Depression
Treating Depression with Hypnotherapy
Most people are likely to feel down and depressed at some time in their lives, although it is true that some people are more prone to depression than others. It is important to seek professional help if you feel you may be suffering with stress, anxiety, panic attacks and/or depression.In a lot of cases, Hypnotherapy can be an effective way to help individuals cope/manage difficulties associated with conditions such as Stress, Anxiety, OCD and Depression. So do not despair, therapy could help you get your life back on track!
What is Depression?
Depression is often described as a feeling of lethargy, a bit like having the ‘flu’. Some people say it is a bit like ‘having a black cloud hanging over you’, ‘being stuck in a dark tunnel or hole’ or ‘seeing the world through dark glasses’. The feeling of depression is deeper, longer and more unpleasant than short periods of unhappiness that we all experience from time to time.
Check the signs and symptoms of depression.
An Emotional Block
Feeling depressed is different to feeling sad because it is ‘a state of emotional block’ and sufferers often say they feel nothing/dead inside. Whereas sadness is a deep, powerful emotion and even though it hurts, it makes us feel alive.
It’s Easy to miss the Signs
It is important to remember that depression isn’t simply a case of either you’re depressed or you’re not. There’s a gradual progression from feeling blue to the full clinical illness as described above, and not everybody suffers every symptom. This can make it difficult for friends, family and loved ones to spot, and is why people often don’t even realise how depressed they are. They simply try to struggle on and cope by keeping busy. This can make them feel even more stressed and exhausted, sometimes causing physical pains such as constant headaches, stomach aches, backaches and sleeping difficulties.
Anger, Anxiety and Fear
Some people can be churning inside with anger and resentment yet rarely show it, so they become irritable, snappy and complain more. This is why depression is often thought of as ‘anger turned inwards’. Usually the sufferer feels guilty about expressing their thoughts and feelings so they become depressed and get stuck in a negative vicious cycle. Depressed people usually feel increasingly vulnerable, and things that they may have done easily before seem frightening. Anger, anxiety and fear are very much part of depression, as these emotions trigger off our natural instinctive ‘fight or flight survival response’ increasing our stress levels.
Understanding Depression
It is important to remember that once a person is in a depressive phase, it takes time and patience to come out of it. It is not as easy as just “Pulling yourself together” as some non-sufferers and unsympathetic observers often suggest. Listening and being non-judgemental is more helpful. If you can help the sufferer realise that they need to seek professional help then even better, however the person has to want to change – you cannot do it for them, and they must always make the first step on their road to recovery. Depression can often be the catalyst that makes a person change their life for the better, so they end up doing what they really want!
What causes Depression?
Sometimes there is an obvious reason for becoming depressed, and other times it isn’t so clear. There is usually more than one cause and different people have different reasons. For some people it may be because of a relationship breakdown, redundancy, the birth of a child or a bereavement. Whereas for others it can be too many demands on their time or too many life changes in too short a space of time. Whatever the reason it is important to take the first step and seek professional help.
Seeking Professional Help
There are two types of treatment available, talking treatments and medication. Medication can be effective if the depression is severe or goes on for a long time. It can also help with anxiety, panic attacks and sleeping difficulties to help the sufferer deal with problems effectively again. However, medication can have side effects and doesn’t always deal with the root cause(s) of the depression. It is therefore important to consult your GP and a Professional Therapist such as ourselves to help you decide the best plan of action. Sometimes combining medication and therapy is the best option, and other times the sufferer prefers therapy to medication.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy could help you get to the root(s) of your problem. When you are truly committed and motivated, the important reprogramming work we do during therapy helps you achieve positive behavioural changes so you can cope differently in future. There will always be a certain amount of stress in your everyday life, it is how you react to it that is important. If you really want to change your life then you can, you just need a bit of help!
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