Can Repressed Anger Be Causing Untreatable Migraines?

Tim Shurr • June 17, 2021

Sue walked into my office with tears in her eyes. “I am so desperate for relief, and this is my last resort. I’ve tried everything to get rid of my migraines, and I don’t know if Hypnosis will help, but I’ve got to do something.”  

I gently guided Sue through an Awakening Experience using my One Belief Away method. In a deeply relaxed state, she recalled a sexually abusive experience at the age of ten. Sue said, “I felt so angry and confused, but I was afraid to say anything because people might think it was my fault that this happened.”

As Sue went through the process of rescuing the younger version of herself, releasing the toxic energy that had been shoved down for so long, and upgrading the limiting beliefs she didn’t even realize were there, a visible weight seemed to lift off of her. All this occurred during our first one-hour session.

At the start of our second session one week later, Sue sat down with a look of surprise and aggravation on her face. “Tim, I can’t believe this has happened. I have not had one headache since our last session. Even starting that session, I felt a headache coming on and was worrying about what the night would be like. But by the time the session was over, the headache was gone. I’ve been going to a top-rated Migraine clinic in Illinois for over ten years and have never gone more than a day or two without a headache. I’m both joyful and mad that it took so long to get to this moment.”

I smiled and replied, “Sue, that anger is one of the reasons for why the headaches lasted so long, so let’s find a more useful approach.” She smiled back and nodded her head in agreement. Then Sue continued. “I thought the stuff we talked about last week had been resolved from the counseling I went through years ago. Yet, so much emotion came up, and I remembered always trying to push it back down. It’s like this pressure has been building up inside me all those years and it’s finally been released.”

Sue’s experience is not unique. Many clients have found relief from migraines and chronic headaches once they released the unexpressed anger, rage, shame, or resentment formed after experiencing traumatic events, particularly physical and sexual abuse. Those situations are painful, but it seems like the unconscious beliefs that develop afterward are the real poison. It’s those opinions of oneself and others that produce chronic tension, mistrust, keeping one’s guards up all the time, insomnia, substance abuse, etc.

Common false unconscious beliefs produced after trauma include:

  • I’m not safe.
  • I’m not lovable.
  • I’m broken.
  • It’s my fault.
  • I’m dirty.
  • Nobody will love me.
  • Others don’t think I’m good enough or worthy of protection.
  • I’m going to hell.

These ideas build up emotional pressure that makes one’s head feel like shooting off into the sky or explode like a boiling teapot that cannot release its steam. However, as soon as the pressure is discharged and those false beliefs are replaced with self-love and acceptance, most have immediate and lasting relief.

The correlation between unexpressed toxic emotion and physical distress has been validated for some time. Yet, most still choose to treat the physical symptoms with pain medication, which often does nothing except produce unwanted side effects. If you wish to remove a weed from your yard, pull it out at the root rather than cutting off the top part. Otherwise, it will just grow back. Start thinking of your mind like a garden that contains mental weeds. If you want it to be healthy, remove the weeds at the roots and focus on planting more flowers (love, encouragement, support, security).    

There is always hope. If you’ve been suffering, find an experienced Hypnotherapist (IndyHypnosis.com) or use the exercises in my  One Belief Away  book or online course ( www.happyandsuccessful.me ) to free yourself from needless emotional suffering today!

Tim Shurr, MA, is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and expert in helping people find relief from physical and emotional anguish, even when nothing else has worked. He’s the author of six books, including his latest, One Belief Away ( http://www.onebeliefawaybook.com ), and is the host of the popular podcast, How To Be Mesmerizing! (MesmerizingPodcast.com)

Athletes Reveal How Hypnosis Improves Sports Performance

By Tim Shurr • September 23, 2025
The difference between winning and losing in sports often comes down to more than physical strength or skill. At the highest levels, athletes know that the real edge lies in the mind. Confidence, focus, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are what separate champions from the rest of the field. At Indy Hypnosis, athletes are finding that hypnosis provides the mental boost they need to reach new levels of performance. Sports psychologists have long said that competition is as much a mental game as a physical one. Even the best training can fall apart when nerves take over or self-doubt creeps in. Hypnosis addresses these mental blocks directly by reprogramming the subconscious mind to respond with confidence, clarity, and determination. One young athlete came to Indy Hypnosis struggling with performance anxiety. On practice days, he excelled. But when it was time to compete, his nerves took control and his results fell short. After a series of hypnosis sessions, he broke through the mental barrier and went on to set five new personal records. “I didn’t feel nervous anymore,” he explained. “I felt like I could just do what I had trained to do.” Professional and recreational athletes alike report similar stories. Golfers find their swing more consistent. Runners feel a newfound endurance. Weightlifters hit personal bests without the voice of doubt holding them back. What all these athletes share is the realization that once the mind stops working against them, their natural ability shines. Hypnosis also helps with recovery. Injuries often leave behind not only physical scars but also mental ones. An athlete recovering from a torn ligament may hesitate, afraid of pushing too hard and risking another injury. Through hypnosis, those fears can be reframed, allowing the athlete to return with full confidence and a stronger focus on healing. Science backs up what these athletes describe. Studies show that hypnosis can improve concentration, reduce stress hormones, and increase motivation. By visualizing success under hypnosis, athletes create mental “rehearsals” that make the real event feel familiar, boosting confidence and performance on game day. For many, the biggest surprise is how natural the shift feels. They do not have to force positivity or pretend to be confident. Instead, confidence emerges as the default setting. “It wasn’t about tricking my brain,” one athlete shared. “It was about finally trusting myself.” Sports are built on fine margins, and those margins are often mental. With hypnosis, athletes are discovering that the edge they have been searching for has been inside them all along—waiting to be unlocked. If you are ready to take your performance to the next level, schedule a free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today and discover how hypnosis can help you win from the inside out.

Conquer Stress and Lower Anxiety With a Proven Hypnosis Method

By Tim Shurr • September 19, 2025
Stress has become the background noise of modern life. From deadlines at work to family responsibilities and the constant buzz of technology, it is no wonder that anxiety levels are at an all-time high. For many people, the pressure feels relentless, and traditional coping strategies like deep breathing or exercise often provide only temporary relief. At Indy Hypnosis, clients are discovering that hypnosis offers a deeper, more lasting solution. Unlike quick fixes, hypnosis works by calming the mind at its source. Stress is not just a reaction to circumstances; it is also the product of thought patterns that magnify worry and fear. The subconscious mind, which governs much of our emotional response, often gets stuck in loops of “what if” thinking. Hypnosis gently interrupts those loops, replacing them with calmer, more empowering messages. Clients frequently describe their sessions as surprisingly peaceful. One woman said it felt like “an hour-long vacation for my brain.” By the end, her racing thoughts had slowed, and she carried that calm with her long after the session was over. Another client, who had battled panic attacks for years, reported that the intensity and frequency of her episodes decreased dramatically after beginning hypnosis. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, she now feels in control. Science supports these experiences. Studies show that hypnosis can lower heart rate, ease tension, and reduce cortisol, the stress hormone that wreaks havoc on the body. This makes it more than just a mental shift; it is a full-body reset. Clients often notice they sleep better, concentrate more easily, and approach daily challenges with a clearer head. Perhaps the most striking difference is how natural it feels. Instead of forcing relaxation, hypnosis allows the mind to release its grip on anxious thoughts. As one client explained, “It wasn’t about pushing stress away. It was like my brain finally remembered how to relax.” Stress and anxiety do not have to rule life. With the One Belief Away Method, people are finding that the heavy burden of worry can be lifted, replaced with a steady confidence that carries them through each day. If you are ready to quiet the noise of stress and experience lasting calm, schedule your free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today. Relief is closer than you think.

Stop Smoking for Good With Hypnosis That Works

By Tim Shurr • September 19, 2025
For decades, quitting smoking has been one of the hardest challenges people face. Nicotine patches, chewing gum, prescription medications, and countless “quit plans” have promised results, yet relapse rates remain high. Many smokers desperately want to stop, but the grip of addiction seems stronger than sheer willpower. At Indy Hypnosis, however, clients are finding a path to freedom that feels both possible and permanent. The secret lies in addressing the mind, not just the habit. Smoking is not only a physical addiction but also a deeply ingrained behavioral pattern. For many, lighting up is tied to stress relief, social rituals, or even simple routines like a morning coffee. Trying to stop without addressing these subconscious connections often leads to frustration and relapse. Through hypnosis, those patterns begin to shift. The subconscious mind, which controls much of our automatic behavior, can be reprogrammed to disconnect cigarettes from their old triggers. Instead of fighting the urge every time stress arises, clients find the desire to smoke naturally fading. One client who smoked for thirty years described the experience as “like flipping a switch.” After her session, she no longer craved cigarettes, and the thought of smoking felt out of place rather than tempting. Another powerful story came from Yovanna, who struggled with smoking for three decades. She had tried everything else and felt convinced she would never break free. After working with Indy Hypnosis, she walked away from cigarettes with a sense of calm rather than struggle. What surprised her most was how natural it felt. “I wasn’t forcing myself to quit,” she explained. “I just didn’t want to smoke anymore.” Beyond individual accounts, science has also shown hypnosis to be effective in smoking cessation. By directly addressing the subconscious, it bypasses the endless battle of willpower and offers a smoother path forward. Hospitals and clinics around the world now include hypnosis as part of smoking cessation programs, validating what clients at Indy Hypnosis have been experiencing for years. What makes this method stand out is not just the success of quitting but the permanence of the change. Instead of feeling deprived, clients feel free. Instead of counting days since their last cigarette, they begin building new routines filled with energy, confidence, and health. Breaking free from smoking is not about giving something up. It is about reclaiming life. Clients report breathing easier, feeling more energetic, and rediscovering a sense of control they thought they had lost forever. If you are ready to stop smoking for good and experience true freedom, schedule your free consultation with Indy Hypnosis today. The next chapter of your life can begin smoke-free.