Depression

Hypnotherapy & Regression Therapy

e-mail: barbara.burgess@rocketmail.com or call 01626 210330 for an appointment

Depression

Depression is a serious illness, very different to the normal sadness or blues that we all feel from time to time. When you are depressed you generally lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. Depression commonly interferes with your work, social and family life. In addition, there are many other symptoms, which can be physical, psychological and social.

Psychological symptoms:

· continuous low mood or sadness

· feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

· low self-esteem

· tearfulness

· feelings of guilt

· feeling irritable and intolerant of others

· lack of motivation and little interest in things

· difficulty making decisions

· lack of enjoyment

· suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming self or someone else

· feeling anxious or worried

· reduced sex drive

Physical symptoms:

· slowed movement or speech,

· change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased),

· constipation,

· unexplained aches and pains,

· lack of energy or lack of interest in sex,

· changes to the menstrual cycle, and

· disturbed sleep patterns (for example, problems going to sleep or waking in the early hours of the morning).

Social symptoms:

· underperforming at work,

· taking part in fewer social activities and avoiding contact with friends,

· reduced hobbies and interests, and

· difficulties in home and family life.

Depression can be triggered by external sources such as stress, bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, and job or money worries, changes in the brains chemical balance such as hormonal changes at puberty, pregnancy and childbirth and menopause or by social situations such as isolation and loneliness or lack of interests (often seen in the elderly). However there is rarely a single trigger to depression rather a downward spiral of accumulated issues. There are also specific forms of depression such as Post-Natal Depression, Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) and Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD).

People who are depressed have a lower level of certain types of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, than people who are not. It is still not fully understood whether this imbalance is a result of depression, or a cause of it. However about 20% of people have a genetic predisposition to depression caused by a gene that can affect the mood enhancing serotonin in the brain.

As many of the symptoms of depression mimic those of organic disease, such as thyroid problems, it is advisable to have a medical check-up to eliminate the possibility of a medical condition.

Hypnotherapy and Depression

Hypnotherapy can provide a different way of thinking, raise self esteem and confidence. As the root of depression lies in the subconscious and the negative patterns of thoughts held there, hypnotherapy can bypass the conscious and focus on those thoughts, finding new, positive, patterns of thought, behaviour, feelings and emotions. Hypnosis can also provide the energizing relaxation that many people with depression find hard to achieve.

Regression Therapy and Depression

Often, where the triggers for depression are specific events, such as bereavement or redundancy, it is helpful to revisit those events to gain new insights and a different point of view about them. Where repetitive negative thoughts are found it is useful to seek out the sources of these thoughts and self-talk. The subconscious will know the sources and will take you, in the safety of hypnosis, whenever and wherever that may be, sometimes even into a Past Life, so that they can be understood and transformed. This can be a life changing experience for many people as they gain a soul view of their trials and tribulations.

If depression is creeping up and must be faced, learn something about the nature of the beast: You may escape without a mauling.

Dr. R. W. Shepherd

Why do you stay in prison
when the door is so wide open?

Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.
Live in silence.

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Find a way out of that dark place