Why Consider Hypnotherapy For Depression
Depression treatments require the ability to change the way the brainâs wiring connects and functions– sometimes this is done through the chemicals found in antidepressants. There seems to be a prevailing attitude towards depression treatments that what we have currently works fine and more clinicians need to hop on the bandwagon.
However, traditional medical treatments for depression do not always work. People are not all one size, and neither are their mental illnesses– so neither should their treatment be one size. Antidepressants do not work for every depression patient, and some patients have terrible side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or allergic reactions, from them that are just as bad as the depression, and might even contribute to it. Other, milder side effects– such as a lower libido, constant digestive issues, bowel issues, weight gain, dry mouth, excessive sweating– definitely donât boost morale.
Even if the patient is unable to utilize hypnotherapy to such an extent, it can help the patient to regulate and relieve symptoms of depression that can interfere with other treatments and morale. These symptoms can include insomnia, or bad behaviors that exacerbate depression such as excessive drinking, smoking, or drugs. Letâs not forget other forms of escapism, such as binge eating or over-sleeping.
What Are The Ages Treated In Regression Hypnotherapy
Events that influence your beliefs about yourself and your life are typically formed before the age of 8 or 10. Events and environments in very early childhood can be impactful. The beliefs formed already in the early years get confirmed and become stronger in the following years.
Traumatic events that happened in your adulthood can also play an important role and be treated in age regression therapy.
Is It All Just A Placebo Effect
Its possible, but hypnosis shows marked differences in brain activity. This suggests the brain reacts to hypnosis in a unique way, one thats stronger than a placebo effect.
Like hypnosis, the placebo effect is driven by suggestion. Guided conversations or behavioral therapy of any type can have a powerful impact on behavior and feelings. Hypnosis is just one of those therapy tools.
Hypnosis rarely causes any side effects or has risks. As long as the therapy is conducted by a trained hypnotist or hypnotherapist, it can be a safe alternative therapy option.
Some people may experience mild-to-moderate side effects including:
- situational anxiety
However, hypnosis used for memory retrieval is a controversial practice. People who use hypnosis in this way are more likely to experience anxiety, distress, and other side effects. You may also be more likely to create false memories.
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Keep This In Mind When Looking For A Hypnotist To Treat Depression
You should always consider some facts before completely getting into hypnosis once youve made up your mind that you are about to try it. The first and the foremost thing that you cannot ignore at any cost is that you should always find a hypnotist that you can trust. Do proper research, and inquire about the background of a hypnotist before devoting your mind to him.
You must never stop focusing on your motivation if you want to change. You should always be sure to stay confident at all times. Make sure that your hypnotist is knowledgeable enough so that you and your hypnotist can work together as a team and fight your depression.
Make sure that your hypnotist is not forcing you into anything. It is your hypnosis session, and you are the controller of it. If you cant achieve a particular state, your hypnotist must cooperate with you.
Overall, it takes a significant amount of courage to practice the technique of hypnosis which is considered so difficult, yet it is so comfortable with the right amount of concentration. One should never ignore the adverse effects too, but the positive ones are much more than the negative ones.
Does Hypnosis Work For Depression
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique. For those of you who dont know what hypnosis is., it is termed as the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction.
Depression can be cured easily using depression as hypnosis can be used to suppress sad memories, or even recover happy memories and moments in a persons mind. Hypnosis can be used to allow modification of a persons behavior.
The use of hypnosis has always been a subject to a lot of controversies, but the technique of hypnosis has been revived in recent times. It is reasonably effective as the people who are suffering from depression usually possess a brain which can easily be manipulated. There are no particular side effects of hypnosis.
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Pros & Cons Of Hypnotherapy For Ptsd
As with any therapy, there are pros and cons for treating PTSD with hypnosis. Some of the pros include lack of side effects, immediacy of relief, and the ability to resolve underlying issues, while cons include varying results, lack of national standards, and lack of access to insurance for hypnotherapy, so one is likely to pay out of pocket.
Pros of hypnotherapy for PTSD include:
- Drug-free: Although drug therapies are common for treating PTSD symptoms, the risk of adverse side effects are likely. Hypnosis relies on expanding a natural state of mental and physical relaxation and side effects are rare.9
- Immediate results: People can oftentimes find immediate relief from PTSD symptoms when receiving hypnosis treatment. Even if symptoms temporarily return after a session, follow-up techniques such as focused breathing, progressive relaxation, and anchoring can be applied as needed.
- Resolution of underlying issues: As mentioned before, PTSD has its roots in past traumatic experiences. Hypnosis alone or as an adjunct to other treatments can help the person resolve the psychological effects of traumatic memories.
Cons of hypnotherapy for PTSD include:
What Are The Drawbacks Of Hypnosis
Hypnosis might not be appropriate for a person who has psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, or for someone who is using drugs or alcohol. It should be used for pain control only after a doctor has evaluated the person for any physical disorder that might require medical or surgical treatment. Hypnosis also may be a less effective form of therapy than other more traditional treatments, such as medication, for psychiatric disorders.
Some therapists use hypnosis to recover possibly repressed memories they believe are linked to the person’s mental disorder. However, the quality and reliability of information recalled by the patient under hypnosis is not always reliable. Additionally, hypnosis can pose a risk of creating false memories — usually as a result of unintended suggestions or the asking of leading questions by the therapist. For these reasons, hypnosis is no longer considered a common or mainstream part of most forms of psychotherapy. Also, the use of hypnosis for certain mental disorders in which patients may be highly susceptible to suggestion, such as dissociative disorders, remains especially controversial.
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Managing Depression Through Hypnosis For Depression
Psychotherapy can help treat depression. Psychotherapy, aka talk therapy, includes many treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy for depression is a deeply relaxing experience. When using hypnosis for depression, you will be in a state of intense focus during which you can develop new tools to help you manage your depression.
You can calm your emotions and stop catastrophic thinking in its tracks. You can end rumination and quiet your mind. You can even boost your ability to cope, managing your moods and emotions more effectively with hypnotherapy for depression.
Depression can be difficult to manage, but at Renewed Edge, we can help you move into the light through the power of hypnosis therapy for depression. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our certified hypnotherapist or to learn more about your depression treatment options.
Using Trance To Treat Trance
Hypnosis, not as a therapy but as a delivery system for therapy, is only as good as the competence and practice of the clinician delivering it. If the therapy is positively orientated, enabling, constructive, and solution-focused, then hypnosis can magnify those benefits hugely.
Im glad to say that psychotherapy has progressed tremendously since my days nursing patients like Kevin. This is good news for depressed patients, who can finally access the powerful healing hypnosis can deliver.
Depressed people are stressed people. We know this objectively, because they have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bloodstreams.
So any treatment for depression should include deep rest and relaxation to give the client a break from the exhausting effects of depression. Hypnosis, one of the most soothing, relaxing experiences available to our patients, should not be overlooked for short-term relief.
Hypnosis can also be used to help reframe past events constructively, and rehearse new ways of feeling and thinking. It can calm the brain down enough to start to feel hope and set realistic goals.
Hypnosis may not be the active ingredient, but it is a part of therapy often a vital part, helping important messages hit home.
Those who dont understand the fundamental nature of hypnosis and its role in learning, healing, and overcoming emotional difficulties, may still talk of contraindications.
But alas, not a good one.
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How Does Hypnosis For Depression Work On Patients
Patients often ask, does hypnosis work for depression? Targeted hypnosis for depression allows patients to enter a physically and mentally calm state. This relaxed state allows them to feel more open-minded and able to work through their life experiences differently. The hypnotherapist delivers guided relaxation techniques, giving the patient the ability to focus and concentrate on their subconscious more. The hypnotherapist can then help them remove the triggers that contribute to or worsen their depression in a manner that is free from bias, distraction and emotion. This allows patients to eliminate their symptoms without the threat of re-traumatisation. These sessions are 90 minutes in length, beginning with the patient getting into a comfortable position. A hypnotherapy depression treatment program provides a safe and controlled environment, helping patients release the negative emotions linked to their depression. This allows them to eliminate their depressive symptoms and effectively raises their quality of life. From changing perception to behaviours associated with depression, a person who has undergone hypnotherapy can reach good mental and physical health without the risks of excessive medication or invasive treatments. Hypnotherapy promotes positive feelings and increased feelings of wellbeing, while effectively resolving the underlying causes of the depression in a safe, sustainable manner for long-term results.
Is Hypnotherapy An Effective Depression Treatment
Image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.
Have you ever seen someone be hypnotized by a stage or street magician? Many of us have seen the stereotypical image of a so-called âhypnotistâ manipulating people like puppets into clucking like chickens, performing weird tasks, or eating strange foods. You may even have seen someone use hypnotism to help someone overcome a fear of snakes or spiders.
But have you considered that it may be useful– in the hands of an experienced and licensed clinician– in treating depression?
Itâs true. For the many people who have tried traditional antidepressants in the past– or are doing so now– and havenât had any measured improvement, hypnotherapy could be a game-changer.
In this article, weâll discuss:
- How its used to treat depression
- Treatments that compliment hypnotherapy as a depression treatment
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What Other Therapies Combine Well With Hypnotherapy For Depression
Since hypnotherapy is typically used in conjunction with other therapies, it may well be an excellent add-on to a treatment plan already in action or about to start. The two most popular therapeutic methods that combine well with hypnotherapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.
Is One Session Enough
Although one session can be helpful for some people, most therapists will tell you to begin hypnosis therapy with four to five sessions. After that phase, you can discuss how many more sessions are needed. You can also talk about whether any maintenance sessions are needed as well.
Although hypnosis is slowly becoming more accepted in traditional medical practices, many myths about hypnosis persist. Here, we separate reality from falsehoods.
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Hypnosis Helps You Relax
People with depression and anxiety are often extremely tense. Depression and anxiety typically increase stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, as the mind is preoccupied with negative and threatening possibilities.
Many people with depression or anxiety dont even remember what it feels like to relax deeply. Hypnosis can help reacquaint them with the feeling of deep relaxation so they can relax more completely on their own.
Have You Considered Self Hypnosis For Anxiety & Depression
An incredibly practical and cost-effective option, self-hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular due to its utilitarian nature. With self-hypnosis, things can be done according to each individuals preferred pace, rather than a therapists work schedule, and it can be done anywhere and at any time, so theres no need to book time off work. Its also considerably cheaper than visiting a hypnotherapist, as a single session in the UK will cost you a minimum of £50.
Unfortunately, hypnotising yourself is not straightforward and that is why a lot of people rely on audio aids to assist them. Self-hypnosis mp3 are amongst the most popular audio aids available today, as they are quick and easy to download and can be listened to through various devices. If you choose a self-hypnosis download from Mark Bowden Hypnotherapy, youll also be able to access the session through our app.
If youre sceptical about trying self-hypnosis for anxiety and depression, you can try 2 sessions for free simply by subscribing to our newsletter. To subscribe, simply submit your name and email address via the orange banner along the top of your screen. You can also get a 7-day free trial when you .
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Depression Help From Hypnotherapy
Coping Skills
Hypnosis can empower our ability to cope, first by recognizing the minds response to a triggering event, then by helping to alter the way we respond to these triggers.
Remembering Past Positivity
Enhancing CBT
A study done by the American Psychological Association concluded that utilizing CBT in combination with hypnosis provided a more effective treatment in a shorter time. Hypnotherapy frees the mind to be more receptive to CBT, as well as increase expectations of the benefits of CBT.
If you feel your current treatments for your depression just arent working out the way you hoped, maybe it is time you considered hypnotherapy. Try using this technique with other methods of treatment. You may find its exactly the kind of help youre looking for, and need.
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Healing Soul Hypnosis and a clickable link back to this page.
Who Is Mark Bowden
All of the hypnosis downloads available through our app or from our website have been created by Mark Bowden. Accredited with the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, Mark is also a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council. He has worked closely with celebrities, business leaders and professional athletes, and also produced the first-ever inflight hypnotherapy session in partnership with British Airways.
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Are There Risks Involved With This Therapy
While hypnotherapists think that their treatment is more effective than other forms of treatment, they do acknowledge that there are certain risks involved.
First, the patient may become reliant on the therapist, leading to an unhealthy relationship.
Also, in severely depressed patients, the revisiting of painful memories and experiences may lead to an increased risk of suicide.
How Can You Practice Hypnosis At Home To Help Fight Depression
Hypnosis is a technique which can be very easy for people who can focus on things very quickly. It can be learned by anyone who has great will power, and someone who can concentrate. Learning hypnosis can be as easy as learning meditation. Here, this meditation is used to connect oneself from the subconscious mind.
Self-hypnosis is the technique of hypnotizing oneself with the proper amount of focus and concentration and hence connect oneself to the subconscious mind. Such hypnosis can be practiced anytime and anywhere.
It doesnt take much time as it depends solely on the amount of concentration of the person. The most basic type of self-hypnosis involves sitting of a person in an upright chair then the person has to recite a hypnosis script to himself. There are a lot of scripts available for different purposes. For example, there are scripts available for mood, depression, anxiety, or any other condition that is associated with depression.
You can start practicing this anytime. Just take out some free time and find a quiet place to surround yourself with positivity. If you are not interested in reciting a script, you can also download some hypnosis recordings and listen to them while sitting in an upright chair and relaxing your mind.
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What Happens To The Brain During Hypnosis
Researchers at Harvard studied the brains of 57 people during guided hypnosis. They found that:
- Two areas of the brain that are responsible for processing and controlling whats going on in your body show greater activity during hypnosis.
- Likewise, the area of your brain thats responsible for your actions and the area that is aware of those actions appear to be disconnected during hypnosis.
Takeaway
Distinct sections of the brain are visibly altered during hypnosis. The areas that are most affected are those that play a role in action control and awareness.