For the majority of time you may feel calm and capable, yet find that one particular situation brings on a completely different response.

It could be speaking in front of other people, sitting an exam, attending an interview or knowing that attention may suddenly turn towards you. You might understand perfectly well that you are safe, but your body still reacts as though something threatening is about to happen.

Your heart begins racing, your mind goes blank or you become intensely aware of how you look and sound. Sometimes the worry begins days or even weeks beforehand.

That is often when people come to see me. They are usually frustrated because the anxiety does not reflect how capable they know themselves to be.

When anxiety becomes linked to a particular situation

Situational anxiety can develop around almost anything, although common examples include:

Public speaking or giving a presentation
Tests, exams and assessments
Job interviews
Meetings or speaking in groups
Performing in front of other people
Social occasions
Being watched while completing a task
Worrying about blushing, shaking or sweating
Medical or dental appointments
Travelling or being away from familiar places

For some people, the anxiety only appears when the event is actually happening. For others, the anticipation is the most difficult part.

You may repeatedly picture things going wrong, rehearse every possible problem or look for a reason to avoid the situation altogether. Once it is over, you might replay it in your mind and criticise things that nobody else noticed.

Why does it feel so difficult?

When your mind has connected a particular situation with embarrassment, failure or loss of control, it can begin preparing you for danger before you have had time to think.

This can lead to physical sensations such as:

A racing heart
Shaking hands or legs
Blushing or feeling hot
A dry mouth
Tightness in the chest or stomach
Feeling light-headed
Needing the toilet
Difficulty concentrating
Your mind suddenly going blank

These sensations can then become another source of worry. You may begin wondering whether other people can see that you are anxious, which makes you feel even more self-conscious.

Avoiding the situation usually brings immediate relief, but it can also make the next occasion feel more daunting. Over time, your world may begin to narrow around something that you would genuinely like to feel able to do.

How I may be able to help

I offer hypnotherapy in Hayle and online for people who would like help managing anxiety in particular situations.

We begin by talking about what happens for you. I like to understand the situation itself, the thoughts that appear beforehand and the response you notice in your body.

Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety and may make it easier to approach the situation with a calmer frame of mind. I often use relaxation, guided imagery and mental rehearsal to help you imagine responding in the way you would prefer.

This might involve seeing yourself entering the room calmly, listening carefully, recalling what you know and speaking at a comfortable pace. The aim is to help that response feel more familiar before you face the real event.

We may also work on confidence, self-trust and the pressure you place upon yourself. Many people expect themselves to feel completely calm or perform perfectly. In reality, you can feel some nerves and still handle the situation well.

You remain in control

Hypnosis is a relaxed and focused state. You will hear what I am saying and can speak or move whenever you choose. And we’ll work together at a pace that feels manageable.

I will also explain what I am doing and why, so you do not have to wonder what is going to happen during the session.

Support for specific situations

You may find one of the following pages helpful if your anxiety is connected to a more particular concern:

Public speaking anxiety

Support if presentations, meetings or speaking in front of a group leave you feeling overwhelmed or unable to think clearly.

Test and exam anxiety

Help with the anxious thoughts and physical reactions that can make it difficult to concentrate or recall what you have learned.

Blushing anxiety

Support if worrying about blushing has made you increasingly self-conscious or led you to avoid social and professional situations.

Situational anxiety can also overlap with panic attacks, social anxiety or a specific phobia. We can talk about this during your consultation and decide whether my approach is suitable for you.

Your initial consultation

The consultation gives us time to discuss what you are experiencing and what you would like to change.

You can tell me as much or as little as you feel comfortable sharing. I may ask when the anxiety began, how it affects you now and whether there are any situations you have started avoiding.

We will also talk about what a useful improvement would look like for you. That could mean giving a presentation without weeks of worry, sitting an exam with a clearer mind or simply feeling less concerned about what other people might think.

There is no obligation to book further sessions. The consultation is an opportunity for us to meet, for you to ask questions and for us both to decide whether working together feels appropriate.