Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety and Phobias
Discuss the relationship between stress, anxiety, habits and phobias and describe how you would treat these issues with hypnotherapy
In order to understand the relationship between stress, anxiety, habits and phobias, it is necessary to first define what each one is and how it might affect individuals. Stress could be defined as a normal physiological response by the body to situations or stimuli which the brain perceives as dangerous or threatening to the body. The body is a complex system and over time developed a way of responding that was designed to keep us safe. Our subconscious mind is alert for anything that might threaten our well being and when the brain perceives a threat a physiological response occurs that prepares us to either fight or run. This response is caused by a release of adrenocorticotrophic releasing hormone being released from the hypothalamus which then stimulates the pituitary gland to secret the adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This is turn then stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. The release of these hormones cause a number of changes in the body to prepare for us to either fight whatever is threatening us or flight , ie run away to safety. The heart starts beating faster to pump oxygenated blood round the body faster to all the muscles. The blood pressure rises to assist in the movement of blood. Blood is diverted from less vital organs, such as the stomach, and the respiratory rate increases to get more oxygen into the body. Our senses also become more acute. For example, pupils dilate to allow in more light and hearing becomes more sensitive. Once these and other changes have taken place, the body is then ready to tackle the threat. Our ancestors faced stressful situations frequently and were required to fight or run to stay alive. In current times, we may not have to fight or run to be safe, but our brains still respond to perceived threats in the same way. We all suffer from stress at some
In order to understand the relationship between stress, anxiety, habits and phobias, it is necessary to first define what each one is and how it might affect individuals. Stress could be defined as a normal physiological response by the body to situations or stimuli which the brain perceives as dangerous or threatening to the body. The body is a complex system and over time developed a way of responding that was designed to keep us safe. Our subconscious mind is alert for anything that might threaten our well being and when the brain perceives a threat a physiological response occurs that prepares us to either fight or run. This response is caused by a release of adrenocorticotrophic releasing hormone being released from the hypothalamus which then stimulates the pituitary gland to secret the adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This is turn then stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. The release of these hormones cause a number of changes in the body to prepare for us to either fight whatever is threatening us or flight , ie run away to safety. The heart starts beating faster to pump oxygenated blood round the body faster to all the muscles. The blood pressure rises to assist in the movement of blood. Blood is diverted from less vital organs, such as the stomach, and the respiratory rate increases to get more oxygen into the body. Our senses also become more acute. For example, pupils dilate to allow in more light and hearing becomes more sensitive. Once these and other changes have taken place, the body is then ready to tackle the threat. Our ancestors faced stressful situations frequently and were required to fight or run to stay alive. In current times, we may not have to fight or run to be safe, but our brains still respond to perceived threats in the same way. We all suffer from stress at some
References: and Bibliography Hypnosis for change Hadley and Staudacher 1996 Online American Heritage Dictionary The Hypnotherapy Society Code of Ethics Chrysalis Course Module 5 Overcoming Addiction Corinne Sweet 1994 The Mindful Way through Depression Williams, Teasdale,Segal and Kabat-Zinn 2007