On other occasions, as we have all experienced, our anxiety can overwhelm us and interfere with our functioning. She told me how anxious she felt because she went to work despite her illness and made many serious mistakes. I did a simple hypnotic induction and told her there was a wise part of her that could help her out. Within a minute her whole face relaxed, her congestion eased and her breathing became easier. Like going to work even though I'm sick.
Medical problems are very responsive to hypnotic work.
Joseph came into session anxious about next week's operation on his knee that he feared would maim him for life, even though doctors had reassured him that he would be all right. Rachel had to have an operation for cancer that she wanted to put off because she was so afraid. In both instances I taught them exercises to lessen their anxiety and manage pain to the point that both reported it had been less frightening an experience than they had expected. Rachel continued the hypnotic work to deal with the impact of the cancer, making many changes in her life she would not have found the strength or impetus for before, she said. I practice self-hypnosis almost every day and pass this skill on to most of my patients.