Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

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By Robert Whittington    Reply to this Topic  |  New Topic

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Robert Whittington
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Location: Essex, UK
Date Dec 22nd, 2010 04:58 Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

I have opportunity to work with a client who has experienced loved ones die of cancer, including her partner. She is suspicious of any symptom she experiences thinking it may be the onset of a cancer and that her body is "riddled with it". I know this sounds like hypnochondria yet this is a very specific fear. I am unsure if this is treatable with hypnosis, as it seems to have a very early origin and the person exhibits an intensity which may mean it is above level C. If anyone has experienced this with a client I would be very appreciative of ideas or script suggestions...

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Anthony
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Date Dec 22nd, 2010 02:04 Re: Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

My first question to you would be, "How do you know she does not have Cancer"? Do you dare take chances that this is Hypochondria and waste time that may endanger her life? She needs a specialist, somebody she can trust....

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Robert
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Location: Essex, UK
Date Jan 03rd, 2011 10:26 Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

Hi She has been extensively tested by scans, had physical examinations and invasive procedures. Her blood markers are normal. I have physically seen these and have copies with consent. My first action was to rule-out physical illness. Therefore it is the specific fear of cancer that is the issue here and whether I can help her. Of course you are right to point out that there could be cancer present. Your point is very valid

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Anthony
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Date Jan 03rd, 2011 01:16 Re: Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

Good, you did the correct procedure, and now all that is left is to deal with the other parts of the equation, the mind and the spirit. I have no knowledge of your client, but any suggestions that includes the desire to exercise, such as walking, and particularly in a pleasant place such as a park, with the intent of staying healthy and eradicating any cancer cells that occur will be of benefit. Inform her also that the increase of oxygen from exercise kills cancer cells befor they can become dangerous... In my own practise I get those who are suffering from cancer because they come to me through our cancer hospital, so my task differs from yours. I wish you well and hope to hear that she has calmed down and is exercising several times a week.

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Robert
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Location: Essex, UK
Date Jan 04th, 2011 05:30 Re: Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

Thank you so much for your input it is very helpful

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Alison foxcroft
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Location: Herefordshire, UK
Date Feb 04th, 2011 08:56 Re: Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

I work with cancer clients and the fear that it is just waiting to return is very common - having it once has been huge trauma and made them feel very unsafe and not in control over their lives. I would think this is closely related to how this lady feels after deaths of loved ones. I get the client to accept that there will always be challenges in life - always what ifs etc but they are outside our control so its waste of time focusing on them - I use idea of driving round in car - actually quite dangerous place to be but we focus on destination, driving safely etc and dont worry about it)-use emotional energy on the here and now -how choose to feel (calm and relaxed)+ focus on challenges WHEN and IF they ever stand in front of us. Also visualising body working healthily and well - finding most calm healthy part of body and allowing that feeling to spread through them.Theres a lot you can do here to start giving her some perspective and relief.

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Susan
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Date Feb 19th, 2011 10:11 Re: Potential Client Requesting Help With All Pervasive Fear Of Cancer

Personally I would not add any suggestions about "cancer" with this client, it could feed in to her belief that she is going to contract it. I would work with the hypochondria aspect, I have had a client very similar and it took me a few sessions but he responded very well. I used an anchor to see him self confident and able to cope (which worked excellent) he was then able to use this when he felt in a health panic. I did a few sessions for confidence, always using suggestions about how unproductive worry is, working with the positive self belief he could cope with what ever life brings. This client responded well to a few CBT techniques to understand the effects his unproductive worry was having on his moods.

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