Habits, Compulsive Behaviours and Addictions

A habit is created when an action is repeated enough times that your brain ‘hard wires’ it. It creates neural pathways that mean you can perform the action without really having to think too deeply, it becomes automatic.

Habits are often good things, without them, you would need to recreate a great deal of complex thinking and action into every part of your day, every day. Driving, operating machinery or your laptop would be much harder and more complicated.

Problems occur when our incredible brains hardwire behaviours that have a negative impact on our lives, e.g., smoking, nail biting, drinking alcohol.

Compulsions are slightly different. These repetitive behaviours are driven by anxiety and are often defined within OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder.

An addiction is similar to a habit but with an addiction there is a state of physiological or psychological dependence to a substance or behaviour.

Which creates a much stronger attachment to the substance or behaviour.

Hypnotherapy is extremely successful in this area because it helps to break unhealthy behaviour patterns that cause habits, addictions and compulsive behaviour. It literally rewires the brain. Working with the subconscious mind we can uncover the reason, the conscious and subconscious benefits and the need for the substance or action. During the session we reconcile these thoughts and feelings and empower you to change these patterns of thinking and behaviour to more positive healthy actions. Hypnotherapy also instils a sense of confidence that you can and will free yourself, it is possible to overcome these issues.

To discuss Hypnotherapy and how I can help you more or if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email for an informal chat that is completely free of any obligation and totally confidential.