What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Someone experiencing panic and anxiety is feeling the effects of the 'fight or flight' response. The fight or flight response is our bodies natural response to a perceived danger. When it is activated, hormones are released into the body to enable us to either deal with or escape from the dangerous situation.

The effects of the fight or flight response include an increase in our heart rate to pump blood faster to the lungs, muscles and brain. We breath more rapidly to increase our oxygen levels, our muscles tense ready for action and many functions not necessary for fighting or escaping, such as digestion or reproduction, slow or stop.

It is important to realise that what we think about can actually activate the fight or flight response. Our minds and bodies can't tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking, worrying or 'what if'-ing about something you are actually activating the fight or flight response in exactly the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

"The tree that does not bend with the wind will be broken by the wind"
Chinese proverb

Due to the way anxiety functions, it is almost impossible to fight it head on. You've probably already tried that and failed miserably. In fact the more you fight and try to control the anxiety, the worse it gets! I wonder if you could you imagine just how useful it would be for you to learn new and different ways to think and react so that your fears just faded away and no longer seemed a problem?

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or to make an appointment now.

Many people develop panic disorder following a major life stress or a build up of stress. Major life stress can include a death of a loved one, moving home, loss of employment, relationship problems, financial problems, a physical illness, birth of a child etc.

Common examples of anxiety are public speaking anxiety, performance anxiety, blushing, exam nerves, fear of flying and driving anxiety.

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."
Elbert Hubbard

There are several different anxiety disorders and people may experience symptoms of more than one at the same time.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is persistence and excessive anxiety or worry about events or activities which may or may not happen.

Panic Disorder is the fear of having a spontaneous panic attack. The intensity of the attack can be extremely severe and many people feel they are having a heart attack and/or are going to die or are going insane.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the experience of obsessive, unwanted thoughts and/or compulsive behaviours. This can include repetitive behaviours such as cleaning, checking, counting, repeating words silently, or hand washing.

Social Anxiety is the experience of fear, anxiety or panic in social situations. People may fear embarrassing themselves or making a fool of themselves in some way.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the experience, or witness of, or confrontation with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death, or serious injury, or threat of physical injury of self or others. The major feature of PTSD is the reliving of the event through dreams, nightmares or flashbacks.

Specific Phobias are an excessive fear about a specific thing (animals, heights, flying, blood etc.) The object or situation is avoided or provokes extreme anxiety.

Agoraphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of public places or open areas, especially those from which escape could be difficult or help not immediately accessible. Persons with agoraphobia frequently also have panic disorder.
(Online Therapy is available from the comfort of your own home using Skype software and a webcam. It has worked well with for previous clients with agoraphobia. Click here for further information on online therapy.)

People with an anxiety disorder can also experience a number of different symptoms as a result of their disorder. It is very important for you to discuss your symptoms with your doctor so that a full medical assessment can be made. Do not self diagnose.

Symptoms of anxiety may include:

PLEASE NOTE: If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms then get them checked out by a doctor right away. Panic attacks and anxiety can mimic a number of physical conditions, and it is important for you to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

"One who fears failure limits his activities.
Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again."
Henry Ford

Panic Attacks

A panic attack may be experienced with any of the anxiety disorders and is a sudden rush of intense and uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, and confusion. Which is coupled with negative thoughts about the situation (e.g. making a scene, looking foolish, having a heart attack, not being able to breathe etc.).

Symptoms of panic attacks can include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, derealisation or depersonalisation, fear of losing control or going 'crazy', fear of dying, paresthesia, and chills or hot flushes.

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The Treatment

The treatment is available at the Manchester and Harley Street practice and is highly tailored to each persons requirements, so the exact form of treatment and number of sessions will vary from person to person. However significant improvements can often be made in as little as 6 to 8 one hour sessions, for more deep rooted or complex problems, 8 or more may be required. It is always my aim to help you overcome your anxiety as quickly as possible.

Examples of just a few of the commonly dealt with issues:

• Building your self-esteem, self-worth and self confidence.
• Changing limiting beliefs and building powerful empowering beliefs.
• Disassembling of the negative feedback loops, and self reinforcing and self sustaining aspects of the anxiety.
• Changing your perceptions of others, and what you think they think of you.
• Change what you feel about yourself and your abilities.
• Learn emotional state management.
• Learning to relax/ground/centre yourself so you can stay more in the moment.
• Positively changing your perceptions of past events and future worries.

The treatment combines psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Hypnotherapy, which are individually recognised as highly successful ways of changing peoples behaviours and perceptions and I'm sure you can imagine the amazing benefits of combining these powerful techniques, allowing you to quickly and easily change the thoughts and behaviours you currently have so you just find yourself changing in beneficial ways.

I am a professional fully qualified and experienced Advanced Hypnotherapist, Life Coach, Psychotherapist and a Licensed NLP Master Practitioner. I was trained by Paul McKenna, and by Dr Richard Bandler - the creator of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). I combine all my skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your needs. So that I can help you to change in the most effortless ways possible.

(See the consultation fees page for prices and discounts.)

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or to make an appointment now.

When considering the rest of your life, what value do you place on your well-being?

Booking is easy

NOTE: Before booking it is very important that you have had your symptoms diagnosed by a medical practitioner, as some physical issues can produce the same symptoms as anxiety.

I recommend booking an Initial Consultation first. This gives us the chance to begin to explore your issues and your requirements further, give you honest answers to any questions you might have and give you a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may require.

When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0161 881 4333 or to make an appointment now.

Location

I practice both from a consulting room in my home in Chorlton in South Manchester, and from a clinic on Harley Street, London. If you can't travel to me then I am also available for online therapy, counselling and coaching via Skype.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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Consultation Fees

Session fees are paid at the time of booking.

You may pay by cash, Debit Card, credit card or online. I no longer accept cheques.

Cost when paying per session:

See the consultation fees page for session prices and discounts.

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Upcoming Workshops

Why not enquire about the next full day anxiety workshop, held regularly in South Manchester.

Nigel Magowan

Nigel Magowan BSc(Hons) UKCP(CIT) DABCH MCAHyp GHR SQHP MHA AMPM
Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Advanced Hypnotherapist, Ecotherapist, Accredited Supervisor and Natural Awareness Therapist

About Nigel Magowan

Nigel Magowan is a professional and experienced Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, a Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, an Advanced Hypnotherapist and Ecotherapist. Nigel has trained with some of the best trainers. He combines all his training, skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your exact needs. He uses an integrative solution focused approach to his work which can bring about results in a much shorter time than traditional counselling or psychoanalysis. He has also received additional specialist training in working with addictions, treating IBS, controlling pain, stress management techniques, and ecotherapy. Nigel is also a fully trained and accredited supervisor and offers supervision to other therapists.

Nigel holds an enhanced CRB certificate.

He has his own busy Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy, Counselling, Life Coaching, NLP and Hypnotherapy practice in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, South Manchester, and on Harley Street, London. Within easy traveling distance of Altrincham, Ashton, Bolton, Buxton, Didsbury, Fallowfield, Gatley, Glossop, Harley Street London, Hale, Hyde, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Manchester City Centre, Mere, Preston, Sale, Stockport, Stretford, Wilmslow, Withington and other towns in Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and the Greater Manchester and the North West area.

He specialises in helping people with anxiety, panic attacks, stress management, addictions, IBS, pain control, confidence and self esteem, insomnia, public speaking and performance anxiety, fears, phobias, smoking cessation, weight loss, and study and sport performance enhancement.

He is a a UKCP Candidate in Training; a member of the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy; the General Hypnotherapy Register, the Hypnotherapy Association; the Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy; the Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP); the NHS Directory of Complementary & Alternative Practitioners; the UK Register of IBS Therapists; the National Register of Practitioners in Smoking Cessation

He practices according to the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy, General Hypnotherapy Standards Council, ANLP and Hypnotherapy Associations code of ethics, and has full Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Qualifications & Training

Continuing Professional Development
Current and on-going training and supervision, keeping my skills fresh and at the cutting edge

Please take some time to browse the other pages on this website:

What is Hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

What is NLP?

Some of the conditions that respond well to hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and NLP which can be treated at the Manchester office

Questions and Answers about hypnosis, hypnotherapy, NLP and stress management

Services available at the Manchester office

Stop smoking using hypnotherapy and NLP

Using hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and NLP for weight loss and weight management

Hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and NLP for Anxiety Disorders

Using hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and NLP for Stress Management

Using hypnotherapy and NLP to quickly overcome Fears and Phobias

Using hypnotherapy, psychotherapy for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Pain control and pain management using hypnotherapy, noesitherapy, NLP at our Manchester practice

Manchester based Life Coaching

Hypnosis MP3 Downloads

Prices for hypnotherapy and NLP treatments at the Manchester practice

Location of the hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, NLP and stress management practice in Manchester

Links to sites related to hypnosis, hypnotherapy, NLP and Manchester

Anxiety and Panic Attack treatment at the Harley Street London Clinic

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Clients come to me from all over the North West of England, see below for a list of areas covered:

Greater Manchester: Chorlton ~ Didsbury ~ Fallowfield ~ Flixton ~ Eccles ~ Irlam ~ Salford ~ Swinton ~ Pendlebury ~ Worsley ~ Walkden ~ Cadishead ~ Bury ~ Bolton ~ Farnworth ~ Little Lever ~ Kearsley ~ Wardley ~ Monton ~ Orrel ~ Barton ~ Boothstown ~ Dumplington ~ Baguley ~ Benchill ~ Burnage ~ Blackley ~ Beswick ~ Clayton ~ Crumpsall ~ Levenshulme ~ Longsight ~ Northenden ~ Rusholme ~ Sharston ~ Withington ~ Woodhouse Park ~ Wythenshawe ~ Westhoughton ~ Blackrod ~ Kearsley ~ Horwich ~ Prestwich ~ Ramsbottom ~ Radcliffe ~ Tottington ~ Whitefield ~ Whalley Range ~ Carrington ~ Victoria Park ~ Old Trafford ~ Cheetham Hill ~ Tameside ~ Ashton under Lyme ~ Denton ~ Reddish ~ Stalybridge ~ Hyde ~ Oldham ~ Royton ~ Saddleworth ~ Rochdale ~ Heywood ~ Littleborough ~ Castleton ~ Milnrow ~ Middleton ~ Wardle ~ Wigan ~ Ashton-in-Makerfield ~ Golborne ~ Billinge ~ Winstanley ~ Leigh ~ Standish.

North Trafford: Davyhulme ~ Firswood ~ Flixton ~ Gorse Hill ~ Lostock ~ Old Trafford ~ Stretford ~ Trafford Park ~ Urmston.

South Trafford: Altrincham ~ Ashton-on-Mersey ~ Bowdon ~ Broadheath ~ Brooklands ~ Carrington ~ Dunham Massey ~ Hale ~ Hale Barns ~ Oldfield Brow ~ Partington ~ Sale ~ Sale Moor ~ Timperley ~ Warburton ~ West Timperley.

Stockport: Adswood ~ Bramhall ~ Bredbury ~ Brinnington ~ Cheadle ~ Cheadle Hulme ~ Compstall ~ Davenport ~ Edgeley ~ Gatley ~ Heaton Moor ~ Heaton Norris ~ Heaton Chapel ~ Heaton Mersey ~ Hazel Grove ~ Heald Green ~ Heavily ~ High Lane ~ Marple ~ Offerton ~ Poynton ~ Reddish ~ Romiley.

Cheshire: Alderley Edge ~ Adlington ~ Ashley ~ Bucklow Hill ~ Handforth Dean ~ High Legh ~ Knutsford ~ Mere ~ Mobberley ~ Ollerton ~ Plumley ~ Tatton ~ Pickmere ~ Wilmslow ~ Warburton ~ Woodford ~ Lymm ~ Dunham ~ Massey ~ Chester ~ Crewe ~ Northwich ~ Daresbury ~ Warington ~ Winsford ~ Widnes ~ Wirral ~ Nantwich ~ Sandbach ~ Middlewich ~ Congleton ~ Alsager ~ Macclesfield ~ Prestbury ~ Goostrey ~ Pickmere ~ Mottram St.Andrew ~ Mobberley ~ Chelford ~ Tytherington ~ Bollington ~ Alsager ~ Tarporley ~ Davenham ~ Great Appleton Thorn ~ Budworth ~ Little Budworth ~ Frodsham ~ Holmes Chape ~ High Legh ~ Disley ~ Grappenhall ~ Appleton ~ Croft ~ Thelwall ~ Penketh ~ Glazebury ~ Winwick ~ Culcheth ~ Saint Helens ~ Over Peover ~ Lower Peover ~ Church Lawton ~ Cranage ~ Stockton Heath.

Cumbria ~ Lancashire ~ Merseyside ~ Derbyshire ~ Staffordshire ~ Peak District ~ North Wales ~ North West.

If you are looking for a hypnotherapist in the UK outside of the above areas try clicking a link below to search the General Hypnotherapy Register:

Bath | Birmingham | Bradford | Brighton | Bristol | Cambridge | Canterbury | Carlisle | Chester | Chichester | Coventry | Derby | Dundee | Durham | Exeter | Gloucester | Hereford | Kingston-upon-Hull | Lancaster | Leeds | Leicester | Lichfield | Lincoln | London | Newcastle upon Tyne | Norwich | Nottingham | Oxford | Peterborough | Plymouth | Portsmouth | Preston | Ripon | Salford | Salisbury | Sheffield | Southampton | St Albans | Stoke-on-Trent | Sunderland | Truro | Wakefield | Wells | Westminster | Winchester | Wolverhampton | Worcester | York

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