Do this before reading the rest of the instructions. Now that you’ve thought of an apple.  Here is how you know what your lead or preferred system of processing is.

If you are “talking to yourself” about what type of apple you are supposed to be thinking about, you just might be an auditory, because you are hearing yourself speak about the apple in your head.  An auditory person might be thinking about the crunching sound as a bite is taken.

If you see a red or green apple in your mind’s eye, or if you can say if it is a large or small apple, then you are probably a visual.  Because you are seeing it “in your mind’s eye”.

For a person who is kinesthetic you might tell me that it’s a cold apple, or that its a large heavy own.   If you can imagine feeling the coolness before you even see it i”n your mind’s eye”, chances are you might process information in a kinesthetic. (feeling) way.

For a hypnotherapist knowing the lead system is important in helping a client easily to go into trance.  You would want to use words that follow the preferred system.  As a hypnotherapist we help people to learn to purposefully use all three Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic.  When you include all three in your work  you get a very powerful way of creating change.  Also if you know about these three type of ways of processing you can use it to create rapport in an instant.  But that is a whole other seminar.
to be continued tomorrow

Would you like to learn to use you mind to create calm
claim you copy of 2 powerful mind calming exercises.

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Click on the sign in tab.
Available for a LIMITED time

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Hypnosis Fact and Myth: Excerpts from a seminar given by Audrey Sussman PhD for new practitioners of hypnosis.

This morning we were discussing a common fear people have about hypnosis and going into trance.  Many people are afraid they will do something embarrassing.  I was telling the story about a woman I was talking to a lunch one day who had been in a stage hypnosis show.  She had a first commented that she felt compelled to follow suggestions.  So I asked her the question about what would have happened if the hypnotist had asked her to do something outrageous.   What I actually said was, “if he asked you to run around naked, would you have done that?”  As I suspected the woman replied, that she would never do that, as a matter of fact, she then remembered that she didn’t do a number of “stupid” things the stage hypnotist asked her to do.

This little story is a fun way to point out that under hypnosis, a person won’t do anything that is against their value system.  If on the other hand this woman valued running around naked, she might do what the hypnotist said and then later say but he made me do it.  In reality we won’t do what doesn’t fit with who we are.  I just use this little story to dispel the popular notion that a hypnotist can take control of someone. .  .

to be continued in tomorrow.

Start learning to use you mind to create calm
Go to the top right of this page and put in your name and email
Click on the sign in tab to claim you copy of
2 powerful mind calming exercises.
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Unhappy With Your Life? It Could Be Negative Mantras.

Dr. Audrey talks about Negative Mantras

Have you ever doubted yourself or been hesitant to speak out when others have ideas in conflict with yours? Have you ever procrastinated because you were afraid you just couldn’t do something perfect enough?  Have you ever wondered why people who are less talented, attractive or intelligent than you are seem to feel so much better about themselves than you do?

Many intelligent, creative and successful people harbor inner self doubt that would amaze anyone looking in from the outside. As a therapist, I see the pain that is caused when people beat themselves up mentally with negative self-talk. Some of the people who come to see me are already aware of the harmful messages they give themselves.  But others send themselves these messages unconsciously, replaying them over and over without even being aware of them. I call these harmful messages “negative mantras”.

For a long time, eastern religions have known the power of mantras. These are powerful phrases, repeated over and over, in order to bring about a positive spiritual change. And though you might not have such a fancy name for it, the chances are that you probably use mantras everyday.  Quite simply, mantras are the things we tell ourselves.  A mantra could be what you say to yourself to get psyched up for a big meeting.  Or what you tell yourself to stay positive when life is getting you down. When mantras are positive and constructive, they can help us enjoy our lives and achieve our goals.  But the negative things we tell ourselves can also act as mantras, and can have a profound effect on our lives.

Negatives mantras can cause you to feel responsibility and guilt for things that are not your fault, hamper your ability to get along in relationships, or cause you to doubt your own talents or abilities. These feelings can lead to over-eating, anxiety, procrastination, addiction and depression.  Negative mantras can keep you from achieving your goals and take the joy out of the things you love.

So what can you do if negative mantras are interfering in your life? Read the rest of this entry »

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Let’s begin by just talking about creating a hypnotic state of trance.  As we talk questions might come up, or you might already have some questions about what trance is and why you might want to use it.

The following are answers to some of the questions people have asked:

Question:  Can I talk while in a trance state?

Answer:  You can ask any questions, at any time even in the deepest hypnotic state. You can ask a question, ask for help or ask for clarification of something you need more information about.

Question:  Will I have to do everything the hypnotist says?

Answer:  Before you even go into a trance it’s important to understand that you will be in total control.  No one can make you do anything, suggestions you accept will only remain effective it they are in alignment with your values.  What I mean by this is that you can not be made to do anything that you would think was wrong or embarrassing.  You might be wondering why people do (embarrassing) things while in a trance during a stage hypnosis show, and I have a whole article about this, but suffice it to say for now, that people will only do things that fit with who they are.  An outgoing person is having fun, dancing around like a ballerina.

Question:  I’ve heard different ways of describing trance, which is correct?

Answer:  There are many words that are used to describe trance.  You might hear it referred to as an altered state, or a hypnotic state, or a relaxed state.  Some people use the words hypnosis or self-hypnosis to describe this inner focused state.

Question:  What can be done in trance that you can’t do in the normal waking state?  I’m wondering why is it important to learn to go into a hypnotic or trance state.

Answer:  There are so many great reasons to learn to create a hypnotic state of trance
a. In the hypnotic state you will find it becomes more easy to focus on what is important.

b. The most important answer that comes to my mind is that the trance state allows you to go to that place where your hidden potential is located.

1. Using an altered state is it gives you access to the unconscious part of your mind.
2. The unconscious is the part where repressed memories and emotions are held.  It is also the part that you can tap into to get important information and release stuck emotions and beliefs.

c. And the major reason that I feel learning to go into a trance state is important is that once you learn to go into this state you are accessing the part of your mind, that hold solutions which are not available in the ordinary “conscious” state of mind.  I have written a lot more about the conscious and unconscious state of mind in my books and articles.

d.  You can learn to use a light state of trance to get to the information held in your own unconscious mind.

Questions: I have been trying to stop procrastinating for years, can I use trance to change negative habits?

Answer: If you have had a certain pattern of behavior or thought that you have been trying to change, you’ll find it possible to get true, lasting change by going to the unconscious using a light trance state.

Answer:

1. For habits it is sometimes necessary to use my full Transformation System, which includes 2 different types of hypnosis as well as cognitive and behavioral techniques that are used while you are in the trance state.
2. You can start on your own, and see what happens.   Then you can add the help of someone trained in the Transformation System.  Even a light trance state can enable you to look at things that wouldn’t be easy to do in the non-trance state.

Question:  I like to feel in control and feel I’m strong willed, I’ve heard only a weak mind can be controlled with hypnosis, is that true?

Answer:

a. Actually, I have found that intelligence and creativity are a major asset in learning to do hypnosis and trance easily.

b.  It takes a lot of strength to allow someone to guide you and it is a gift to yourself to seek out someone you can trust to mentor you in this powerful way.

1. Not only are you in control in the hypnotic trance state but you can access parts of yourself that will delight and amaze you.
2. Hypnosis has nothing to do with will power.  Strong powerful people learn quickly to use the altered trance state.
   

Questions:  Are all hypnotists licensed?  What should I look for when interviewing a hypnotist?

Answer:

1. As of this writing there are no licenses for Hypnosis.  There are certifications that people can receive.
2. Questions to ask:  What is their health degree in?   How long have they been practicing?   What is their specialty?  Do they have testimonial letters or people you can contact for referrals?

Of course we hope that you choose to learn more about the therapists at the Anxiety Control Center and contact us for this guidance.  But no matter how you choose to start this journey, on your own, reading books or calling for guidance it can prove to b a powerful ally in your movement to the most powerful, calm, serene you.

So for right now, let’s do a simple beginning exercise.  You can read the exercise over or can record the exercise and listen to it as a guide into this beginning trance state.  Although this is a very simple beginning exercise, doing it can provide positive, and powerful benefits.  We will use the breath and color for this first experience.

When you see the three dots (. . .) that means take a pause.  This exercise will be posted next week.

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Stress, has reached new heights of usage in today’s vocabulary.  How many of us know how to cope with stress?  Since we cannot prevent stress from occurring.  Our new home study course will give you a step by step method to help you learn how to manage stress and even make it work for your benefit. Click here to send you name and email for a downloadable preview to this course.

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