Hypnotherapy In CheltenhamCheltenham Hypnotherapy for Depression

with Collette Tupling | 07739 085 686




Main menu: Home | Hypnotherapy | Meet Collette | Issues Treated | Appointments | Fees | Contact

Hypnotherapy in Cheltenham with Collette Tupling

Hypnotherapy for Depression

Understand It, Treat It, and Beat It!

Hypnotherapy for Depression in CheltenhamMajor depression is the 4th most disabling condition in the world, and 2nd most in the developed world. As well as the human cost, the burden on society is incredible.

Depression is at epidemic levels in the UK, affecting 1 in 4 people, which is surprising given that we also have amongst the highest usage of anti depressants, surely we should all be better?

While depression is a highly treatable condition, there are no quick fixes. There are however, more permanent, side effect free, and definitely more rewarding routes to beat depression, than just taking anti-depressants, and modern Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is at the forefront. If you experience depression, whether you're on anti depressants or not, please call for a chat.

It also doesn't matter whether you're a teenager or a pensioner, depression can hit at any time, and the age when we it first hits is getting younger.

Causes can vary from a relationship breakdown, bereavement or work related issues. Every persons experience differs. When feeling depressed we often feel alone in the world and that nothing can help our situation.

Hypnotherapy can help by increasing serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine levels, the bodies “ happy” chemicals that help maintain a health state of mind and enable you to cope effectively making you feel more motivated. Lack of these chemicals also has an effect on our appetite, mood, memory and learning ability. Probably one of the biggest affects is on our sleep, leaving us exhausted.

Depression is often exacerbated by alcohol, drug use and smoking. Hypnotherapy is considered one of the best ways to treat this.

Each person experiences and manages stress in their own way, our coping skills - or lack of them - come from learning from those around us as we're growing up. It's because of this, depression comes in so many different forms and depression symptoms are so varied.

There are many unhelpful myths about depression, some of which may be actually prolonging your misery, so to achieve a quick recovery it is important to understand that mild to moderate depression:

  • Is not a disease or biological illness
  • Is not an inevitable consequence of unpleasant events
  • Is not caused by genetics

When we have any setback in life negative feelings of frustration, worry, anxiety, anger or guilt are common.

But if, instead of dealing with the situation, we continue to go over and over what's troubling us, then we create negative expectations that can begin the cycle of depression. By creating a mountain of negative expectations this over-stimulates the autonomic arousal system, which is why depression is such a strong emotion. All strong emotions focus and lock our attention but with depression attention stays focused on all the 'bad' things that seem to be happening to us, whether real or illusory.

Overcome Depression with Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy, combining hypnosis with a Solution Focused approach, helps us understand why our brain reacts the way it does enabling you to break the cycle of depression.

The treatment works essentially by looking at reducing anxiety levels often associated with depression (and which are often a key factor in causing insomnia in the depressed person). Once anxiety is reduced the focus moves to establishing positive aspects of your life and identifying areas of activity that will enable you to look to the future - making choices on how you want life to be. You will learn to have more control over your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so that you can take back control.

You CAN get your life back and start doing the things you want to.

What About Anti-Depressants?

Anti-depressants are often prescribed to people suffering with depression as they provide the brain with Serotonin helping to lift your mood. There are other more natural ways that Serotonin can start flowing again including exercise, diet, relaxation and hypnotherapy.

Anti-depressants for example just slow the reabsorption of our natural serotonin back into our bodies, but we must have some flowing around our systems to start with!

If you are taking antidepressants, sedatives, sleeping tablets, we can still work together, (keeping your GP informed) to help you start creating those ‘ happy chemicals ‘ for yourself.

How to Recognise Depression

There are degrees of depression from the mild to the severe or chronic. It can be that you just feel aimless, helpless, hopeless, anxious, and indecisive, lack concentration or have poor self-esteem. Your sleep may be disturbed you may feel tired all the time and you have a sense of humour failure. These feelings can last from a few minutes to weeks at a time.

Someone with major depression will be diagnosed professionally from the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders or DSM. Depression is categorised as a mood disorder and it includes 5 or more of the following symptoms that have been present over a two-week period: -

  • Diminished ability to think, lack of concentration, indecisiveness
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, sleeping too much
  • Fatigue, loss of energy
  • Depressed mood most of the day, feeling empty, sad, or tearful
  • Loss of interest and motivation in daily activities
  • Feeling irritable, angry, restless, grouchy on an ongoing basis
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, guilt
  • Recurring thoughts of death

If there are manic episodes where you feel exceedingly high then feel absolutely dreadful, this could be Bipolar and medication is the best solution for this problem, as it is different from clinical depression. It is important to visit your GP.

There are also various specific forms of depression including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Postnatal Depression. These can both be improved considerably with hypnotherapy.

Cheltenham Hypnotherapy for Depression

By understanding how our brain works and identifying simple “ steps to positive change” you can begin to relax, become more in control of your life, and simply recognise for yourself what needs to be done to enable you to start living your life happily again.

No turning over past unhappiness, looking for reasons, no reliving miserable memories, in fact the complete opposite!

We can change the way we think and override the natural response, but - it can take time. It's not an instant magic wand. If you want to learn to play the piano you have to practice, if you want to be free of depression you need to practice. We can work together successfully but at the end of the day you've got to decide you want help, you have got to decide which is going to be best for you and you've got to want to change.

Take a positive step to change now by calling 07739 085 686 or 01242 279 562 to find out how hypnotherapy can help lift your depression and to book an initial consultation in Cheltenham.

Back to Issues Treated with Hypnotherapy >>>