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Competition Anxiety

Client Case

Presenting Issues
Client reported intense anxiety before and during competitive events, resulting in poor performance despite strong preparation. Symptoms included nausea, self-doubt, disrupted sleep, and a fear of embarrassment or failure.
Background Information
Client is a 24-year-old semi-professional athlete who performs well in training but struggles during live competitions. They described a history of perfectionism, fear of judgment, and pressure to meet expectations from coaches and family.
Assesment
Assessment revealed a pattern of performance anxiety triggered by high-stakes environments. A cognitive-emotional profile showed:

  • Core belief: “If I don’t win, I’m not good enough.”
  • Trigger points: pre-event build-up, audience presence, and comparisons with peers.
  • Emotional imprint: pressure, shame, and fear of disappointing others.

Treatment Plan

Goals
  • Reduce physical symptoms of anxiety during competition
  • Reframe mindset around performance and outcome
  • Develop a pre-performance routine that builds calm and focus
Intervention Strategies
  • Hypnotherapy sessions to install calm confidence and focus
  • Anchoring techniques to access “flow state” under pressure
  • Timeline regression to shift internalised pressure narratives
  • List Item
  • Breath and visualisation techniques integrated into warm-up
Frequency and Duration
Weekly 60-minute sessions for 5 weeks
1 follow-up session after next major competition

Results

  1. Client reported significantly reduced nerves before competing

  2. Improved concentration and enjoyment during events

  3. Achieved a personal best in their next competition

  4. Reported greater emotional resilience after setbacks

  5. Reclaimed a sense of purpose and control over performance

"I used to dread competitions—now I see them as a chance to show what I’ve got. The difference in how I feel going into them is night and day."

Case Details

Symptoms Encountered
Pre-event nerves, nausea, self-doubt, disrupted sleep, fear of embarrassment, performance drops under pressure, perfectionism, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.