Hypnotherapy, Low-Blood Sugar Levels and Agoraphobia

Hypnosis Motivation Institute founder John Kappas, Ph.D. believed that agoraphobia—a dysfunctional disorder that stems from a fear of loss of control—is strongly associated with and but could even be also be exacerbated by low blood-sugar levels. According to the hypnotherapist, agoraphobia typically starts as one type of fear, such as fear of the dark or a fear of being alone or a fear of certain animals, and then generalizes to other anxieties and issues. 

Like other fears and phobias, the person doesn’t associate his or her anxiety with what is going on in the environment versus what they eat. Physical and psychological symptoms of agoraphobia can include heart palpitations, panic, memory problems, depression, confusion and even suicidal ideation. Food that contains high levels of sugar or carbohydrates, drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages can elevate blood-sugar levels and exacerbate these symptoms until the individual becomes virtually immobilized by his or her fears.

“[Low blood sugar] can come on after stress,” Dr. Kappas said. “The fear reaction can create blood-sugar problems, resulting in phobic reaction onsets later.”

Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) is often associated with a sudden drop in blood-sugar level, he explained. When this happens, the body automatically “defends” itself by substituting adrenaline for glucose (sugar). The bloodstream carries and delivers this hormone to the organs, muscles and glands to activate the fight/flight or survival response. When blood-sugar levels are low, it is common to experience various physical symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, dizziness or nausea; in extreme cases, you may have a panic attack or even faint. Meanwhile, your subconscious mind automatically attaches significance to whatever you are doing or even your location when this discomfort sets in, and the phobia is born.

Hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for agoraphobia with which to “unlearn” and change or replace these unwanted fear and phobia behaviors. In hypnosis, the hypnotherapist should address the client’s eating habits and encourages dietary changes that include more protein and fewer carbohydrates/sugars in the nutrition plan. Dr. Kappas also advised using systematic desensitization and relaxation techniques to reduce the client’s hyper-suggestibility to rewrite the client’s subconscious mental script about these generalized fears.

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.

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