depression

Depression

Hypnotherapy (combined with CBT techniques) is now widely accepted as being effective at treating depression.

Not only can it boost the manner in which we think of ourselves, but it can also address the root causes of depression in the first place, allowing a more long term solution to be found.

Anti-depressants can be effective at stabilising mood (and are recommended for the major depressive disorders) but they don't address the source of the depression. For some, the anti-depressants help to lift their mood and motivation enough to leave their troubles behind them, but sadly for most this is not the case and depression is something that tends to recur throughout their lives.

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A swift solution

  • Usually, the sufferers of depression find the motivation required for long treatments very hard to come by. So for them, the shorter the treatment is, the better. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is also recognised as effective with depression and it addresses long term changes in how we think too. However the treatment itself is relatively long and requires significant motivation to achieve success. Hypnotherapy combined with CBT techniques is usually more swift and effective. Because of this it is more likely to be concluded successfully by someone running short on motivation.

  • Hypnotherapy also has the advantage of being able to quickly address and reprocess the origins of the depressive disorder e.g., by going back to any significant events using age regression techniques. It is common to hear these days that 'depression is caused by chemical imbalance in the mind'. That pills are the only solution. However, life does sometimes throw huge difficulties at us and it is obvious that e.g., grief or loss, substance dependency, chronic pain, phobias etc, all cause profound low mood. It might seem a bit 'chicken and egg' but it makes sense that persistent low mood causes the chemical imbalance in the first place so ultimately depression follows if the sources are not addressed.

A complete solution

The typical hypnotherapy treatment combines addressing the sources of the depression, breaking negative thought cycles, regaining a sense of control and rebuilding self-belief and self-worth.

Hypnotherapy can also be very helpful by inducing relaxation, reducing distraction, encouraging new thinking, maximising concentration, amplifying experiences, and providing access to subconscious thought processes.

Symptoms

If you think you are suffering from these symptoms below you should consult your GP for treatment as soon as possible. Also, seek help from friends or relatives, regardless of any pride that might be 'at stake'. Depression is a serious condition, but it is also a normal response to excess pressure and is extremely common. 12% of people in the UK seek treatment for it at some point in their lives.

Even when under medicinal control, hypnotherapy can then be of great benefit in treating the underlying causes, in coming off your anti-depressants, and in preventing future recurrence of depressive episodes.

  • Loss of interest & pleasure in normal activities

  • Sad, depressed mood

  • Disturbed sleep patterns

  • Major change in activity level (either lethargic or agitated)

  • Major change in appetite (weight gain or weight loss)

  • Feelings of worthlessness and guilt, self-blame, self-reproach

  • Loss of energy, great fatigue

  • Difficulty in concentration, thinking and decisiveness

  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

  • Increase in activity level

  • Unusual talkativeness, rapid speech

  • Need less than usual amount of sleep

  • 'Racing thoughts'

  • Inflated self-esteem; belief that you have special talents, abilities and powers

  • Indulgence in excessive pleasurable but 'self-destructive' activities

  • Attention easily distracted

Hypnotherapy Treatment to Help Depression

Depending on the situation and client typical methods of treatment for the milder forms of depression might be:

Hypnotic suggestion

First (for major depression) is to give your self esteem a massive boost. Then to learn how to destroy negative thoughts before they arise (by changing the automatic negativising of the sub conscious mind into automatic positive interpretations). i.e. all those negative automatic thoughts become automatic good ones.

CBT-techniques

These can be used to identify which key thought processes create the most problems and what would be a more productive way to think about them. These new insights can then be learned powerfully and quickly using hypnotic suggestion rather than the traditional CBT route (which requires a great deal of effort as you have to systematically change the way you think about yourself and events).

Symbolic imagery in trance

These techniques are generally excellent for handling past emotional experiences, and reducing feelings of guilt, blame, anger, loss, fears, anxieties, etc.

Hypnotic regression

This is a great and very relaxed way to safely revisit traumatic or disturbing events that may lie at the heart of your troubles. With relaxed, closer attention (in trance), new insights and improved perspectives usually reveal themselves, which can allow you to deal more thoroughly with what has happened and move on positively.

Timeframe

This varies from person to person and with the severity of the depression.

Contact Me

To discuss anything you need to (no obligation), or to book in, please ring me on 07719 833 814 or use the form below.

Alternatively you can email me at enquiry@hypnotherapyderbyshire.net.

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