I’ve ‘suffered’ with claustrophobia for as long as I can remember. I would always try to avoid situations that brought on the symptoms. It started off with small gestures, such as getting out of the queue for a roller-coaster (because I hated being clamped down by the safety bar) and eventually progressed to avoiding any situation that was even remotely enclosed. I would always have to sit in the front seat of a car, stand at the back of the crowd at gigs and get out of elevators if there was anyone other than myself in them. I’ve walked up hundreds of flights of stairs while my wife and friends have been waiting for me at the top having taken the lift. My symptoms progressed further and further until I realised that something had to be done. I visited three separate doctors and explained that I’d been having panic attacks and that I needed some help. Needless to say, none of them were much help (in fact one actually laughed and told me that I needed to ‘toughen up’). I began to get used to the idea that I would never be able to rid myself of this burden, until one day at work somebody mentioned that they had undergone hypnotherapy to deal with their vertigo. I eventually stumbled across Pinner Hypnotherapy and booked a consultation. As soon as I met Anne I realised that there was nothing to be nervous about, and more importantly, that she knew exactly what she was talking about. We decided on the best course of action and booked 4 sessions in advance. At first I was a little apprehensive, but before long it became second nature and I would actually look forward to our weekly sessions. I was given work/exercises to do throughout the week, each one more eye opening and life changing than the last.
All in all, I think that going through the Thrive programme with Anne is one of the most important things I’ve done. It’s changed my life and given me the tools to deal with my claustrophobia….and life! I now get into lifts without hesitation and don’t even think about standing in crowds. I’ve also got a better understanding of how my head works. Since my sessions have finished, I’ve been trying to convince everyone that I know and love to work through the Thrive programme.
Anne is a lovely lady. She is very friendly and intelligent and made me feel comfortable during our sessions. She made all my options very clear and helped me all the way through. I’ll never regret going to Pinner Hypnotherapy and I’d urge anyone with a problem (no matter how big or small) to go and see Anne…she’ll sort you out!