Do you have an addiction, a problem, or a fear you're just... well... OVER? I did. For years, I've suffered from a ridiculous, annoying, style-cramping fear of flying. It wasn't always like this. In my younger years, I'd fly several times a year without issue. In fact, I kind of loved it. I loved everything about flying, from the tiny little bathrooms, to the tiny little compartmentalized dinners, to the tiny little bags of salted nuts. Side note: I'm a fan of little things. Did you notice?
At any rate, somewhere along the line, things changed. I won't go into detail, nor will I bore you with my neuroses (it had nothing to do with 9/11... this nightmare started YEARS before that), but it started out mild: a general "edginess" about flying. Discomfort. Mild stress. It eventually snowballed into such a paralyzing fear that I couldn't even watch planes land or take off ON TELEVISION without feeling a panicky rush of adrenaline in my chest. Not good. Everything in me that was sane and rational told myself that flying was safe and normal and that people do it every day without crisis. But it didn't help. For the few flights that were "must takes," I medicated myself heavily with Xanax and beer.
Fast forward to a few months ago. I was required to fly somewhere, no negotiation allowed. And, due to the current gestationary-goings-on in mah belleh for the next couple trimesters or so, Xanax and beer were out of the question. Also (and for the same reason), full-blown, mid-flight panic attacks were probably not a good reason either. I needed to do something and I needed to do it PRONTO.
Enter Dr. Lee Ridner.
I'd heard about him on Tom Martino's radio program. Say what you will about Tom Martino, but I am a fan and I think he provides a fantastic service to our community. I myself have called him a half-dozen times just for general, basic-knowledge type stuff. I credit his radio show with being the reason I didn't get royally effed by the explosion of the Bad Lending Practices brew-ha-ha of 2007. "Adjustable Rate Mortgage, you offer? Tempting APR? Step off, man... it's 30 year fixed or I'm walking," I said. But that's another review to be written another time...
Anyhow... if you happen to be a smoker who wants to quit, or someone who needs to lose some weight, you're in luck. Lee Ridner offers a HALF PRICE, UNLIMITED VISITS special deal to treat these particular ailments. Meaning, you can see him as many times as you need in a given year for one flat (and very reasonable, considering what single-session visits can cost) fee. If you need to quit smoking or learn to lay off the Little Debbies, call him. NOW.
That said, my particular problem was a little more complex and didn't fall under the half-price unlimited deal. And, sadly, my finances really didn't allow me to fund the per-session fee. So, in a last-ditch attempt at healing myself, I downloaded a Hypnosis App for my phone and called up Mr. Martino to pick his brain a little bit about the process. Well, as it happened, Lee Ridner was listening to the show right when I called in... and get this! HE OFFERED TO TREAT ME FOR FREE.
That's right: FREE.
You've got to believe that someone's got faith in their methods if they'll throw down treatment just for the good of the masses. Me being the masses, of course.
I ended up doing two sessions, both of which were recorded and put on CD for me to listen to at home (for added progress). For those of you who've never undergone Hypnosis... it's not like being unconscious. I was totally aware of everything happening, but I was extremely relaxed and focused. I guess it's similar to the way some people describe meditation (tho' I know nothing about that). When I listened to the CDs at home, before bed, I'd often drift off into a semi-conscious state, only to wake again when the session ended... so I guess there's something to be said for boosting yourself in the privacy of your own home.
When it came time for me to take my flight (CD sessions transferred to my iPod and plugged into my ears the entire trip on repeat), I did it Xanax-free and relatively at ease! Sure, I had some sweaty palms during the initial takeoff and let loose with some choice words when we hit some very rough turbulance over the Rockies, but I DID IT. This is coming from a girl who couldn't even watch planes ON TELEVISION a mere month earlier. That's saying a lot.
So, thank you Dr. Ridner! Highly recommended! And if you do decide to give him a try, please tell him that Kym, "the fear of flying girl," sent you. It's the least I can do. read more