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If you’ve been experiencing low mood, lack of interest in many activities, and insomnia, you might be suffering from depression. While there are many forms of treatments available, hypnosis is becoming a popular holistic choice.

Question is, “Is hypnosis for depression effective?”

Before we answer this question, let’s discuss depression a bit.

What is Depression?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a mental illness that affects the way you feel, think, and act. The common symptoms are sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleeping too little or too much,  feeling worthless, and thoughts of death.

These symptoms must be present for two weeks to diagnose depression. Moreover, medical conditions such as brain tumors, thyroid issues, and vitamin deficiencies need to be ruled out.

depressed woman

Hypnosis for Depression

How Can Hypnosis Help with Depression?

Hypnosis involves placing someone in a trance-like state through relaxation and suggestions. It has been considered a viable treatment option for anxiety, insomnia and sleep issues, panic disorder, weight loss, and even smoking cessation.

Now, hypnosis can help lift depression in three (3) ways.

First, hypnosis can help unlock the subconscious. It can uncover experiences, thoughts, and feelings that have been tucked away in the subconscious.

When you’re in a relaxed hypnotic state, you’ll be able to recall long-forgotten events, strong biases, and unhealthy thought patterns. This way, hypnosis can help uncover the root cause/s of depression.

Secondly, it can pinpoint unresolved issues and help deal with them. Often, the depressed person has actually lost something or someone important. Moreover, he or she may keep unresolved feelings such as guilt, anger, fear, and resentment.  With hypnotherapy, he or she will be able to release these feelings and make way for transformation.

Thirdly, positive affirmations, and hypnotic suggestion can lead to good and long-term changes. In this regard, hypnosis can correct negative behavior patterns and promote healthier coping mechanisms.

Is Hypnosis for Depression Effective?

According to scientific research, hypnosis for depression shows promise. Apparently, even just a single session can help reduce depressive symptoms as seen in a 2013 study of hemodialysis patients.

In 2017, a Mexican study concluded that depressed participants who underwent hypnosis showed significant improvement. Similarly, a study using hypnotic group treatment showed outpatients felt better after the intervention. Also, the researchers suggested that hypnosis is more cost-effective compared to other conventional treatments.

More recently, a large meta-analysis of 13 studies suggested that hypnotherapy is very effective in alleviating depressive symptoms. In fact, the participants undergoing hypnosis showed more improvement than 76% of those who didn’t.

With these studies, you can imagine why people would want to go for hypnosis.

Carla Chalah of Hemisphere Hypnotherapy has helped hundreds, if not thousands of clients lead lives worth celebrating, by combining hypnotherapy and neuroscientific techniques that promote the rewiring of the brain.

Hypnosis is an all-natural approach to depression. Unlike anti-depressants, it doesn’t have unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side-effects.  Plus, it’s non-invasive.  When you’re in a hypnotic state, you are conscious and aren’t in danger of doing something you don’t want to.

You can also combine it with other modalities like mindfulness, acupuncture, Reiki, crystal bed therapy, and Ajna light therapy. We all know that depressed people can’t handle stress very well. If you combine hypnosis with mindfulness, they can help lower stress levels.

Do remember though that you need to seek a certified clinical hypnotherapist to work with.