It is natural for everyone to experience some fears, but suffering from a phobia is a more serious matter. A phobia is an irrational fear that is seemingly beyond one's control. Phobias are considered to be a form of anxiety disorder, and often trigger nervousness and panic attacks in a sufferer. When someone has a phobia, they become so desperate to avoid their fear that it interferes with their daily activities and their ability to enjoy life.

Some of the most common phobias are claustrophobia, a fear of enclosed spaces, acrophobia, the fear of heights, and arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. Arachnophobia is the number one most common phobia. While many people are afraid of spiders, people with arachnophobia experience an abnormally high amount of fear. Even a photograph or drawing of a spider can make some arachnophobes uneasy. Some people have anxiety attacks or panic at the sight of a spider. They might do anything in order to avoid a spider; for instance, people with severe arachnophobia might try to jump out of a moving car if they see a spider next to them.

Sufferers often feel embarrassed by their uncontrollable reactions. Other people and even the sufferers themselves might see their behavior as irrational. Their anxiety over spiders and their reaction to the creatures may escalate into other problems as well. Arachnophobia and other phobias often lead to a condition called agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia develops when a person is afraid of being in any potentially stressful setting or situation. For someone with arachnophobia, this may mean avoiding any place a spider might be found, unfamiliar places, and even avoiding leaving the house or going outdoors altogether. This can seriously interfere with a person's daily life. A person may fear having panic attacks or embarrassing him or herself by losing control. Many people find themselves in a constant state of anxiety over these fears.

People with phobias frequently struggle with the inability to control their fears. The truth is the root of the problem lies at the unconscious level of the mind; so conscious effort or willpower will not work to control a phobia. A phobia is best treated at the unconscious level, which is why Ericksonian hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques are the most effective phobia treatments.

There are many different hypnosis programs available for treating phobias. Most utilize traditional hypnosis techniques that depend on the use of post-hypnotic suggestions with very specific wording to combat fears. These days, post-hypnotic suggestions rarely work because our generation has a tendency to question and analyze everything. And since today's population tends to do the opposite of what they are told, they resist post-hypnotic suggestions and experience an entirely conflicting response.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy is different from traditional hypnosis because it uses indirect suggestions that are hidden in conversation. That makes them hard for the conscious mind to pick out, so they are more likely to make it through to the unconscious level and be accepted.

The typical procedure starts by using hypnosis to make you feel completely calm and relaxed. Then, instead of simply "telling" your unconscious mind what to do, Ericksonian techniques use stories and metaphors to guide your mind into a desirable line of thinking.

NLP techniques work by targeting the specific thought process that creates an irrational phobia and using it to eliminate the fear. Because of this, NLP will work on any phobia.

People respond much better to the combination of NLP and Ericksonian techniques than to traditional hypnosis because instead of receiving direct commands, the unconscious mind is persuaded to follow a new, more logical thought process. These hypnosis programs work well for people who are analytical, critical thinkers and people who are independent thinkers.

It is not necessary to have a unique hypnosis program for each different phobia. A single program that includes multiple sessions with the right combination of Ericksonian hypnotherapy and NLP techniques can treat any phobia. Furthermore, a good program will work for everyone. The combination of a multitude of techniques in several different sessions ensures success for each and every individual who uses them. By following each step of the program, people often amaze themselves at how quickly they overcome their fears.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy and NLP focus on transforming irrational fears and behaviors into rational, calm responses. For many people suffering from debilitating fears such as arachnophobia, this is a life-changing treatment. Hypnosis is a powerful tool for overcoming anxieties and fears to live a fuller, happier life.

A list of the common uses of hypnosis.

Copyright © 2008 By Alan B. Densky, CH. This document may NOT be re-printed without permission. All Rights Reserved. If you feel that adding this article to your website will add value, see our Article Syndication information.

Since 1978, Alan B. Densky, CH has been helping clients overcome absurd fears and phobias. He offers a powerful phobia treatment based on NLP and hypnotherapy. Learn more at his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website using his Free article library and video hypnosis library.