by Rob Hadley

Created on: July 28, 2008   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

Hypnotherapy is one of the most effective methods to relieve depression. It is addresses not only the presenting symptoms, but when applied properly can identify the cause and often either reduce the onset or the intensity of the experience.

For many clients managing their depression is the only option. The medical profession effectively medicates many such patients, with no prospect of a 'cure'. When antidepressants are prescribed it generally means an open ended course of treatment. In the case of SSRI antidepressants this generally results in addiction. The side effects, ironically, can include depression and suicidal thoughts.

The hypnotherapeutic solution to managing depression will generally include post hypnotic suggestions that combat the effects of depression. These may include a desire to get out and exercise, to improve diet and to work on positive and creative activities. These are simple, yet very effective means to combat depression. Additionally, placing a suggestion to encourage the client to talk about their feelings with a spouse or loved one can provide support during depressive episodes - making suicidal thoughts far less likely.

The effective treatment of depression, however cannot centre purely on the management of the condition. Understanding its origins for the individual concerned is important. It may well be that a traumatic event in the clients early childhood can be pinpointed to the time that the issues first appeared. When doing so, it may be possible to literally unhook the trigger and response' relationship. Alternatively, one can reframe the experience to subtly alter it in the mind of the client. The results of doing so can be startlingly effective. It's interesting to note that while hypnotherapy tackles the question of the origin of the issue, and remedying the cause most allopathic (mainstream medical) approaches deal only with the symptoms. There is no attempt to actually stop the issue occurring.

There is no doubt that the causes of the client's depression can be identified through regression in many cases, though not all. This in turn allows a hypnotherapist to identify the trigger of the episode. Once this is done, the trigger can be either disabled, or avoided by the client. This is not voodoo. It works.

As a practicing hypnotherapist I work with these issues every day. Hypnotherapy brings relief to a great many of my clients. It's not a magic wand; however it can be used to help bring relief to people suffering the debilitating effects of depression.

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