In today's digital age, mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. These devices offer convenience and connectivity, but they also present an insidious challenge in the form of addiction. Nomophobia, the fear of being without a mobile phone and the problematic use of smartphones are now common challenges affecting many people, especially the young.
Access to instant information holds a giddy allure. It is hard to miss the growing trend to engage with the world digitally, a behaviour that is now socially acceptable at any time and in nearly any situation. It is this need for instant gratification that can give way to compulsive and intrusive phone use.
Scrolling endlessly leads to an information overload which can cause sleep disturbances and affect academic or work performance. ‘Doomscrolling’ (seeking out depressing or negative content) may lead to negative introversion and low mood. This prolonged exposure to screen time is associated with deteriorating mental health, anxiety, depression, and even reports of poor physical wellbeing.
Turning The Tide
Addressing mobile phone addiction requires a multifaceted approach. Clinical hypnotherapy is often included as a technique to break habitual patterns and to help rebuild the emotional confidence to engage socially again. Just going into the state of hypnosis can bring instant benefits. Therapists use hypnosis to metabolise unwanted stress and establish experiences that are both emotionally and physically relaxing.
Clinical hypnotherapists include therapeutic suggestions designed to activate positive emotions which help to re-establish associations or memories of previous successful outcomes. The overall experience motivates the client encouraging them to modify their behaviours.
It is an exciting therapy and clients describe it as kind and powerful. Current research also confirms a role for clinical hypnotherapy either on its own or when combined with other treatments.
Re-wiring The Brain
People with addictive illnesses often have underlying emotional challenges. In young people, these stem from boredom, stress, social pressure, or the need for validation. Clinical hypnotherapy helps the client to reconnect with their sense of purpose or self. This restores feelings of confidence and safety and people commonly associate clinical hypnosis with the re-awakening of a natural sense of optimism.
The treatment also utilises imagery and emotion to stimulate the growth of new neural pathways. This helps to rewire or retrain the brain responses, allowing healthier behaviours and thought responses to develop.
Reclaiming Confidence
Mobile phones are often a source of escapism from everyday challenges. Clinical hypnotherapy helps to reduce unwanted stress and anxiety helping the client see things in a clearer perspective. Many therapists teach their clients how to extend this sense of personal control into their daily lives through a technique called self-hypnosis. It also offers a powerful antidote for the disrupted sleep patterns.
Power Of The Mind
Clinical hypnotherapy helps people to connect with their unconscious mind. This part of the psyche holds tremendous healing potential. Clients describe the experience as finding a space within themselves without judgment. They feel free or safe to express themselves and to connect to a source of energy that can help them grow or develop new habits and routines. The healing characteristics of the inner or unconscious mind are far-reaching and often touch the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of the client.
Young people often emerge from these sessions feeling reassured about themselves and their place in the world. Just a few sessions can provide a vivid and inspiring experience that helps them break free from the grip of mobile phone addiction and improve their overall well-being and mental health.
Making A Difference
Sadly no single treatment holds all the answers. People with addictive illnesses require multi-faceted support, which is most easily achieved when a team of experts, community and family are involved. However, the role of clinical hypnotherapy is increasingly seen as an integral part of recovery and clients often request that clinical hypnosis be included in their treatment plan making it a popular choice in many practices.
One reason is that clinical hypnosis connects the client to the holistic resource of the unconscious mind. Another is that a skilled therapist can use language and emotions in profound healing ways. It is a powerful and kind therapeutic process and one that should be available for all clients and people in emotional pain.
The LCCH Addictive Behaviour and Psychological Pain Course is designed for clinical hypnotherapists who are expanding their practice to help people with addictive illnesses and the psychological pain that often underlies these behaviours.
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