ABSTRACT
Edgy and exhausted from continually failing to control his body’s stress response, Azran – “Az” – was referred to me by a therapist who’d tried unsuccessfully to help him with hypnosis-infused relaxation training. Any time Az had to deal with someone he deem ed an “authority figure” – a teacher, coach, supervisor, cop, doctor – he would become hyper-alert and self-conscious, which was soon followed by intense anxiety. The same sensitivity would arise whenever he felt another person’s eyes staring at him. Unfortunately, this was not an infrequent occurrence, as he had the face of a movie star and the powerful build of a professional athlete. An accomplished tennis player and gifted graduate student, he moved gracefully and spoke eloquently.
