Articles

A great number of folks around the world possess a fear thunderstorms, a widespread condition called brontophobia. For as long as this phobia has existed, people have been searching for ways to fight it. Today, there are a wide range of treatment choices available. To help vanquish this phobia, experts call for certain hypnosis techniques that are shown successful in alleviating common fears.

Brontophobia sufferers have an extreme fear of lightning and thunder. Loud, booming thunder and intense flashes of lightning can spark nervousness and panic attacks in brontophobia sufferers. Other signs include a racing heart, perspiring, and a strong feeling of fear, which increases until a person becomes ill.

The fear of thunderstorms develops early for lots of people, when as children, we cower under blankets during a bad storm. The phobia can be particularly difficult for small children. Many scared children feel helpless during bad weather, and their parents may also feel powerless to relieve their phobia.

Even in spite of its frequency in kids, the fear of storms can develop at any time in life, frequently after a person has an unpleasant experience such as getting an electric shock, which reminds them of a flash of lightning. A traumatic event such as living through a natural disaster may also cause a fear of thunder and lightning.

A person may come to link loud noises, the sensation of discomfort, or terror with storms, which may escalate into a phobia. This phobia is so widespread that it is even observed in many animals; for example, many pet owners notice that their pet cats seem frightened during thunderstorms.

Phobia sufferers try to avoid the sights and sounds of storms. They may suffer complete nervous breakdowns during disasters such as floods. This can be harmful to them if they are unable to function in a situation which calls for them to remain calm and respond rationally.

Phobia sufferers may come to hate storm season, often struggling in summer when storms occur frequently. They might obsessively check weather reports and act extra cautious during periods of inclement weather. To other people, these actions may seem extreme and paranoid. People afflicted with the phobia may find this condition gradually taking over their lives.

There are many options available for relieving brontophobia and other irrational fears. Popular ones include counseling, anti-anxiety medication, and hypnosis. Hypnotherapy tends to provide safer, quicker results and it is non-invasive, having no negative side effects. For these reasons, hypnosis is now a popular choice of treatment.

Hypnosis therapy is notable as a form of relaxation therapy and has traditionally been used for its calming properties. By beginning with stress-relief techniques, hypnosis helps tense, anxious individuals with phobias begin the process of overcoming their fears. When a person is feeling relaxed, it is easier for hypnosis techniques to guide the unconscious mind into a phobia-free thought process.

All phobias are linked to negative stimuli, which become connected to fear inside the unconscious mind. For brontophobia sufferers, the rumble of thunder, the blinding flash of lightning, or even the sight of clouds often provokes a deep fear. Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) work at the unconscious level of the mind to dissociate the feeling of fear from these triggers to deliver significant fear relief. One of the most successful techniques is named the NLP Visual/Kinesthetic Disassociation.

Ericksonian hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that is often used to treat fears. Named after its developer, Dr. Milton Erickson, MD, this type of hypnotherapy uses indirect suggestions embedded in conversation, metaphors, and stories to cure a phobia. Indirect suggestions work better than traditional direct suggestions because people tend to question, resist, and reject direct orders. Suggestions which are hidden from the conscious mind are more able to empower people to vanquish their phobias.

Ericksonian hypnosis and NLP techniques have another advantage over conventional hypnosis programs because they are formulated to treat any phobia. Thus, a single program is appropriate for curing any phobia, or even multiple phobias if required. Furthermore, each program utilizes a number of techniques to work for everybody.

For many, hypnosis therapy is an ideal choice of treatment, which offers rapid and permanent results. Hiding under the sheets and feeling frightened is not how a phobia sufferer should have to live. With hypnosis and NLP techniques, virtually anyone can vanquish this irrational phobia.

Alan B. Densky, CH has been curing irrational fears using NLP since 1978. He offers phobia treatment NLP & hypnosis MP3s plus a broad range of Hypnotherapy MP3 downloads for stress & depression related symptoms. Visit his website for free hypnotism downloads.