For over 30 years I had occasionally woken abruptly in the night in a highly distressed state convinced that I had swallowed something which had become 'stuck' in my oesophagus. The feeling was not one of choking rather that I was not going to be able to breathe. Over the years the items 'swallowed' included my purse, candles, socks and even the phone – landline not mobile!

During the daytime I did not experience this feeling with such intensity but would occasionally feel a slight claustrophobia or have to consciously work at breathing regularly. I have no memory of any unpleasant experience relating to these feelings. It was not effecting my everyday life . . . until I went to the dentist in late summer 2005. During a prolonged root canal treatment I suddenly became convinced I was going to swallow the x-ray plate in my mouth. The panic was real and very frightening – for my dentist too!

A few weeks later I needed more treatment but was unable to face it. My dentist told me that some of her other patients had successfully tried hypnotherapy with Julie, to overcome dentalphobia – my fear was different but I thought it was worth trying . . . I did not want to swallow my dentist!

I enjoyed my session with Julie. Her explanation about the unconscious mind remembering bad habits resonated with what I had been experiencing. I did wonder about the 'tapping' and 'chanting' (Emotional Freedom Technique EFT) but in fact have used that on numerous occasions over the past year. I left the session feeling very hopeful.

My dental appointment was the following week. I arrived in quite an anxious state as I felt that all my eggs were in one basket . . . what if it did not work? I employed the EFT in the waiting room where thankfully there was no-one else.

The dental procedure began and when it reached the stage where I had panicked the previous time a calmness came over me and the very clear, rational thought came into my head – 'Don't be stupid it's impossible to swallow these things they are too big' and everything was fine.

I left the dentist feeling quite liberated.

Thank you

Jane (Leeds)