Many people have suffered from one or more compulsions that they would rather not have. These compulsions might be in the form of a habit, urge or even addiction.

According to an encyclopedia’s definition, a compulsion is “obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions which attempt to neutralize the obsessions. The Oxford English dictionary states its definition as “the action or state of compelling or being compelled or an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way.”

On the other hand, a habit according to the Oxford English dictionary, is “A settled or regular tendency or practice. ”

Of course certain habits, compulsions, urges and addictions may be life-affirming and considered as “healthy” pursuits. For example if you feel compelled to make a positive difference to your life or someone else’s by taking some action such as supporting a local charity, that would be considered healthy and commendable.

Unwanted Habits, Urges, Compulsions, Addictions
It is when a habit, urge, compulsion or addiction is not a healthy response to thoughts, feelings, emotions or events that it then becomes a problem.

Many habits and addictions may have been introduced to someone’s life as a solution to an existing issue or life-challenge. For example, bereavement can affect people in many different ways. An individual suffering some loss may find their anxiety and stress levels have increased. They would naturally want to seek a way of reducing their stress and feeling more relaxed. They might turn to alcohol as their solution. This might be effective in the short-term. In the long-term though the continued use of alcohol leads to another problem. In effect the previous solution to stress (alcohol) now becomes the problem itself. This is why it is vital that healthy solutions are chosen initially.

Hypnotherapists Help Unwanted Behaviours
Hypnotherapists are most effective at helping individuals change unwanted habits, urges, compulsions and addictions. As long as the individual is motivated to change, a hypnotherapist will often work with the client to discover the root cause of the initial problem.

Regression in a hypnotherapy session may be used to not only discover a past event but to help change how that event or experience has been processed or perceived by the client. We are all different and perceive situations uniquely. What will drive one person to drink will have a different effect on someone else.

Hypnotherapy also helps new habits to form.  The imagination is a vital part of any change work when hypnotherapy helps with addictions, habits, urges and compulsions.

Most unwanted behaviours are learnt. In other words, you are not born with them. If they are learnt, you can unlearn them and discover a better and healthier way of living.

So whether you have OCD, use drugs, alcohol or smoke, these are all types of unwanted behaviours which include habits, urges, compulsions and some sense of addiction. Nail-biting, bruxism (jaw-clenching), insomnia, blushing, eating for emotional reasons,  unwarranted outbursts of anger and  sulking are all responses to situations that have become second-nature and therefore habitual.

There is no doubt that addictions can take many forms such as an addiction to a substance (cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, alcohol, ) as well as to specific behaviours (pornography access, internet use, ).

All of these behaviour issues may have helped a past and current emotion that was and  still is difficult to deal with such as loneliness, loss, anxiety, fear, worry, dread and love. Now, the behaviour has become part of the problem. Hypnotherapy can help you to overcome these unwanted behaviours and get you back into feeling good about yourself encouraging a healthy and stronger inner confidence and self-esteem.
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Author’s Details

Steven Harold BA(Hons) DCH DHP
Clinical Hypnotherapist – London and Essex

Website: www.hypno-therapist.com Email: mindfully@hypno-therapist.com
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