Here in the U.K.? It is reported that 1 in 6 people suffer from some form of mood disorder. But, how can hypnosis and hypnotherapy help with overcoming depression?
Depression is characterised as a mood disorder. Anybody who experiences moods can develop this problem, just as anyone who has a body can become ill.
Moreover, depression is on the rise, but is it surprising when we consider all the challenges, we must face each day. We switch on the T.V. and we are bombarded with the threat of global war, high interest rates, food price increases and the list goes on.
Why and How?
However, there are specific factors that determine if someone is vulnerable to becoming depressed. Here’s a few of them…
- How we think…
- How we perceive life events…
- Trauma…
- Difficult childhood experiences…
- Chronic health related problems…
- Elevated levels of Perfectionism …
- Poor coping skills…
- Poor diet…
- Chronic health issues
- Lack of decision-making skills…
One person’s path into depression is different to another’s. Just like one person’s path out of depression is different to somebody else’s. Anyone can get depressed. It’s just that people have diverse ways of doing it.
The important thing to remember about depression is that there are several facets to it. Many people believe that it’s a biological disorder (there is truth to this ). As a result, the use of anti-depressants has been on the rise in recent years, but it is important to realise that psychological and social issues, by far, play the most significant roles in creating depression.
The Process
Rumination plays a key role in causing depression. Rumination involves spinning thoughts around in our heads. As an example: A narrative that begins with the words ‘What if’ usually finishes with some catastrophic outcome. We all do this sometimes, of course, but when it becomes a regular way of thinking we set ourselves up for potential problems. For some, this way of thinking may be part of their problem-solving strategy, ‘Albeit not a very useful one’.
How we perceive what happens to us is another factor. We all respond differently to life events. If ten people were fired from their jobs, there could be many different responses. Some may tell themselves that they are a failure, or life is so unfair. A few might respond with, ‘What a relief, now I can go and find another job that I enjoy’. Another person might see it as an opportunity to take a break and travel the world.
The point is, there are all sorts of ways people might respond to difficult and challenging life situations. These may be positive, or negative.
Moreover, when it comes to depression there is no medication that will cure it, ‘nor will there ever be!’ This is because, the road to recovery involves learning new skills. These could be cognitive skills, or behaviour modification. And no amount of medication can help with this.
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for Change
What we focus on becomes amplified. Hypnosis is a key tool for doing this. A significant part of solving a problem is how much we can focus. A good example of this is weight control. Without focus it would be difficult to achieve a desired weight.
Hypnosis is a powerful tool for developing focus. When a client is suffering from depression, hypnotherapy, along with other psychological strategies can be a highly effective therapeutic intervention.
When a person is struggling with depression part of the reason, they find it difficult to recover is that they tend to make ‘Bad choices along the way. As an example, avoiding alcohol is crucial if a person is depressed. However, if a client is told ‘Stop drinking’ there is a strong chance, they won’t – BAD CHOICE!
Hypnosis helps to influence behaviour, in a positive way.
Along with other psychological strategies it can transform this debilitating mood disorder, fast, in many cases just a few sessions. This, of course, depends on many factors, everyone is different. It does this by focusing on how a person creates their depression and then using `their inner strengths to create positive change.
To Summarise:
Depression can be caused by many different things, social influences and psychological distress being the two most common culprits.
Medication has its place. And as a short-term intervention, can be helpful. However, to create lasting changes, and to avoid relapse, new cognitive skills may be required, along with lifestyle adjustments.
Hypnotherapy can dramatically help. It’s a powerful tool, when combined with other psychological approaches… In addition, it’s natural and gets to the core of what needs to be changed.
One of my mentors, Dr Michael Yapko, wrote a wonderful book on the subject ‘Depression is Contagious‘. You can find it at Amazon.co.uk
You may also find this talk by Michael…interesting…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVgQ_tgWMyU
Until Next Time!