The Blues

Depression is very common indeed. Sometimes it's a fleeting experience that we have when life goes awry for a while; sometimes, for some people, it can be a more devastating and life-darkening experience which may go on for a protracted period of time.

What is sometimes known as clinical depression brings with it an intense sadness, or despair, that affects everyday life. For some this may mean keeping away from social activities or friendships. For others it may mean difficulties at work, school or in daily interactions with people. As you probably know, this form of depression is more severe than just having the blues or feeling sad for no reason at all. You can't just snap out of it. Clinical depression includes experiencing one of the following major symptoms for two weeks or more:

• Anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events (food, sex, social activities, exercise)
• Depressed mood

And at least five of the following, again that exhibit for two weeks or more:
• Unexplained loss of energy (mental or physical)
• Change in appetite leading to unplanned weight gain or loss
• Feelings of overwhelming sadness or fear
• The inability to feel any emotion at all, like an empty feeling
• Change in sleeping patterns (sleeping more or having trouble with sleep)
• Feeling very irritable
• Loss of hope, feeling helpless
• Intense feelings of guilt
• Feeling worthless
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Frequent thoughts of death, or wanting to die
• Suicidal thoughts, with or without a plan
• Lack of self-esteem
• Physical aches and pains, often thinking they may be signs of a serious illness
• Self-hate and poor self-image

Although most of my clients would of course (and rightly so) see a physician before they contact me for an appointment due to depression, we have found that hypnotherapy potentially can decrease some of the symptoms that add to your depressed feelings, and may certainly brighten your mood. Your GP can rule out any other major mental disorder, or indeed any physical ailment which is making you feel 'blue'. This is a great starting point.

Hypnotherapy can do this by:
• Boosting confidence
• Enhancing the belief that your traditional treatment plan will work
• Decreasing pain perception
• Improving sleep (which can do wonders to improve mood)
• Increasing motivation for activities (social interactions, exercise, others)
• Improving perception of self-worth
• Improving belief about a brighter future
• Enhancing coping skills to stressful events

I'm always available for questions which you may have; either by email or phone/SMS.

There is an alternative to 'The Blues'.