OVERCOMING SHYNESS WITH HYPNOTHERAPY

Thierry Dupre 24

As a child I used to be bullied and teased by the other kids because I looked different from everyone else – I’m half French and half Vietnamese and was always quite small compared to the other boys. I used to keep quiet and try to be a good boy – I wasn’t shy as such but I never really fitted in.

At school, I never worked to the best of my ability – perhaps because I was afraid of more bullying – the smart kids were usually teased as well. This bad habit has carried over to my adult life – at work I find it difficult to concentrate and still don’t work to my full potential. My manager is often critical and this only emphasises my shyness problem, making me go further into my shell.

My parents have always been really supportive of me and one day my mother suggested I get some help and sent me to see Alix. I would have never taken the initiative on my own, but my parents are always good at pushing me to do things.

My sessions with Alix have helped me break those patterns and see myself as a unique individual and value the things I am good at. I can’t believe the difference a few sessions have made – I have been able to overcome shyness, stop the ‘negative chatter’ in my head and become much more relaxed and confident.

Ironically, I’ve also learned not to be so dependant on my parents – I realised that I was always doing what my parents wanted instead of trusting my own judgement. Not to say that I’m not very grateful to my mother for sending me to Alix! Because of my sessions, my shyness has almost disappeared, I go out more with my friends (who have noticed a real difference) and my boss is very pleased with my improved performance at work.

Alix’s comments on overcoming and treating shyness.

Thierry was very quiet and withdrawn when he came to therapy and talked very quietly and hesitantly about his problems with shyness. He was worried about losing his job because his anxieties were preventing him from concentrating at work. He felt his shyness and inability to connect with people was causing him to put his life on hold. He was desperate to resolve his issues so that he could relax and have a normal life.

Hypnotherapy was used to help Thierry understand why he felt so embarrassed in social situations and why he wanted to hide away. Through the process he was able to fully support his younger self, during his teenage years, when he had been bullied and was not able to protect himself. He was able to visualise standing up to the bullies and discovered more effective ways of dealing with conflict and potentially difficult situations. Emotional Freedom technique helped him to let go of his negative self-image and he was able to value and accept himself  in a much more positive way.

Furthermore, hypnotherapy helped Thierry to disconnect from the old record of negative chatter in his head. A new more positive programme was installed. Gradually Thierry’s self confidence improved and he was able to come out of his protective shell.  His shyness decreased and his ability to concentrate has improved. He is now much happier and confident in dealing with people and performing much better at work.