Hypnosis and hypnotherapy has been portrayed in pop culture and comedy acts as a whimsical, unbelievable performance, so it’s no wonder it’s not yet a mainstream method of combating mental health issues. One of the hardest parts of seeking help for a mental health issue is the beginning, and with its portrayal, hypnotherapy can incite fear in those with anxiety and depression.
Despite that, hypnotherapy has been gaining traction as a reliable form of therapy in the mental health community. People are turning to it to quit smoking, lose weight, fight phobias and remedy depression and anxiety. Hypnosis allows the patient to delve into an altered state of consciousness that is induced by the power of suggestion. It often uses techniques that include relaxation techniques, guided imagery and key words to help the patient relax, before diving into the hypnotherapy. During this phase of the session, the hypnotist makes suggestions and talks about changes in behaviour.
The Subconscious Mind
While the conscious mind doesn’t benefit from suggestions like these, the unconscious one does. Hypnotherapy is based on the idea that the subconscious mind can be altered and restrained while in a state of deep relaxation. The aim of hypnotists is to undo the effects of negative behaviour or thought patterns within the subconscious mind and help trigger changes that will benefit the patient.
Hypnosis for depression can be an effective treatment due to the root of mental illness. The therapy can help patients detach from negative or obsessive thought patterns, behaviors and habits which can often crop up in anxiety or depression. It can also give patients a feeling of self-control, and allow them to form new positive and healthy thought patterns or behaviors to replace the negative ones.
Empowerment and Strength
Hypnotherapy also helps mental illnesses like anxiety and depression through giving the patient a sense of empowerment and strength. A very common trigger or reason for anxiety and depression is a poor and distorted view of oneself – regardless of what external factors helped them to get there. Hypnosis helps patients find the strength inside themselves to concur the feelings of inadequacy and unease by using various methods that involve rewiring thought patterns and learned behaviours.
Parts Therapy
Parts therapy is also a beneficial way to treat anxiety or depression within hypnotherapy: it involves combating the internal struggles and using conflict resolution to resolve these feelings. During hypnotherapy, it’s common and normal for the negative parts of our minds to speak up and play a part in the conversation. It’s vital to listen to these elements, bring it to the surface and face it for what it is. This confrontation is a gentle one that reinforces the mind and body connection, and seeks to unravel the inner workings of the mind in order to gain control, rather than to suppress and sweep under the rug.
While hypnotherapy is a new-age and controversial form of therapy, the results from anxiety and depression sufferers around the world are astounding. Helping in a number of ways, it’s an incredible form of therapy that suits those who are open to seeking help in ways that centre their self-control and empowerment.