I talk a lot about mental health in my posts but the problem doesn’t seem to get any better. I see so much success with my clients, but it is just a drop in the ocean. On this day, World Mental Health Day, I was kind enough to receive a blog from one of my clients, Daniel (name changed for anonymity). He was kind enough to share his experience with me.
In today's fast-paced world, many of us face constant pressure to meet the demands of work and maintain financial stability. For me, this pressure was starting to feel like a constant, suffocating weight, leading to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. My job was too stressful and taking up my whole life, leaving no time for my wife and two young children. This was putting pressure on my marriage and my wife and I were starting to argue. But I couldn’t quite my job because we needed the money and I couldn’t get another job because my confidence was shattered. I knew it was something common that more people are grappling with, yet it often remains shrouded in silence.
I was a keen cyclist and gym go-er but I had no time or motivation anymore. So my stress outlets were gone. I sank deep into depression and am ashamed to admit I thought about suicide once or twice, although I’m not sure I would have gone through with it. The only overwhelming feeling was one of guilt – guilt of not being an adequate employee, guilt of not being an adequate husband and most of all, guilt of not being an adequate father.
I didn’t know what else to do until one day I saw a Facebook advert for Amanda Graham, a clinical hypnotherapist near Thirsk. I had always thought that hypnotherapy was a bit spiritual and arty-farty, but at this point, I would give anything a try. She promised to reduce stress and anxiety and she could also boost self-confidence. I had nothing to lose at this point.
I gave her a call and felt immediately at ease. She was really reassuring on the phone, talked me through the whole process and promising me I would be in control at every step.
I made an appointment paying in advance and am ashamed to admit I bottled out first time and pretended I had a meeting overrun so cancelled on her last minute. She was very understanding, but I knew I had wasted her time because she told me she had prepared what she was going to say to me. I think she was probably used to this because she told me not to worry and to put in another appointment straight away.
When I got there, I felt immediately relaxed. Her office overlooks a weir and the rushing of the water is extremely calming.
The session was a bit of a blur and I don’t remember most of it, but it was incredibly relaxing. She got me to focus on my breathing and it went a bit like this:
"Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose… and exhale slowly through your mouth. Again, take another deep breath in, filling your lungs with calm, fresh air… and let it out, releasing any tension or stress you may be holding onto”.
I remember her asking me to focus my attention on the top of my head, imagining a soft, warm wave of relaxation beginning to spread from the crown of my head, gently flowing down my scalp, releasing any tightness or tension. I felt the muscles in my forehead soften, my eyes gently relax, and my jaw release all the tension. This flowed down into my neck, your shoulders, and into my arms.
My entire body became loose, heavy, and calm. She got me to imagine I was at the top of a cliff, walking down steps to a beautiful beach and there was definitely some counting involved as I got more relaxed and felt deeply at peace.
The next part was a complete blur, but she explained to me afterwards that she had taken me into my subconscious, the part of my brain that helped me to overcome challenges, the part of me that could handle anything that life brings. She got me to tell myself I was calm, I was in control, I could handle anything that life threw at me.
She reminded me my mental health is important, and I was allowed to take time for myself and if I didn’t take care of myself I couldn’t take care of others around me as well as some of the personal information I had given her and how to approach dealing with that.
After a while, she counted me out and I came back to awareness. It was one of the most relieving feelings I had ever had. I felt immediately clear-headed and confident and ready to face the rest of the day fully focussed.
Before the session finished, she encouraged me to breathe deeply whenever I felt stress and to try to take myself back to this moment.
It took a day or two to really take it all in, but then I immediately took control of my life. I realised my job was toxic and started putting out the feelers for applying for new ones.
I did go back for another two sessions just for reinforcement and a confidence boost. For one of them I had a job interview scheduled the next day – which I got!
Within a few weeks, I had my life back, a new work challenge with a better work-life balance and most importantly I got my family back. I did have to put some work in myself which I was prepared to do, but it was worth it. The best £65 I have spent in my life without a doubt.
I am so pleased I took the plunge to try hypnotherapy. And Amanda was absolutely amazing. She never once tried to force me into further sessions and just told me to come back if I wanted to. She changed my life at the most difficult of times and I will be forever grateful.
So my advice to anyone reading this is - if you are suffering from any of the following:
- Constant worry about money, work performance, or the future.
- Struggling with work-life balances.
- Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or a weakened immune system.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Feeling overwhelmed or trapped in a cycle of responsibilities.
- Withdrawing from social activities or relationships due to exhaustion or a lack of motivation.
Don’t hesitate for a second! Give Amanda a call. Take a look at her website first which explains the process, costs, how to book and the types of issues she can help with.
I understand that for many, admitting they are struggling feels like admitting failure. This stigma prevents people from seeking help, leading them to carry the weight of these issues alone. I almost took the wrong path, but made the best decision of my life.
I saw that Amanda had won an award last year for the ‘Best Health and Wellbeing Facility in North Yorkshire’. She is an amazing professional and fully deserves any accolades that come her way.
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