Sherwin Bodsworth

24/11/2023

A Comprehensive Look at Anorexia and recognising the signs.

Anorexia and Bulimia are serious eating disorders. They can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background. My experience with clients over the past twenty years treating these disorders has taught me that this mindset more often than not is the result of unpleasant experiences, media-driven, or unresolved trauma in childhood, and can be treated successfully with Hypnotherapy. People suffering from this type of illness do not think about food and their bodies in the same way as other people.
The main symptom of anorexia is losing a lot of weight deliberately. For example by eating as little as possible, making oneself vomit, and overexercising. They will want their weight to be as low as possible, much less than the average for their age and height. They may be so afraid of gaining weight that they cannot eat normally.
After they have eaten, they may try to get rid of food from their body by making themselves sick regularly. Signs of regular vomiting could include: leaving the table immediately after meals, dental problems such as tooth decay or bad breath, caused by the acid in vomit damaging their teeth and mouth.
The need to obsessively burn calories usually draws people with anorexia to ‘high-impact activities, such as running, dancing or aerobics. Some people will use any available opportunity to burn calories, such as preferring to stand rather than sit.
They may try to make food pass through their body as quickly as possible. For example, by either taking laxatives or medication that helps to empty the bowel or diuretic medications that help remove fluid from the body. In reality, laxatives and diuretics have little effect on the calories absorbed from food.
Eating and food
Although anorexia means loss of appetite, people with anorexia do not usually lose their appetite; they like food and feel hungry. However, they do not think about food in the same way as other people. This can show itself in various ways. For example, they may tell lies about eating, or what they have eaten, give excuses about why they are not eating, pretend they have eaten earlier, tell lies about how much weight they have lost or gained, find it difficult to think about anything other than food, counting the calories in food excessively, avoiding food they think is fattening, hiding food, cutting food into tiny pieces – to make it less obvious that they have eaten very little, and to make the food easier to swallow, taking appetite suppressants, such as slimming pills or diet pills.
They may also drink lots of fluids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea and low-calorie fizzy drinks, as these can provide a low-calorie, short-term burst of energy. Some people with anorexia also begin to use illegal stimulant drugs known to cause weight loss, such as co***ne or amphetamines.
Self-esteem, body image and feelings
People with anorexia often believe that their value as a person is related to their weight and how they look. They think other people will like them more if they are thinner, positively seeing their weight loss. They often have a distorted view of what they look like. For example, they think they look fat when they are not. They may try to hide how thin they are by wearing loose or baggy clothes.
Many people will also practise a type of behaviour known as body-checking, which involves persistently and repeatedly weighing themselves, or checking their body in the mirror.
Anorexic people usually have low self-esteem or lack confidence. They may withdraw from relationships and become distant from members of their family and friends. They often suffer from Maladaptive perfectionism.
Anorexia can also affect studying, job performance and find it difficult to concentrate.
They might lose interest in their usual activities and have fewer interests despite being always busy.
Other signs of anorexia
Eating too little for a long time can result in physical symptoms, such as fine downy hair growing on their body, p***c hair becoming sparse and thin, pain in the abdomen, feeling bloated or constipated, have swelling in their feet, hands or face (known as oedema), experience low energy levels, as their sleep patterns may have changed, have low blood pressure, feel cold or have a low body temperature, feel light-headed or dizzy
In children with anorexia, puberty and the associated growth spurt may be delayed. They may gain less weight than expected and maybe smaller than other people of the same age.
Women and older girls with anorexia may stop having their periods, which can also lead to infertility.

03/02/2022

Due to the increase of Eating disorders in teenagers being reported in the news recently. I have decided for the foreseeable future to offer sessions at a reduced rate of £30 to parents of teenagers suffering from this issue. Please visit the blog page on my website www.sherwinbodsworthhypnotherapy.com to read more about Eating disorders and many other emotional issues. Or contact me on 07891 492945

03/02/2022

Due to this increase of Eating disorders in teenagers being covered in the news recently. I have decided for the foreseeable future to offer sessions at a reduced rate of £30 to parents of teenagers suffering from these issues. Please visit the blog page on my website www.sherwinbodsworthhypnotherapy.com to read more about Eating disorders and many other emotional issues, or contact me on 07891 492945

Sherwin Bodsworth Hypnotherapy supports people with a range of treatments to support many common complaints both online and in-person. As a fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist, Sherwin's empathetic approach to clients is backed up by countless 5-star reviews

24/07/2021

Here is another online therapy success story from a recent client, which can be viewed along with 55 others on my website. "I have been struggling for around 6 years with bulimic tendencies, coupled with low self-esteem and confidence issues surrounding my body and appearance. I previously used counseling services which upon evaluation, didn't really make me feel much better. A close friend of mine had recommended Sherwin's hypnotherapy services to me a couple months prior and I decided to try it out. I had sessions with Sherwin online through Zoom which despite not being face-to-face, it still felt very comfortable and we could still converse with ease. I think it also helped as you were doing the sessions in the comfort of your own bedroom, which made the process less nerve-racking. Actively seeking help for wanting to fix an issue is always a big step forward, and I am so pleased to say that Sherwin really helped my issues and my whole way of thinking about myself. I have now gone the longest period in years without purging, which I thought was not possible, all thanks to Sherwin's help and I would encourage anyone with similar issues to give hypnotherapy a go!"
University Student - 29 Jun 2021

16/05/2021

Why chose Hypnotherapy to treat Anorexia Nervosa
How hypnotherapy helped a 19 year old girl break free from Anorexia in just a few months. Because of the increase of eating disorders in children and teenagers, I thought it important to share this information again, which was posted on my website by a recent client. “I started seeing Sherwin last autumn, after being diagnosed with anorexia a few months before. At the time of my diagnosis a couple of weeks before I was due to start university, I weighed 5 stone and was fast tracked to NHS mental health services, but despite their best efforts I was not cooperating with treatments, and my weight gain was minimal. My doctors told me not to go to university, and that it was likely I would become extremely ill and maybe die if I did go. However, I went against all advice and started Uni. But as expected, my health declined further to the point where my doctors decided I needed to stop my studies to have inpatient care as soon as a bed was ready. But I was desperate to stay at university. At that point, my mum suggested Sherwin and I had my first session. I found his approach of relaxing me and teaching me how to control my anxiety incredibly helpful, and suddenly I no longer felt like I was being controlled by an illness, and my weight began to increase. I continued to see him weekly for a few months, and also benefitted from the help Sherwin gave me outside of sessions, including quickly replying to my emails when I was having a bad day, sending me multiple recordings, and being able to arrange an appointment at short notice- including when I stopped seeing him regularly. I used to only eat vegetables and mainly lettuce, but I am now able to eat a wide range of foods. Thanks to his help, I was able to stay at university, and a few months later I finished the year with a first” People suffering from this illness usually have low self-esteem and lack confidence, they don’t think about food and their body in the same way as other people, and have a distorted idea (a false perception) of a healthy body, and will go to extreme limits with eating habits, or self-harming to maintain that idea. Anorexia is without doubt a serious illness. My experience with past clients has shown me that it’s often the result of unpleasant childhood experiences, an unresolved trauma, or it can be driven by social media. Our behaviour, perceptions, habits, and fears are deep-rooted learned responses, which become instinctive and natural to us like everything else we have learned. They surface from the unconscious mind and have complete control over us. Most people I have helped free from this illness had tried many other therapies, which were of little help with this type of illness. I would recommend to anyone who suffers from Anorexia, or Bulimia to try the efficacy of Hypnotherapy. Please feel free to contact me through my website www.sherwinbodsworthhypnotherapy.com with any questions about this illness, or any other eating disorders.
Sherwin Bodsworth PH D. MSHTC.

07/03/2021

I have often written about the effects Post traumatic stress can have on peoples lives and how it can be lifted. Here is another wonderful example posted on my website which I hope will encourage people with similar problems to seek help.

"I contacted Sherwin because he was recommended by a friend. I have suffered life long anxiety issues from childhood unhappiness. In truth, I didn’t know the exact cause of my misery because I had suppressed the memories. My anxieties were deeply entrenched in my thinking processes, in how I perceived the world and in my reactions to others. I was functioning from a place of fear. I have taken antidepressants and beta blockers on and off since I was 17 and I am now 63. I have also had counselling, but fundamentally nothing changed. I had never considered hypnotherapy and quite honestly didn’t think it would work.
In the first few sessions with Sherwin I could feel myself trembling and my heart beating erratically. On some level I even fought the hypnotherapy process by not relaxing; but I stayed with it. It was after the fifth session that real change occurred. I was out walking when memories of the past came back. I don’t think I will ever forget the relief, even joy, when I recognised the cause of my unhappiness. For a week after that I went through a roller-coaster of emotions; anger, acceptance, relief, blame, forgiveness - I went round in circles until finally I felt a calmness. The churning in my stomach stopped.
I saw Sherwin twice more after that and I know that he has given me the opportunity and the tools to embark on a new life. A life based on an understanding of myself and others and a life that is not governed by apprehension. I am no longer a victim of my past. I have a choice: I can mentally regurgitate my past pain or I can choose to think about all the positives in my life. I now recognise the negative thought patterns that I was trapped in and when they occur (and quite honestly that is less and less now) I can redirect them to a positive, happy path. I am not saying that life is going to be wonderful every day, but I have the tools to deal with issues in a calm and thoughtful way. I feel free. Thank you Sherwin".
Patricia Barnett

17/01/2021

The success and efficacy of online therapy, plus an easy, effective breathing technique to relieve stress, anxiety, and calm a troubled mind quickly.
I have been using online hypnotherapy successfully for quite a few years now, and exclusively for the last ten months since the first lockdown. Treating adults, teenagers, and children suffering from Stress, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Addictions, Anorexia, and many other emotional issues, at the same time as building their confidence, enhancing their skills, and creating a more positive outlook on life strangely, our enforced lockdown has enabled me to help far more people than I would have imagined. Using Facetime, zoom, and WhatsApp I have been able to continue helping people not just in the UK, but much further afield. I do understand how difficult it can be for people to take that first step of speaking to a stranger and feeling a little unsure about it, but encouraging them to do a free test session has helped remove their doubts. By setting up a time and place in their home where they can have privacy is not difficult, in fact, it is even possible to do this on a smartphone using earphones. More and more I am finding after the initial session clients feel comfortable, safe, and secure in their own environment, and are able to speak freely about any issues they are struggling with. Reading through past client's experiences on my website can give you more confidence and understanding of the efficacy of this therapy. When a new client begins their first session, I teach them a breathing technique that they can use in their everyday life if and when they feel stressed or anxious, (obviously not when they are driving), and it only and only takes about four minutes, but is an invaluable tool that quickly relaxes them and has been known to waylay a panic attack. This exercise is called ‘ seven-eleven breathing. Here is how to do it, make yourself comfortable, close your eyes and focus inwards on your breathing, when you are ready you slowly, calmly, and gently breathe in through your nose and as you do so in your mind count from one to seven, then breathe out through your mouth counting backward in your mind from eleven to one, then breathe normally for a few seconds continually thinking to yourself calm and relaxed on each out-breath, not allowing your mind to wander, then repeat this exercise three more times. If you find yourself in a particularly stressful situation, or you are leading up to a stressful event you may need to do another three or four sets. It is important to concentrate on the numbers to prevent your mind from wandering while breathing naturally begins to relax you. By practicing this technique it will eventually become second nature to you. If for some reason you can not breathe through your nose it is perfectly acceptable to breathe in through your mouth. However, when breathing out it is always through your mouth. If the situation you find yourself in doesn’t allow you to follow a full breathing technique, you will find by taking a few slow deep breaths in through your nose and much longer breaths out through your mouth (like a long contented sigh) will act as a beneficial quick fix. The long slow breath out is the key.
I hope you find this useful and welcome any comments.
www.sherwinbodsworthhypnotherapy.com

16/11/2020

Some helpful thoughts for coping with these unusual times. I would imagine by now most of us will be practicing good hygiene and spacial awareness, but what of the emotional strain of coping with this situation we continue to find ourselves in. I now people are worried, some even frightened. There is a saying in my business " what you think on you get more of " Remember that hidden, sometimes deeply within every challenge, is an opportunity
I hope what I am about to impart will be helpful to keep your emotional life as balanced as possible in these unusual times. I know for a fact positive emotional changes are possible, I see them every day.
It helps us if we can get into a routine and try to stay with it. Routine focuses the mind and gives us a sense of direction.
It’s a good idea to get up at the same time each morning and go to bed at the same time each evening no matter how you are feeling.
Regular good quality sleep is essential to good health, it strengthens our immune system. Also daily regular exercise if possible, especially outdoors in nature is beneficial to our health in many ways, it gives a feel good factor by creating endorphins that lighten our mood. Inactivity can create lethargy and depression.
Being isolated actually gives us the opportunity to do many positive things. Try to get outdoors as much as you can within your own environment, while adhering to all the precautions in place. If you have one, get out in the garden. Research has shown being out in nature and absorbing the natural beauty surrounding us thirty minutes each day is extremely beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing.
We can use this time to study, learn a new skill, lose weight, stop smoking, keep a diary or write a book, learn yoga or meditation. Stay fit with a YouTube fitness class, or dig out that old yoga DVD. Or perhaps do some cleaning or decorating. Practising a musical instrument, do an online course, or read the complete works of Charles Dickens. As the festive season is nearly upon us you could make some Piccallily, Pickled onions or bake Christmas cake.
There are so many things we can do. I’m sure you can think of many more.
We can use this time to help others from a distance, (one of my clients is helping deliver food parcels). Communicate with family and friends on facetime or zoom, connect and actually have conversations rather texting.
Worrying is easy when all we do is worry. But now might be a time to really engage in some deep learning and perfecting of skills. Mind you, not worrying is easier said than done, and that may take some practice too.
Life goes on no matter what, each moment is a moment lost, never to return, so why not make the best we can of this time. We can’t change the past and we can only predict the future, so why not make the most of each moment, of each hour of each day. The only true reality is right here, right now. So immerse yourself in the moment as positively as you can.
We can come out of this wiser, emotionally stronger, and more intelligent.

11/11/2020

The success of online hypnotherapy, plus an easy, effective breathing technique to relieve stress, anxiety and calm a troubled mind quickly.
I have been using online therapy successfully for quite a few years now. Treating adults, teenagers and children suffering with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Addictions, Anorexia and many other emotional issues. But in a strange way our enforced lockdown has enabled me to help far more people than I would have thought possible. Using facetime and zoom I have been able to continue helping people not just in the UK, but much further afield. Understandably some new clients have felt a little unsure about online therapy, but by encouraging them to do a free test session helps to remove their doubts. Setting up a time and place in their home where they can have privacy is not difficult, in fact it is even possible to do this on a smart phone using earphones. More and more I am finding clients feel more comfortable, safe and secure in their own environment, and are able to speak freely about any issues they are struggling with. So, the first thing I teach new clients is a breathing technique that they can use in their every day life when they feel stressed or anxious, (obviously not when they are driving or operating any kind of machinery), and it only and only takes about four minutes, but is an invaluable tool that quickly relaxes you and has been known to way lay a panic attack. This exercise is called ‘ seven eleven breathing. Make yourself comfortable, close your eyes and focus inwards on your breathing, when you are ready slowly breathe in through your nose and as you do so in your mind count from one to seven, now breathe out through your mouth counting backwards in your mind from eleven to one, now breathe normally for a few seconds continually thinking to yourself calm and relaxed, not allowing your mind to wander, now repeat this exercise three more times. If you find yourself in a particularly stressful situation, or you are leading up to a stressful event you may need to do another three or four sets. It is important to concentrate on the numbers to prevent your mind from wandering while the breathing naturally begins to relax you. By practicing this technique it will become second nature to you. If for some reason you can not breathe through your nose it is perfectly acceptable to breathe in through your mouth. however when breathing out it is always through your mouth. If the situation you find yourself in doesn’t allow you to follow a full breathing technique, you will find by taking a few slow deep breaths in through your nose and much longer breaths out through your mouth like a long contented sigh will act as a beneficial quick fix.
I hope you find this useful and welcome any comments.

Touching our face is the most common way of ingesting a virus, other than airborne respiratory droplets. It is an instinctive and unconscious habit which this recording will help to break.

26/07/2020

Nothing gives me more pleasure or satisfaction than a client writing about how they life has been completely transformed like this lovely lady recently wrote.
"Changed my Life. If you are considering seeing a hypnotherapist and aren’t sure about it, then I would ask you “What have you got to lose? ” You can go just for one session and see if it could be helpful for you. Sherwin is a very caring and thoughtful man who will set you at your ease. He has a lot of life experience and is very patient. He will listen to you as an individual and tailor sessions to help you. I went to Sherwin when an excessive workload led to stress and burnout for me, which in turn worsened an existing condition of anxiety that I had. I was in a very low place when I went to him. There have been a number of people in my life who have and are helping me along a path to better mental wellbeing, but I can honestly say that Sherwin has changed my life. It will depend for everyone how their hypnotherapy sessions progress. For me personally I had some experiences from my childhood to work through and put to bed, a couple of things from my personal and adult life and then Sherwin helped build my self-esteem which had been at rock-bottom. I had some ideas about hypnotherapy before I tried it which were not at all accurate (e.G. Sherwin doesn’t have a swinging fob-watch! Not that he uses in sessions anyway). I’ll try and describe it for you as best as I can. Being in a state of hypnosis is like that state between waking and sleeping and it can be very relaxing. You don’t lose control of yourself and you can come out of it at any time if you want to, but because your brain is a little bit more “switched off” than usual it’s easier for you to access your thoughts, feelings, memories, underlying worries than it is in normal daily waking life. That means that it’s a more effective way of having therapy. I now think that hypnotherapy could be useful for so many different people. I ended up having quite a few sessions with Sherwin, and although the sessions weren’t super cheap to me (what service or item of quality is?) they were worth every single penny a hundred times over.

27/06/2020

Whether I see people sitting in front of me , or in the present situation on Face time or Zoom, receiving reviews like this make it all worthwhile.
"I had been hearing about Sherwin for years, through my clients. People told me how he helped them turn their lives around. So last October I decided it was time to reach out to him, as my life was gradually becoming more unmanageable. The pace of my life was ridiculous. I was burning the candle on both ends. I felt like I was on a hamster wheel, going nowhere fast. I had no work life balance, I was exhausted, I wasn’t sleeping, I had lost weight, I felt like I was burning out. The simplest tasks were beginning to overwhelm me. So I reached out to Sherwin. He made me see that I was so caught up in the pace of life, I was in survival mode and I wasn’t looking after myself. I have to say it was the best decision I have made. He helped me recognise the issues that were causing me anxiety and stress. Using CBT and hypnotherapy ( which I was sceptical about) He helped me work through and deal with grief that I thought I had dealt with. Loss of my parents and my husband in my 20’s, that I had thought I had dealt with, but I hadn’t. After my first session I felt so much better. The hypnotherapy/ Deep Relaxation. Is how I would describe the hypnotherapy aspect of my therapy. I felt refreshed, as if I had slept for a month. As each week went by I started to feel stronger. The panic attacks disappeared , I started to question my life and what was important to me. By Dec. I was feeling so much better. All the aspects of my life that caused me pain, I thought about from different perspective xx I felt positive and optimistic about life again and I began to explore and embrace all the opportunities available to me. I am pleased to say I have taken a huge leap of faith and changed my whole life around, with Sherwin's continued support, even after I have finished my therapy. For me seeing Sherwin has changed my life. I have recommended several people to him since and continue to do".

23/06/2020