Whilst sweating is a natural and necessary physiological response, helping us to regulate our temperature, a problem with excessive sweating can cause much embarrassment to the sufferer. Excessive sweating may be characterised by its frequency (sweating more regularly than the average person), its severity (sweat forms more quickly or in greater volume than the average person) and its location (sufferers may sweat from their hands, feet, buttocks, back, neck, as well as armpits and face).
Reasons for excessive sweating
For sufferers of hyperhidrosis, the one common thread is that their excessive sweating is irrational. As I mentioned above, it may be the degree or severity of their sweating that is out of place. So the sweating may occur only in environments where one would expect to sweat, such as in a hot environment or after physical activity, but they are sweating to a more extreme degree than others in that same situation are. Alternatively, and most common in my experience, is that the excessive sweating is occurring in environments where one would not typically expect someone to sweat. So some sufferers will sweat profusely on a cold day, perhaps when in an enclosed, confined space. It could happen when put on the spot and they all of a sudden feel self-conscious. For some, there appears to be no particular trigger. It just occurs, whether that be with friends, family, strangers or even when on their own or talking to someone on the phone.
What causes excessive sweating
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, it is important that you first seek medical advice as it could be a symptom of an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed. Those who I see in my practice, however, have been informed that there is no medical explanation and that most likely it is a subconscious response.
So why would the subconscious mind, the part of our brain designed to protect us from physical, emotional and mental hurt, create a symptom that causes such distress? Our subconscious, as powerful and effective as it is, is also flawed. In order for our subconscious to react instinctively, it must do so without thought or analysis. This gives way for misinterpretation and misunderstanding. If our subconscious perceives there to be a potential emotional or physical threat in certain situations, it will create a response designed to help us avoid those environments and keep us safe. To the subconscious, excessive sweating isn’t a problem, it’s a solution.
Excessive sweating treatment
In order for us to convince your subconscious to dispose of this irrational response, we must first understand how the hyperhidrosis benefits you. If we simply use hypnosis to manage or suppress the sweating, then the subconscious will replace it with another symptom in order to achieve the same purpose. For example, if you’re dehydrated your body may cause headaches as a way of warning you that something is wrong. If you suppress the headaches with painkillers without fixing the cause, the body will just create another symptom to act as a warning. If instead, you work out that your body requires water, then you can resolve the dehydration directly and the headaches will naturally disappear.
Hypnotherapy for excessive sweating
Hypnosis is not mind control but it can powerfully affect the way your mind reacts. With curative hypnotherapy, the focus is on finding and then correcting the subconscious need for the excessive sweating. Whilst this isn’t a magical cure, it can be very effective in providing a long-term solution to hyperhidrosis.
Hypnotherapy itself is relaxing and enjoyable. In an average of around six-eight sessions (some need more), it’s possible to resolve the cause of excessive sweating so that the symptoms can be disposed of naturally. It’s important that you are open and receptive to the idea of hypnosis and are committed to change. It’s a co-operative process between you and your therapist. During the initial consultation, we would first discuss your experience of hyperhidrosis and how it affects you. Then I would guide you into the relaxation to show you how enjoyable and natural hypnosis is. You remain in complete control the whole time. I also give out some relaxation recordings for you to listen to in-between the sessions so that you would become more familiar with relaxing to my voice. This can help reduce the number of sessions we end up needing.
Next steps
If you would like any additional information about hypnotherapy treatment for excessive sweating, then please do get in touch via email. Alternatively, you can call me on 020 3700 4263 for a complimentary chat on the phone. You can learn more about me and how I work, and decide if this is the right approach for you. If you would first like to read more information on hyperhidrosis and curative hypnotherapy, then please visit my dedicated excessive sweating treatment page.
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