Depression is one of the most widespread and serious psychological disorders.

Before venturing into this discussion about depression, let’s first discuss the role that a Hypnotherapist will and will not play. Whilst there are some hypnotherapists who are also doctors, I, personally am not (as are most). I, therefore, cannot professionally diagnose psychological disorders, nor can I prescribe medication.

However, I can provide insight and information about depression and how hypnotherapy has been shown to help. The cognitive behavioural approach will allow you to decide for yourself whether this is something that you should seek further assistance with, be it medical, psychological or otherwise.

You may already be taking some medication or other formal measures and hypnosis, as well as these other suggestions I have, maybe a great adjunct to help alleviate your symptoms.

What is Depression?

Depression is an emotional state in which there are extreme feelings of sadness, dejection, lack of worth, and emptiness. Many times it also includes a lack of motivation and having little energy.

Many times I see depression, stress, and anxiety grouped together as if they were the same problem. They are completely different problems with their own set of symptoms and causes. Some of the symptoms and causes and treatments do overlap, however, they are different, and there are specific sections on my website to get more information about these separate issues. Click here to find out more about Anxiety. Click here to find out more about Stress.

 

Types of depression:

Depression can take on different characteristics and there are several variations of depression.

Everyone experiences times in their lives when they fell blue or sad; The loss of a loved one, losing your job, money worries, or changes in your living situation. Whichever situation you find yourself in, remember that we all feel down from time to time. The difference between feeling sad and clinical depression is that those feelings persist for a long period of time.

• The term clinical depression refers to a medical doctor having assessed you through a series of tests and has ruled out potential physical causes. 

 

• The term chronic depression relates to a dull feeling of depression that is constantly ongoing. Depression becomes chronic when symptoms persist in cycles of periods of low followed by periods of normality. This condition can be a lifelong struggle for many. 

 

• Severe depression is when a person is unable to function in normal daily life; unable to get out of bed, cook and clean for themselves or perform daily tasks such as working. Thoughts of suicide become more prevalent.

 

Causes and treatment

Scientific studies suggest that a chemical imbalance in the brain is to blame but the real cause is not known. I wouldn’t doubt that there are imbalances within the brain but the question remains; Could those chemical imbalances be CAUSED by something else? Could those long periods of sadness create the imbalance? Could emotions; such as hurt and anger, which have not been free to be expressed, cause those chemical imbalances? My hypothesis is that “chemical imbalances” absolutely are created by our own doing, be it negative thinking, unexpressed emotions or by some outside stimulus that we are reacting to.

The best place to start when comes to treatment is yourself. Perhaps you have unresolved issues, say a breakdown in a relationship or career path. Perhaps you have a health issue that has caused loss of ability which has made you anxious and stressed. Talking is a great way of releasing those pent up emotions that you have been chocking down for a long time. Cutting down and breaking out of set habits/routines that have enabled the depression to grow; Going for a walk is an easy way to increase endorphins-the feel-good chemical as too is making yourself something healthy to eat. Meet up with friends/family to watch a funny movie or do an activity (hiking, rock climbing, arts, and crafts).

Hypnotherapy offers the complete method of support as it incorporates your mind, emotions, body, and spirit. Through the deep relaxation, you are supporting your body because endorphins are released as you go into this state. As you get quiet, you let go of feelings of anxiety and experience a sense of calm and peace. You will become reconnected with the spirit within you.

Hypnosis will help you to get in touch with those emotions that need to be healed and released. You can train your mind to think about that which gives you a feeling of warmth and to see the beauty life has to offer.