You probably have someone in your social circle who suffers from depression, right? 

Although it is still a taboo, the subject needs to be increasingly present in our daily lives. This is because awareness of mental health is essential for the treatment of such disorders to become more common and, of course, accessible. 

That is why today we are going to talk a little about hypnosis for depression: 

• Is it really possible? 
• Should patients use it? 
• Is it effective? 

These are the questions we will answer throughout this post.

The global context of depression 

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. This mental disorder is responsible for the majority of disability cases worldwide, contributing significantly to the global burden of disease. 

Also according to PAHO, in the worst cases, as we already know, it can lead to suicide. And among those affected, an interesting fact is that women are commonly more affected than men. 

The numbers are sad and particularly concerning, aren’t they? So, let’s get to the information that can help change these statistics! 

First, understand what symptoms are caused by depression – which manifest physically and psychologically.

What are the physical symptoms of depression?

As with almost all diseases, these manifestations can vary from person to person. The most common physical symptoms among depressed people are:

• Memory loss;
• Difficulty concentrating and slow reasoning;
• Change in appetite (increase or decrease); 
• Drastic weight change (increase or decrease); 
• Reduced attention;
• Permanent feeling of tiredness and fatigue; 
• Compromised immunity; 
• Sleep changes (the patient sleeps excessively or experiences insomnia episodes);
• Frequent headaches. 

What are the psychological symptoms of depression?

Just like the physical symptoms, the psychological feelings caused by depression can vary according to the patient, but they usually include: 

• Low self-esteem;
• Feeling of incapacity;
• Anguish;
• Guilt;
• Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable; 
• Tendency towards compulsive behaviors; 
• Lack of energy to perform simple tasks, even if it’s taking a shower or making the bed. 

How does hypnosis for depression work?

We have already mentioned this in other articles, but it’s worth remembering: clinical hypnosis – that is, hypnotherapy – is characterized as a therapeutic modality that helps the patient find solutions to problems, behaviors, addictions, grief, etc. It is recognized by the federal councils of Medicine and other health areas, such as Psychology, Nursing, Dentistry, and Physiotherapy. 

The technique is simple and guides the patient to an altered state of consciousness, often related to relaxation, where there is greater responsiveness to suggestions. That is why treating depression with hypnosis is not only possible but completely natural. There are no contraindications and it poses no risk (by the way, beware of myths!). 

Hypnosis for depression works very well as long as the patient agrees with the treatment, is involved in the process, and the tool is combined with psychiatric and psychological treatments.

Basically, hypnotherapy acts on the sensations, feelings, and behaviors that involve depression. 

Through hypnotherapy – and its evolution over the sessions – the patient can expand their repertoire for facing daily challenges, thus alleviating symptoms. 

It is possible to: 

• Reframe dysfunctional beliefs; 
• Work on self-knowledge; 
• Reduce stress and anxiety (which can be a consequence of depression);
• Work on self-acceptance. 

Moreover, through hypnosis treatment, the patient may discover that they are truly capable of dealing with the disorder. This happens because, during the process, the patient can make progress in the treatment, and with that, their self-confidence also increases, allowing them to have a greater repertoire for facing frustrations and enabling them to see their life from new perspectives. 

It is worth emphasizing, of course, that hypnosis for depression does not work like a cake recipe or a magic formula, because such things do not exist in therapeutic processes. There are attempts and discoveries about yourself, which facilitate the understanding of different fields of life. 

With hypnosis combined with depression treatment, what happens is progress over the sessions that occur at the pace and within the particular possibilities of each individual.

Do you think hypnosis for depression could be useful for you, a family member, or a friend? Don’t waste time: visit app.hipnose.com.br now and search for a professional specialized in the technique (for online or in-person service) using the therapist search tool.  

Attention! This post does not intend to discourage seeking help from psychotherapy. In fact, it encourages seeking this psychological treatment and shows how hypnosis can enhance the results.

This publication is also available at: Portuguese (Brazil) Spanish