I Feel Fantastic After My Final Hypnotherapy Session
When I started hypnotherapy about five weeks ago, my therapist asked me questions about where I felt I was in my journey.
He asked me to rate my anxiety on a scale of 1-10, and I said 9. Candidly, it was more like 100,000. Multiple sclerosis was causing most of it.
When he asked about my self-esteem level, I said 3. I hadn’t felt that low in a long time.
Over the next five weeks, I explored a lot and learned so much about myself. I better understand how parts of the brain and thoughts work.
During these five weeks …
- I reached out to illustration agencies.
- I recognized my destructive thoughts. I learned why I had them and, after doing an exercise, removed them.
- I illustrated a cute coloring book that contains affirmations to help kids build self-esteem when they’re young.
- I had a nerve-wracking telehealth appointment with my neurologist.
- I visited the place where I grew up because my granddad is very sick. I hadn’t seen that side of the family in 12 years, so I was understandably nervous!
- I started working for my husband at his business.
- I started running again.
- I was recovering from an MS relapse.
- I was stressing over a form we have to fill out in the U.K., where I live, called a personal independence payment, or PIP, form.
- I changed my diet to better manage my symptoms and reached out to many people who had done the same.
My hypnotherapist and I talked through all of this each week, focusing on the good stuff. I don’t know how I would have managed otherwise.
During the last few sessions, I found myself thinking differently about how I reacted to situations. My hypnotherapist always asked me thought-provoking questions, such as, “Let’s say tomorrow you wake up, and everything is the way you want it. What would that look like? How would you act? What can you do to make that happen?”
Here’s the thing: There are two choices we can make when presented with a tough situation. We can either rise above it or let it pull us into a bottomless pit of fret, despair, and worry.
Now, my anxiety level is 1, and my self-esteem level is 9.
I went from being a terrified, insecure, anxious young woman to being a brave, self-assured, direct, and confident young woman who takes no bull****.
It’s been amazing to learn so much about myself and the power of hypnosis.
A huge thank you to my hypnotherapist. I’m so grateful to you. And thank you to my friend for recommending I give this therapy a try.
What has been your biggest takeaway from reading about my hypnotherapy journey? Please let me know in the comments below.
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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
Comments
JED
Thank you for sharing this. I had my diagnosis 23 years ago and kept pretty well for about 16 years. Over the last 7 or 8 years things have been tough on a personal level and this has had an impact on the MS. Reading of your experience was very helpful.
Jen C
Thanks, Jessie,
Your experience with hypnotherapy is greatly appreciated. I've thought of trying hypnotherapy several years back. But, I wasn't sure if it was something that I would benefit from.
It sounds like it only 5 weeks, you benefited immensely. I love that you share the improvements with anxiety, but also with your self-esteem. Despite not having the same RD, we share many commonalities.
Thank you! I enjoy your columns each time I have a chance to read them.