Compulsions Hypnotherapy

Compulsive behaviours and disorders are often linked with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – a diagnosis widely used by mental health professionals. However, in the International Association of Evidence Based Psychotherapy, we find it more helpful to separate compulsive and obsessive behaviours, as they impact on people’s lives in different ways.

Woman eating chocolate hearts uid 1270643

Usually, a compulsive behaviour is undertaken on impulse, with little thought, or with a feeling of having been “driven” to do it. Instant relief is felt, once it has been done. There may be a feeling of shame or guilt afterwards, with immediate gratification at the time.

For people with obsessive thoughts and behaviour, the sense of relief is often never experienced. The sufferer is more likely to focus on the issue at hand, becoming excessively preoccupied by it. They can become involved in carrying out repetitive cycles of behaviour.

The activities provide little or no relief. Some people have to carry out additional activities to alleviate their fears that something bad will happen if they don’t.

Different compulsive behaviours

There are different types of compulsive behaviour, ranging from everyday activities, such as shopping, to reckless behaviour, including self-harming.

Hypnosis and Cognitive Processing and Integration Therapy can help alleviate many of the more common compulsive behaviours. These can include excessive drinking, excessive shopping and harmful addictive behaviours, such as abusing drugs, alcohol and other substances.

It can also help with gambling, sexual behaviour, lying, cheating, self-harming, nail-biting and hair-pulling, known as trichotillomania.

If we haven’t identified your particular issue, please don’t be deterred, as compulsive disorders and behaviours are extremely varied. They can be specific to the individual and it is impossible to list them all here.

It’s important to realise that the underlying reason for the behaviour is significant and that is what we treat with hypnotherapy, not the behaviour itself.

How Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy can help

People with compulsive behaviours and disorders commonly feel a little out of control and driven by factors they don’t understand. They may feel guilty or ashamed about their compulsive behaviour and as a result, won’t seek help. Feelings of guilt or shame should NEVER stop you from asking for help.

Contact JTR Hypnotherapy

I will provide an initial consultation to determine which therapeutic intervention could be most beneficial for you.

If you have any queries, or you wish to arrange an initial consultation at my clinic, drop me an email or complete the online enquiry form.