Most of our beliefs, emotions and memories are stored in our subconscious mind. The subconscious is mostly helpful, however, sometimes it can store unhelpful information, thoughts and behaviour patterns too. These discouraging emotions can then influence our thoughts and feelings in our everyday life.
Hypnotherapy can help you to unlearn these unhelpful patterns and train the subconscious mind to be more supportive.
In the case of depression, hypnotherapy paired with integrative psychotherapy methods reprogram the subconscious mind so you can manage the overwhelming emotions, and most importantly, try to find the underlying causes of depression.
Hypnosis for depression examines and changes negative thinking patterns, bad habits, and suppressed memories that negatively affect your mood and behaviour, and enhances your ability to cope. Being able to cope increases the self-confidence which in turn helps you overcome your depression.
Focused attention whilst being in a hypnotic state improves the effectiveness of traditional depression treatments, like cognitive behaviour therapy.
Postnatal depression is not the baby blues!
Extreme exhaustion, apathy, tearfulness and self-reproach are the usual symptoms that new mums experience soon after giving birth to their baby. It is important to distinguish between the ‘baby blues’ which usually only last a few days after the birth and are generally caused by hormonal changes, and the longer lasting postnatal depression. Baby blues lift quickly once the hormonal balance is restored and sufficient rest is gained. Postnatal depression affects about 10% of new mothers and can be very long-lasting if not treated.
Causes and contributing factors of postnatal depression
New mums suffering from depression often doubt their ability to be a good mother before or after they give birth. They find it difficult to cope with their baby`s demands. They sometimes feel unable to connect with their own baby, and that feeling causes guilt and disappointment in themselves. The more depressed they become, the less they feel connected with the baby and so a ‘vicious circle’ is formed.
It is very important that if you are experiencing depression, ask for help, do not suffer alone.
Hypnotherapy and postnatal depression
Depression and tiredness together do not help realistic thinking. When you relax deeply, you can access the subconscious part of your mind and that can help you relax and achieve more realistic thinking about your abilities and coping skills. Building up your self-esteem leads to more positive feelings about yourself, and you will soon start feeling better. You will notice that your relationship with yourself improves and it helps your connections with your baby too! As your recovery proceeds, the bad days get fewer and less upsetting and the good days increase. Gradually the bad days will disappear completely.
