Hypnotherapy and Depression

Many people seeking help at my Plymouth hypnotherapy practice are experiencing depression.

DEPRESSION is quite different from sadness. It is normal and healthy to be sadsometimes. People may choose to feel sadness, for instance by listening to sad songs, whereas no one chooses to be depressed. Depression is a state of total mental exhaustion, in which even normally pleasurable things cannot be enjoyed. Thinking becomes difficult, so the depressed person cannot solve the problems that are making them depressed. They may feel drawn to simple but extreme solutions, such as running away or even committing suicide. Pessimistic thought becomes easier, and optimism becomes difficult. The memory is affected too- sad memories are dwelled upon, while happy memories fade. Sleep may be disturbed by excessive dreaming, so the amount of deep refreshing sleep is reduced, causing permanent tiredness. Dreaming sleep is increased, because dreams are when the mind tries to “sort through” its experiences and concerns.

HYPNOTHERAPY can help firstly by teaching you to relax and sleep better. Thus the brain is rested and refreshed, and has more power to think and solve problems. The mind can then be trained to recognise alternative explanations for events, and solutions for problems. Practical matters such as diet, physical activity and safety must also be addressed. By freeing up the imagination, hypnotherapy enables clients to imagine a better future, which is the first step towards achieving this in reality.

SOME THERAPIES ARE HARMFUL in depression. Since depression is an emotional disorder, it is dangerous for depressed people to focus on their feelings by talking at length about how they feel. If you feel worse after your therapy session then you are having the wrong therapy!