Phobias and Fears

Emetophobia Hypnotherapy

by Dan Regan | Apr 2, 2025 | Phobias and Fears

Emetophobia Hypnotherapy

Helping people through emetophobia hypnotherapy is perhaps more common than you may think. Many people struggle with a fear of vomiting, often hiding their anxiety and avoiding situations that may be challenging.

Emetophobia is a very common issue that I help people with. If you have a fear of vomiting then you may try to hide it from others. You avoid situations and people that you consider to be high risk. And the possibility of encountering vomit (in yourself or others) is constantly at the forefront of your awareness. It can dominate your daily life.

Often the anxiety has elements around the possibility of other people being sick. You may avoid social situations, crowded places or places where people drink. If someone says they feel sick or coughs and splutters then you are immediately on high alert. If you’ve seen vomit somewhere then you may totally avoid going to that place, and similar places, again. Things like travel are filled with risk and dread. And if someone has been unwell then you may avoid them way beyond when they have recovered.

You will also worry about being sick yourself. If you were to catch something then it would be catastrophic. You may avoid alcohol or certain ‘high risk’ foods. You may feel like you are on constant alert for how you feel. If you get a sensation in your stomach or at the back of your throat then you start to panic about whether this is it, this could be the time you actually vomit.

Of course, everyone has an association of unpleasantness around vomit and being sick. No one wants to be unwell or to be exposed to it.

Healthcare Anxiety

by Dan Regan | Mar 2, 2025 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks, Phobias and Fears

Healthcare Anxiety – Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket

Do you struggle with healthcare anxiety?

Healthcare anxiety can be a constant lingering worry that lurks at the back of your mind. You see things on TV and in the press about health issues. People tell you about their ailments and treatments. Maybe you even have something that you know you should probably get checked out but your anxiety holds you back and leaves you overthinking and worrying about it.

You’ve probably got used to avoiding going to the doctor or having any investigations or tests. Yet you know that in all likelihood, at some point in your life you are going to have to face it head on. Sooner or later, you know that you will need to get something looked at or have something done. Even the thought of it can be enough to raise your blood pressure and give you restless moments.

Medical procedures and appointments are a normal part of life. You may need to visit your GP for a check up, undergo a procedure at hospital or need an injection or blood test. You may be ok with some of these things yet there is some part of healthcare that fills you with immense dread, fear and worry.

With health anxiety, medically related things (sometimes even if for someone else rather than yourself) can fill you with anxiety, dread and fear. You try to avoid medical things. But at some point avoidance no longer becomes an option and you have to face it. That’s when you need to learn how to change your mindset, calm your anxiety, think clearly and change that old healthcare anxiety habit.

Fear of Being Sick – Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Feb 26, 2025 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks, Phobias and Fears

Fear of Being Sick – Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Do you struggle with a fear of being sick?

When someone comes to see me about their fear of sick, they are often surprised when I tell them how common a thing it is that I help people with. As with many fears, you can get good at avoiding situations associated with sickness and vomiting. And you can become an expert in keeping it under wraps no matter how anxious you are feeling.

If you struggle with a fear of being sick (emetophobia), then you can worry that you, yourself, will be sick and you can feel anxious that someone around you will vomit. You may hate any reference to feeling sick or being unwell and avoid anyone who has been unwell until you can be sure that the danger period is over. When you hear about sickness bugs going around you may feel tense and on edge and avoid even more people and situations.

The likelihood is that you don’t like to drink much alcohol because of the risk of being sick, and you may worry about social events with alcohol in case someone else vomits. Certain forms of travel associated with potential sickness, such as flying and boats, may be no-go areas. I’ve known clients who tell me that even their pet cat or dog being sick is enough to trigger the panic.

You may avoid certain ‘higher-risk’ foods or those linked in your mind to sickness in some way. A feeling in your stomach may be enough to convince you that you are definitely going to be sick this time (just as you were certain last time, when it didn’t happen). And even watching an actor on screen being unwell may be too much for you to cope with. The more people there are somewhere, especially if someone burps, coughs or splutters while eating, the higher the risk. And fairground rides that cause that wavey feeling in your belly are probably a no-go for you right now too.

Being sick is a normal human function (at the right time) and usually someone with emetophobia hasn’t actually vomited on many occasions. However, the fear is so great that it can stop you doing things you’d like to do and it can rule your life at times.

Fear of Birds Review – Hypnotherapy For Fears and Phobias

by Dan Regan | Feb 25, 2025 | Phobias and Fears

Fear of Birds Review – Hypnotherapy For Fears and Phobias

In this article, I’m sharing a fear of birds review video from one of my recent hypnotherapy clients.

Fears and phobias can be funny things. You know that your phobia is irrational yet you still get the same old fear, anxiety and panic about whatever it is. I’ve helped people with the more common fears and phobias, like flying, driving, needles, blood and injections. And phobias can attach themselves to any other manner of things, such as spiders, balloons, certain sounds, sickness, clowns and almost anything else you can think of.

Whatever your feared thing, you dread encountering it and you probably do all you can to avoid it. And if you can’t avoid it, you get out of there as quickly as you can because the panic and fear are so great. Your heart races, you feel tense, your breathing rate increases, and all you can do is fixate on the thing that your brain perceives as a threat. The fear quickly takes over your thoughts and feelings.

Recently, I was working with someone who struggled with a fear of birds and who couldn’t go anywhere near them. Now, she is getting on with life free of her old fear. You can watch her video review below.

Fear of Birds Hypnotherapy

by Dan Regan | Feb 17, 2025 | Phobias and Fears

Fear of Birds Hypnotherapy

Do you struggle with a fear of birds? If so, then of all of our feathered ‘friends’, pigeons are very likely to be your worst nightmare. Pigeons, especially those used to being around people, may come quite close in their search for food. And even with your ‘bird radar’ on constant alert, you can come across a pigeon around any corner and be filled with instant fear. Of course, your fear of birds will likely apply to them all, yet my clients always talk about those, seemingly everywhere, pigeons.

Pigeons will come up to you and near to you looking for food. They will happily hang around, often in big cooing gangs, in any public places. They think there is food and swoop down and will wander closely over to anyone who is, or may, be eating in the hope of some crumbs. You know they will be lurking around and just the thought of encountering birds may fill you with dread and anxiety. And when you encounter one (or more) your fear escalates to another level, You have to stay on constant alert when you are out and about because at any moment you may be forced to face your dreaded fear.

If you have a fear of birds then you already know they are everywhere. Someone without your fear may not even notice them or give them a thought. Yet for you, birds may be all you can think about and notice when you are out and about. Even TV adverts seem to be filled with birds, such as funky pigeons, these days. And if you’ve been struggling with the fear and anxiety then fear of birds hypnotherapy may be just what you need to help you feel better.

And if you are of a certain generation (like I am!) then you may very well remember the ‘Stop the Pigeon’ cartoon where Dastardly and Muttley, and assorted others associated with them, would try and do whatever they could to stop a carrier pigeon from reaching it’s destination. I can’t remember where the pigeon was going, or why it had to be stopped so that the message didn’t get through, but stopped it must be (amusing and unsuccessfully). I suppose these days it would be like having a cartoon of someone trying to stop an email or a Whatsapp reaching the recipient. That would not make a very entertaining kids cartoon.

The theme tune went along these lines:

Fear of Heights Hypnotherapy

by Dan Regan | Feb 17, 2025 | Phobias and Fears

Fear of Heights Hypnotherapy

Do you struggle with a fear of heights? Whether it is looking out from an upper level shopping centre or car park, enjoying the view from several floors up in a building or dreading a cliff top walk, your fear of heights can be limiting and stop you doing things you want to do.

You know, logically, that you are in a safe place and your feet may be firmly grounded on the floor, yet the fear and anxiety take over. You may feel like you are going to fall, imagine worst case scenarios or just feel anxious and so get out of there (or stay away from there) as quickly as you can. Either you experience dread and try to avoid getting up high, or you struggle and seek to escape from that situation as quickly as you possibly can. There is the anxiety and dread that you may need to be up high, the worry about feeling anxious and the panic and fear that strikes if you find yourself in a high up place.

Most of the time avoidance may work quite nicely as a strategy for avoiding the anxiety and fear. You decline invitations to go places or you find a way to get out of things. Those around you may be used to it and so plan things that won’t involve heights, and you may feel bad about stopping them doing things. Or perhaps you can push through some situations by moving quickly and looking down (while pretending you are somewhere else). At some point, however, avoidance becomes problematic. You know you are limiting others from doing things. You can worry about freaking out and embarrassing yourself in front of people who don’t know about your fear, and you may be frustrated that you can’t just enjoy things and do things you would kind of like to get on and do. Your fear controls your life.

With your fear of heights, your brain has, for whatever reason, labelled high up situations as dangers and threats. Despite what you know logically about being safe, your feelings and emotions take over. Whenever you encounter something high up, the same pattern repeats and repeats. You may imagine falling down or worry about having a panic attack. You steer away from anything that could lead to feeling so uncomfortable. And you start to anticipate your fear of heights and think of yourself as someone who can’t cope with these situations. It becomes a self perpetuating cycle of dread, anxiety, worry and fear.

Blood Fear and My Birthday Blood Donation

by Dan Regan | Jun 17, 2024 | Phobias and Fears

Blood Fear and My Birthday Blood Donation

Recently, I’ve been working with a fair few people who struggle with a blood fear. That might be blood itself, having a blood test, needles and injections or even all medically related things.

Last week I celebrated my birthday and I took some time to pop along and make my latest blood donation. As it was my birthday the staff very kindly gave me a card and offered me extra snacks after my blood donation!

I can well remember my first blood donation a few years ago. I was a bit hyped up about it beforehand. I’m ok with blood, needles and injections and the like but there was still a bit of anticipation about what was going to happen and how I would feel afterwards. After all, the first time you do these sort of things there is a big element of the unknown about what is going to happen. These days it’s more in, have a bit of a chat with the staff, bosh out a pint of the red stuff, eat a snack and then back home (feeling like a hero!). This latest experience was so relaxing I felt like I could have had a little sleep whilst donating. I’d have happily sat there and relaxed for a lot longer than they let me!

I help a lot of people to overcome their fear of blood and their anxiety around needles, injections and medical type things. Sometimes even something on TV or a mention of these things can be enough to start the anxiety. Maybe you avoid these things because of your fear. Yet at some point you know that, for your own health and well-being, you are likely to need a blood test or something similar. You can put it off yet at some point it is pretty likely to become necessary.

Instead of that anxiety, fear and dread, it is very possible to have a blood test (or even give blood) whilst feeling calm, comfortable and in control.

Dental Anxiety

by Dan Regan | May 21, 2024 | Phobias and Fears

Dental Anxiety – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Do you struggle with dental anxiety and fear about the dentist?

This morning I headed over to my six monthly check up and hygienist appointment at my dentist. I can remember as a kid hating the dentist. It meant pain and discomfort and misery. Surely no one can forget the sound the drill used to make. I’d be sat there in the waiting room listening to the drill being applied to someone else and getting increasingly tense and worried that it would soon be my turn. I know it’s meant to help with relaxation but sitting there watching the goldfish in the waiting room had no effect. I would sit there listening to the drill while it created a mass of dental anxiety for me.

Of course, things have moved on masses since then. These days treatment is way more advanced and much more comfortable, certainly where I go anyway. Yet, if you struggle with dental anxiety then you may not have been along to the dentist for a long time. You likely still associate dental treatment with those old days and unpleasant experiences when much younger. With your anxiety, your fear will lead to avoidance. Then at some point you have dental issues and avoidance no longer works. You know you need to go to the dentist to get your discomfort looked at and to get it sorted. Yet the very thought of it leaves you anxious, worried and filled with dread.

Avoidance is the main strategy for dealing with anxiety. That may be ignoring the issue for as long as possible. It may mean living with avoidable pain and discomfort in your mouth. It can even mean that when you finally build up the courage to make an appointment you cancel last minute. Or, as some of my former clients have described, you may even get through the anxiety and panic and get to the dentist only to flee from the chair before you are even asked to open your mouth.

We know that regular visits to the dentist are important for your health. Yet dental anxiety leads to side stepping any sort of regular dentist visits and that can lead to all sorts of problems with your mouth, teeth and gums that will require a lot more treatment later.

Emetophobia and Fear of Vomiting – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Apr 30, 2024 | Anxiety Stress and Panic Attacks, Phobias and Fears

Emetophobia and Fear of Vomiting – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Emetophobia and the fear of vomiting are a much more common anxiety issue than many people realise. Only recently I was talking to an anxiety client who mentioned in passing that she also has a fear of being sick. It’s one of those irrational fears that rarely gets talked about and can be hidden quite well and so many sufferers feel pretty alone with their worry.

Emetophobia is a fear of vomiting or of seeing other people being sick. Although it can be hidden quite well by avoidance, the anxious thoughts and feelings can creep into all sorts of situations, can dominate your planning before you do anything and can have a limiting impact upon your life. As with most anxiety and fear, you fear being out of control in a situation whether either you or someone else is, or could be, sick. Yet, in trying to control for the possibility of it happening, you actually feel less and less in control.

You may worry that you will be sick and so you pay attention to every physical sensation you have, especially in your stomach or throat. Many people with emetophobia that I work with may not have actually been sick for a long time. As a result, they can become convinced that every physical sensation is a sign that this is the time it is going to happen, that this time is different and that you are going to vomit. Of course, that anxiety causes more physical sensations and so your anxiety and fear spiral upwards higher and higher.

Some people with a fear of vomiting are only worried about being sick themselves. For many, there is also the fear of seeing others being sick (which could bring the increased risk that you will also then be sick). You may avoid some situations around others, or activities you associate with an increased risk of people being unwell. You may even struggle watching if an actor on TV is sick. Certain sounds, such as coughing or burping, may place you on edge. And if you know someone has been unwell then you probably try to avoid them, even if they are now better again. Rather than being supportive and empathetic, if someone says they feel sick then your first instinct is to get away.

Being sick or around someone being sick is an unpleasant experience. Most people get through it, forget about it and move on if it happens. With emetophobia, the fear and anxiety lurks and influences your decisions before you do anything. You can be on high alert in public places. And if something was to happen, it already feels like it would be the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you.

Anxiety About Driving – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

by Dan Regan | Mar 9, 2024 | Phobias and Fears

Anxiety About Driving – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

Anxiety about driving is a pretty common thing. With so many cars on the road, it may seem to you like everyone else just gets in the car and goes. Yet anxiety about driving can impact in all sorts of frustrating and limiting ways.

We all rely on cars so much these days that if you struggle with getting in the car and going places, it’s going to have an adverse impact upon your life. Rather than having the freedom to go places and do the things you want to do, you either miss out, battle with anxiety or have to rely on others to take you. It seems so easy for others yet you struggle with the anxious thoughts and feelings about driving that make it an ordeal, a threat and something to try and avoid.

Now, of course, anxiety about driving can impact in different ways. For some it means totally avoiding driving altogether because of the anxiety, stress, worry and fear. You may have certain routes that are more comfortable for you, such as local and slower roads, but anything beyond that is out of limits. And for others, it is only the quicker roads that seem safer and manageable. There can also be anxiety about specific aspects of driving, such as busy traffic, coping with glaring lights at night, new routes or dealing with finding a space and parking.

However, your driving anxiety impacts, you can feel tense just thinking about it and you can dread any upcoming journey. You find yourself vividly imagining all sorts of feared driving situations. You might worry about messing up, going the wrong way or being unable to park at your destination. You may worry about other road users driving dangerously. Or maybe you feel anxious as you think about the risk that you may cause an accident and harm someone else. If you feel anxious about it, your mind will find some negative worst case scenario that may happen.

You may have been told before that you are a capable driver, you may even know logically that the likelihood of that feared worst case happening is remote. Yet in the grip of anxiety the thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming. You feel relief if you can get out of driving and that relief fuels your desire to avoid any other driving situations that could occur in the future.

Yet it is very possible to change this pattern of anxiety. Rather than being filled with dread and anxiety, you can start to feel calm, comfortable and confident both before you drive and when you are behind the wheel. Rather than your thoughts being dominated with how you’ll get somewhere, you can start to become more focused on where you are going and why you are going there.

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