Depression, anxiety and stress are part of a continuum which can range in severity from mild to severe. They are not always easy for hard pressed GPs to diagnose with any accuracy in a 15 minute appointment. When thought to be a problem the standard approach is medication, which does not address or resolve the underlying cause.

Typically symptoms of depression include: slowness, inactive, self-pity, difficulty with concentration, interpersonal conflict, self-critical, withdrawn and self-protective (often with older people), irritability and anger (more commonly in younger people), worry, feeling on edge (the fight or flight response), muscular tension, avoiding social events, avoiding challenging tasks, avoiding facing family issues ('brushing problems under the carpet'), indecision and procrastination.

Over time, both alcohol and drug use can also lead to depression -a cycle of self-destructive habits being established. Both alcohol and drugs are often used to numb feelings. Gambling can also be a diversionary tactic, distracting the mind from immediate worries but potentially creating more problems later.

As mentioned, depression itself is not black and white but a continuum from mild to severe. To the casual observer, or even the busy General Practitioner, the severity of a depression is not easy to gauge and an individual may be good at hiding their real feelings. They may be reluctant to talk about it (particularly to health professionals) due to fear of stigmatisation.

Unfortunately, there is still something of a stigma attached to depressive illness in some societies - a sense that it is a personal weakness. Thankfully, many famous people have now admitted that they can get depressed – despite the trappings of fame and fortune!

Sometimes the disorder is short-lived and lifts as quickly as it came. At the other extreme, depressions can last many years.

There are varying levels to which sad feelings can affect daily life. Depression is often linked to anxiety and persistent worrying thoughts. Stress can be a contributory factor, either external (e.g. job, relationships, financial) or internal (how one reacts to stressful events).

Depression may have a clearly defined cause e.g. relationship breakdown or bereavement. Otherwise, the cause may be less obvious and perhaps linked to an earlier, often forgotten emotional experience.

A recent event in life can serve as a ‘trigger’ which acts as a subconscious reminder of a forgotten and emotionally charged memory. It is the energy in the stored emotion which creates the anxiety, which then can produce depressive feelings.

Severe physical illness can also make an individual depressed and the advice of your doctor should be sought in diagnosing specific conditions.

Depression is a mental frame of mind which differes from more serious psychotic illnesses. In depression the individual turns inwards, becoming critically introspective. Typically there is some loss of confidence and lowered self-belief. Psychotic disorders are beyond the scope of hypnotherapy.

There are also a number of mental disorders which can lead to depression. These include phobias, anorexia nervosa, alcoholism and drug dependency.

Many depressions arise from ‘free floating’ anxiety which often have deep rooted sources. Once established, such a condition can become habitual or conditioned thinking, automatically influencing feelings and behaviour.

Symptoms

There is frequently a general sense of sadness which may peak in the early morning.

Personality can play a part in creating specific symptoms, particularly how the depressed person feels about themselves and their level of self-esteem, self-belief and confidence.

Treatments

The usual medical intervention is a course of antidepressant medication, as prescribed by a medical practitioner, usually your GP. Some patients can experience unpleasant side-effects from certain antidepressants, and there is a move towards other forms of treatment, hypnotherapy included.

Hypoanalysis

This is a natural hypnotherapy process to address the root cause of a depression. Once the cause is identified the factors creating the depression are dissapated.

Hypnoanalysis normally takes 5 – 8 weekly sessions over a similar number of weeks.

Suggestion hypnosis

Powerful positive suggestions can also be made under hypnosis which help reduce stress and build self-belief and confidence. These develop calmness and relaxation, as old negative habits are replaced by positive expectations.

BBC News 2008
New generation of anti-depressants have little
clinical benefit for most patients, research suggests.

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