Choice Theory, Hypnosis and The Art Of Not Loosing It

A Survivors Guide

Long ago, when Pop Glossop traded his stethoscope for a life of growing mellows in the meadows, Dr. Batti Mallappa took over as the chief of the psychiatry department. Now, it’s Siddaramiah Bellad—better known as Sid—who’s stepping into the role. Naturally, this transition led to a classic coffee-fueled conversation on how people seem to be increasingly overwhelmed by, well, everything.

Batti Mallappa, ever the staunch advocate of William Glasser’s Choice Theory, was quick to remind us that we always have control over our responses. I, on the other hand, reflected on my own learnings from hypnotherapy—something I picked up later in life (one might say after a fair bit of my own overwhelm).

Let’s be real: feeling overwhelmed is universal. It sneaks up on you when you’re knee-deep in deadlines, navigating the emotional minefield of family WhatsApp groups, or simply trying to find a moment of peace in a world that insists on sending notifications at all hours.

Some common triggers? Ah, let me count the ways:

1. Workload Overkill: When your to-do list starts looking like the Great Wall of China, and yet, somehow, your inbox still manages to surprise you.
2. Personal Life Shenanigans: Family drama, relationships, and the ever-looming question of what’s for dinner.
3. Surprise Plot Twists: Life-changing events that drop in uninvited—like job loss, unexpected relocations, or the fridge deciding to break down right before a heatwave.
4. Time Deficit Disorder: That nagging feeling that 24 hours are simply not enough to be a functioning adult.
5. Digital Avalanche: We live in an era where even a five-minute Google search can leave you drowning in information (some useful, most irrelevant, and a few that make you question humanity).

So, how do we deal with all this? Unfortunately, many of our go-to responses are about as effective as using a sieve to carry water:

• Avoidance: That towering pile of laundry isn’t going to fold itself, but somehow, we convince ourselves that ignoring it is a viable strategy.
• Procrastination: Because nothing says productivity like watching “just one more” episode.
• Overworking: Running on caffeine and sheer willpower until burnout comes knocking.
• Isolation: Shutting the world out in an attempt to cope, only to feel even more disconnected.
• Distractions Galore: Social media scrolling that was meant to be a ‘quick break’ but somehow turns into an existential crisis at 2 AM.
• Unhealthy Habits: Replacing stress with snacks, smoking, or the occasional impulse online shopping spree. (Who knew I needed a mini cactus-shaped tea infuser?)

A more effective approach? We take a page from William Glasser’s playbook and apply Reality Therapy:

• Focus on the Now: Instead of spiraling over past mistakes or future anxieties, deal with the present moment.
• Evaluate Your Choices: Ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing actually helping?” (Spoiler: binge-watching cat videos is probably not a long-term solution.)
• Identify the Root Cause: Are you overwhelmed because you lack control, connection, or just sleep?
• Make a Game Plan: Small, actionable steps trump grand, vague resolutions.
• Drop the Blame Game: Beating yourself up or pointing fingers won’t make your situation any better.
• Stay Connected: Support systems exist for a reason. Even a quick chat with a friend can be grounding.
• Patience, Grasshopper: Change takes time. Baby steps over burnout any day.

Now, if you’re looking for something more immersive, hypnotherapy is a game-changer. Think of it as an internal ‘reset’ button that helps you:

• Relax Deeply: Because stress hormones are so last season.
• Rewire Negative Thought Loops: Ever catch yourself spiraling? Hypnotherapy helps replace unhelpful patterns with better, healthier ones.
• Visualize Calm: If your brain can imagine handling stress gracefully, it’s one step closer to actually doing it.
• Tap into Your Subconscious: The part of your mind that quietly holds onto old fears, limiting beliefs, and that embarrassing memory from 8th grade.
• Build Emotional Resilience: So you don’t feel like you’re one email away from snapping.

At the end of the day, feeling overwhelmed is human. But so is finding ways to rise above it. If any of this resonates with you, maybe it’s time to explore your own toolkit for managing life’s chaos.

And if you ever want to discuss it further—whether through the lens of Choice Theory, hypnotherapy, or just a good old-fashioned conversation—I’d be happy to chat. After all, we’re all navigating this madness together.

Drop me a message. Or, you know, take a deep breath and start with step one.