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Hypnotherapy for Depression
What is depression?
"I felt like I was really tired, all the time. I had no energy or emotion about anything."
Most people experience low mood at times, but for some of us, this feeling just doesn’t go away, and this can affect all aspects of your life, including your work or study, your relationships or your ability to look after yourself and others. Everything can feel harder to do and seem less worthwhile.
“I felt like a failure as a person, family member, and friend. I’d receive praise at work but still feel worthless "
People have a lot of different symptoms associated with depression. You may feel:
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Upset or tearful
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Restless, agitated or irritable
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Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
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Isolated and unable to relate to other people. You may avoid social contact.
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Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
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A sense of unreality, empty and numb
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No self-confidence or self-esteem
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Hopeless and despairing
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Tired, or have physical aches and pains
Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
What does depression feel like?
You may find it difficult to speak, think clearly or make decisions. It can be hard to remember things or concentrate. Depression may affect your appetite, your libido or your sleep. Some people increase their use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco to cope. You might use self-harming behaviours to cope with difficult feelings. At its worse, you may feel suicidal.
“It’s like falling into a black hole. My whole being is weighed down, and doing anything, walking, talking, takes a massive effort”
Sometimes we are able to mask our true emotions, so those around us don’t know how bad we are feeling.
"Depression is smiling when others laugh, hiding behind the fabricated mask, and wishing I could just disappear."
How hypnotherapy can help
We know that people who suffer with depression are under a great deal of stress and so the deep relaxation and and rest induced by hypnosis is hugely beneficial. And because depression is an emotional state, it can be treated very effectively with hypnotherapy.
We will work with you to help you understand what causes and maintains your depression. Hypnosis can then be used give a different perspective on past events, and break the cycle of focussing on negative thoughts. We will rehearse more positive ways of feeling and thinking, and reprogramme the brain to allow the possibility of hope.
Hypnotherapy for Depression Success Story
Jamie, an 18 year old, explained he was really struggling with his low mood and anxiety. "I no longer enjoy driving my car", he told us, "As I am scared all the time that I might crash. Some days I just sit in my shower because I am unable to stand up."
Jamie had lost interest in his schoolwork and was unable to revise for his upcoming A-levels. He had suicidal thoughts and was considering harming himself.
We treated him with a combination of hypnotherapy, mindfulness and journaling. After 3 sessions, Jamie came into the room, beaming. “I feel so much better”, he told us. “I’ve been out with my girlfriend, just driving around. I feel happy and motivated when I get to school”. Jamie no longer felt suicidal and said he was no longer at risk of self harm.