Homing instinct: idle hours
by Rebecca Abrams, 07 December 2002, The Daily Telegraph

I also received an interesting and helpful letter from a reader on this subject . . .

Throughout my teenage years I, too, suffered from acute stress and anxiety attacks caused by the academic pressure that was placed on me by my school and - nintentionally - by my parents. This anxiety manifested itself in regular vomiting and uncontrollable bouts of hysteria and depression. I was eventually referred to a psychologist but, after a few visits, realised that this treatment was not for me.

On a friend's recommendation, I then decided to try hypnotherapy instead. Although I was initially sceptical, it has helped me in a multitude of ways to deal with stress and anxiety. It has taught me how to relax and put problems in perspective, and has given me tips for dealing with panic attacks - for example, wearing a rubber band on my wrist and flicking it hard when I start to panic is a signal to snap out of it. With the aid of hypnotherapy, I have been able to fulfill my dream of going to university and getting a good degree.