Hypnosis is a valuable therapy option and can be used to help people deal with a variety of issues. It can be one of the most effective and efficient options for permanent behavioral change. Many people can benefit from hypnosis, mainly because hypnosis is a natural state of mind, where the conscious mind is relaxed yet hyper-focused, and suggestions are more easily accepted by the subconscious mind. Hypnosis uses patient willingness, focus, and imaginary imagery in order to change behavioral patterns. With winter quickly approaching, the shorter days, and grey skies may have you feeling down, in which case hypnosis may be able to help!

UNDERSTANDING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

During the winter months, a lot of people deal with seasonal affective disorder. In fact, it is estimated to affect nearly 10 million Americans. Seasonal Affective Disorder often starts in the fall and may continue into the winter months. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Social withdrawal

Though the underlying cause of SAD is unknown, one theory is that it is related to the amount of melatonin in the body. Conventional treatment usually includes light therapy (phototherapy), talk therapy, and medication.

When meeting with a therapist, someone who suffers from depression brought on by seasonal affective disorder may talk through their feelings, yet struggle to find ways of dealing with their feelings outside of the therapist’s office. There are a variety of ways that hypnosis can aid in dealing with seasonal depression and seasonal affective disorder.

HYPNOSIS FOR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Since hypnosis allows people to be more suggestive to behavioral changes, many have begun using hypnosis for depression brought on by SAD. The behavioral changes that are provided through hypnosis create a generally brighter outlook on life. Due to this brighter outlook, it is suggested that hypnosis can cause a greater production of the “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin. Hypnosis can also help people let go of long-held negative beliefs, and even help reframe negative situations to feel more like positive outcomes.

Another reason hypnosis may be beneficial is that your subconscious mind is relaxed yet alert, and more receptive to suggestion. Through repetitive suggestion, A hypnotherapist can help you learn new strategies for dealing with feelings of depression or anxiety. In fact, sessions may be focused on teaching self-hypnosis, which is beneficial because it allows the sufferer to use techniques on their own in an ongoing manner.

Hypnosis for depression is also beneficial because just as anticipatory pain can cause people to feel tense and uncomfortable, dreading winter, when they know the SAD will worsen, can increase negative feelings. Using hypnosis, a hypnotherapist can break the pattern of feeling down once the days start getting shorter.

So many of us suffer silently from negative feelings, especially when confronted with cold, dark, winter days. It is important to address those feelings, so contact us today!