Our Clinical Hypnotherapist, Zofie, writes:
As a Clinical Hypnotherapist I have worked with clients with sleep problems. These have ranged from not being able to get to sleep, to those who have the ability to fall asleep but then wake during the night and those suffering from terrifying nightmares. A number of clients have suffered for years and arrive with little hope that I can help. As such it is often quite difficult to persuade people that insomnia and poor sleep patterns can be helped in a matter of days or weeks.
Firstly, I ask all sorts of questions relating to the sufferer’s lifestyle and daily schedule as well as probing into their stress levels and stressors. In my experience, what the client is doing is to keep the problem going which becomes apparent very quickly. Sometimes a particular event can trigger the sleep problem and the event may be subsequently dealt with, unfortunately by this time the sufferer has got into the habit of not sleeping or not sleeping well. When facing this challenge the habit can be hard to shift.
For others there doesn’t appear to be a trigger although it can be set off by rising stress levels.
In either event, help in managing stress levels backed up by suggestion work and guidance to help break old habits these longstanding problems can be shifted.
For many individuals it seems like they are stuck in a difficult vicious cycle which can seem almost impossible to break without help; the fear of not sleeping ultimately leads to certain rituals or habits being formed which further serve to strengthen the fear and as a consequence, the problem.
Many sufferers will relate to the idea of the law of revered effect which states: “the harder you try the harder it becomes” and this is especially true for sleep! But it can be hard to stop trying when it has become habitual which is where intense relaxation and confidence building can help.
Hypnotherapy can help you to bridge the gap between the fear of not sleeping and breaking the mould thereby creating new and healthy sleep habits. And, if you would like help and advice on how to deal with a sleep disorder or anything similar please get in touch. I can be contacted on 0117 922 1542 and 07966 094 979.
Zofie
Clinical Hypnotherapist
DHP.HPD.MAPHP.MNCH
CBT Trained
Tags: clinical hypnotherapist, insomnia, sleep problems, trigger, Zofie