What is depression?
Depression can affect people in different ways and can range from less severe (mild) to more severe (moderate or severe). Its severity depends on your symptoms, how often you experience them and how much they affect your everyday life.
There are different types of depression. These can include:
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, usually occurring during winter.
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) – a long-term form of depression where symptoms can persist for years.
- Antenatal depression – depression that develops during pregnancy.
- Postnatal depression (PND) – depression that can develop after having a baby. It can affect mothers, fathers and partners.
Around one in four people experience a mental health problem each year in England, with one in five reporting common mental health problems like anxiety and depression each week.
In this video, cognitive hypnotherapist Adrian Jackson discusses the ways that depression can affect us, and how hypnotherapy can help you.
Signs of depression
Depression can have a range of emotional and physical symptoms. Common signs of depression can include:
- a low mood, feeling sad or angry
- lacking in energy
- losing interest or enjoyment in activities you used to enjoy
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling tired more easily
- low self-confidence
- different sleeping habits (difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual)
- different eating habits (eating more or less than usual)
- feeling guilty or that you're worthless.
You may find you’re easily irritated or have a sense of being numb to everything. Talking to someone about how you're feeling can be a helpful first step towards getting support.
When to seek help
If you’ve experienced symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for two or more weeks, it’s a good idea to speak with your GP. You can also reach out for support if your symptoms aren’t improving, your mood is affecting your relationships, work or other interests, or you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Why am I depressed?
The causes of depression are different for everyone. Often the reasons are complex, and there may be multiple factors at play. Some of the most common causes can include:
Childhood experiences
Certain experiences in your childhood can make you more vulnerable to depression as an adult. You may have experienced trauma, abuse, bereavement or even had an unstable family environment. All of these situations can affect your mental health and make it more likely for you to experience depression.
Life events
In some cases, depression can be triggered by a particular event. You may have ended a relationship, lost someone close to you or lost your job. Major life changes like moving, getting married and changing jobs can lead to depression, too.
Mental or physical health problems
Depression can happen alongside other mental health conditions, including anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you struggle with your physical health or if you have chronic pain, you may also find this affects your mood and may contribute to depression.
Genetic factors
Having a close family member with depression can increase your likelihood of experiencing depression, although many different factors can play a part.
Alcohol and drugs
Some people may use alcohol or drugs to cope with difficult feelings, but they can also affect your mental health and make symptoms of depression worse.
Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle changes can affect your mood, including how much you sleep, what you eat and how much physical activity you get. While these factors alone won’t cause depression, they can make you more likely to develop it.
Other causes
Some medication side effects include depression, and some physical health problems (such as hormone issues) can cause depression. If you're concerned about symptoms of depression, speak to your GP, who can also check whether another health condition could be contributing to how you're feeling.
Depression treatment
Treatment for depression will depend on your symptoms, how they affect you and your personal circumstances. Options can include guided self-help, exercise, talking therapies and antidepressants. Your GP or another healthcare professional can help you explore which options may best suit you.
Guided self-help
For less severe depression, guided self-help may be recommended. This usually involves working through a workbook or online programme with support from a trained practitioner and is often based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Exercise may also be recommended.
Talking therapies
There are several talking therapies that may be recommended for depression. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and behavioural activation.
Medication
Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression. They may be recommended for moderate or severe depression, sometimes alongside talking therapy. There are different types of antidepressants, and your doctor can discuss the potential benefits and side effects with you.
Hypnotherapy for depression
Some people with depression may consider hypnotherapy as a complementary approach alongside recommended treatment and support. Evidence for hypnotherapy specifically for depression is limited, so it should not replace treatment recommended by a GP or mental health professional.
Hypnotherapy may help you explore thoughts, feelings, or experiences that could be contributing to how you feel, while using techniques to support more helpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.
Suggestion techniques may also be used to encourage more helpful patterns of thinking and behaviour. A hypnotherapist will tailor the techniques they use to you and what you would like support with.
Some hypnotherapists may use hypnotherapy alongside psychotherapy, depending on their training and qualifications. If you’re already receiving support for depression and are considering hypnotherapy, it can be helpful to discuss this with the professionals involved in your care. Finding the right support can take time, and what works for one person may not work for another.
I went to a hypnotherapist who took me through analysis and from there, literally turned my life around. I was full of joy and hope for the future and I so wanted to pay it forward that I studied and trained to become a hypnotherapist myself.
- Read Kathleen’s experience of hypnotherapy for depression.
Does hypnotherapy work for depression?
Some people may find hypnotherapy helpful for relaxation or managing thought patterns and behaviours alongside other support. However, evidence for hypnotherapy as a treatment for depression is limited.
Find a hypnotherapist
Finding the right support can take time, and it’s important to choose an approach and practitioner you feel comfortable with. If you’re interested in exploring hypnotherapy as a complementary approach, you can use our website to find a qualified hypnotherapist offering support in person or online. You can browse practitioner profiles to learn more about how they work and find someone who feels right for you.
