Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, causing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. While traditional treatments such as therapy and medication can be effective, some people find that they need additional support. Hypnotherapy can offer a complementary and alternative approach to managing depression symptoms, and it has been shown to be an effective tool for many people. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of hypnotherapy for depression.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnotic suggestion, is a form of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis to help individuals achieve a state of deep relaxation and heightened focus. In this state, the mind is more open to suggestion and the individual is more able to access and modify unconscious thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that may be contributing to their depression. This can help the individual to gain new perspectives and insights, overcome limiting beliefs, and make positive changes in their life. Researchers best describe hypnotherapy as being fully absorbed in a book or movie, or similar in practice to meditation. There are many benefits to hypnotherapy, such as treating insomnia, anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and many other disorders. Below we will take a closer look at some of the ways hypnotherapy is used as treatment.

Key benefits of hypnotherapy for depression

Benefit 1: Hypnotherapy helps individuals cope with stress and anxiety

Depression is often accompanied by feelings of worry, stress, and anxiety, which can make depression symptoms worse. Hypnotherapy can help to reduce these symptoms by teaching individuals stress-management techniques and working with the unconscious mind to address the root causes of anxiety. By addressing these root causes, patients can work with therapists like our team at Life Balance Therapy San Antonio to help reframe these negative thoughts or experiences and alleviate anxiety. While research is still being conducted, it has been found that hypnotherapy has lowered anxiety from cancer, surgery, and other dental and/or medical procedures. Other anxiety-provoking medical issues such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) have been found to be treated with hypnotherapy as the practice also promotes treating the direct issues caused by anxiety.  

Benefit 2: Hypnotherapy helps individuals develop a positive outlook on life

Depression can make individuals feel helpless and hopeless. Hypnotherapy can help shift this perspective by changing limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns, promoting a more positive outlook on life, and improving the individual’s overall well-being. Any habit can be “unlearned” and negative thought patterns are habits that can be successfully broken through hypnotherapy. The brain is constantly looking for automated responses, so in order to change a negative automatic response, such as negative feelings, we must intervene. The practice of hypnotherapy introduces new brain cell networks to current brain cell networks through the power of suggestion. “Using hypnotherapy, it’s like we can join a person in the maze they are stuck in, grab them by the hand, lead them out and introduce them to new areas” says hypnotherapist James Brannan. 

Benefit 3: Hypnotherapy helps individuals who are struggling with medication-resistant depression

While medication can be effective for many people, some individuals do not respond well to traditional treatments, and they may feel like they have run out of options. Hypnotherapy can provide a complementary approach that can help these individuals to manage their depression symptoms, even if other treatments have not been successful. In some studies, it has actually found that hypnotherapy was significantly more effective than antidepressant treatment on depression. Many struggle to seek a perfect concoction of medications that suppress their depressive symptoms, and often times take years to feel like themselves or at least relieved of their symptoms. Hypnotherapy allows patients to find thier deepest level of consciousness, allowing their levels of heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration all to decrease. In this state not only is the body releasing stress that is constantly on itself, but a hypnotherapist is also able to help the patient forget painful memories or events, as well as neglected emotions.

Ending Thoughts 

Hypnotherapy can offer a valuable complementary approach for individuals who are struggling with depression. By addressing the root causes of depression, helping individuals to manage stress and anxiety, and promoting positive changes in thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, hypnotherapy can help individuals to overcome their depression symptoms and improve their quality of life. Be sure to know your options, and that you are not limited to antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals. If you are considering hypnotherapy for your depression, it is important to choose a qualified practitioner who is experienced in treating mental health disorders and who can help you to achieve your goals. Chriselda Santos, a licensed psychotherapist and certified life coach, specializes in providing compassionate relationship counseling. She is determined to help her patients build healthier connections and work through confusing times. For more information, or to book an appointment, http://lifebalancetherapy.org