DEPRESSION   People who are depressed, if they think about the future , tend to project the same kinds of hurts into the future that they experienced in the past.   In the past thirty years, depression has become one of the best understood  mental health disorders . We can now acknowledge that depression is highly responsive to good treatment and that good treatment is available from a variety of sources . It is my intention to explore the treatment modalites that hypnosis can provide.   The signs and symptoms of depession are numerous and different for each person experiencing them. Depression is a not a disease or an illness . It is inaccurate to label depression as such. Perhaps we should look upon Depression as a complex disorder that can affect many different aspects of your life. The physical symptoms of Depression can manifest in a disturbance of sleep, loss of appetite , lowered sex drive. bodily fatigue and anxiety. When it comes to thinking the depressed individual can have difficulty in thinking clearly, remembering  details or cause you have errors in judgement about important matters. The behavioural aspects of depression can be suicide,crying spells, and sometimes abusing drugs or alcohol. Indeed, many substance abusers use alcohol and substance abuse to cope with their depression and so it becomes a vicious circle. The alcohol or substance abuse eases the anxiety of depression .Therefore alcohol and non-prescribed drugs are most definitely to be avoided. The emotional symptoms of depression can be , a feeling of hopelessness, sadness or despair, a deep sense of guilt and feelings of worthlessness.The depressed individual may have difficulty in forming relationships, they may withdraw from social situations and isolate themselves from their friends. We can acknowledge that depression is a complex mutli-dimensional problem.     The mental health professionals have categorised depression into TWO forms:-   The first is called :-                                     Major Depressive Disorder - (Uni-Polar Depression)                                     This form generates ‘Depression’ only.   The second is called:-                                     Manic Depressive Illness –(Bi-Polar Disorder). This is categorised                                     by ‘mania’ - the highs of euphoria and lows of  depression.     Major Depressive Illness  (Uni-Polar Depression) is by far the most common form of  depression .     Who Gets Depressed Depression is currently the most common psychological disorder in the western world and in the United States. Depression affects everyone and anyone and is on the increase.   The highest rates of depression is found in the age group 25 – 44.   Adolescents are proving to be the fastest growing group for depressive symptoms.   Women are diagnosed as being depressed two to three times more frequently than men.   Therefore we can postulate that depression is not a fixed thing nor an easily defined experience.     What Causes Depression   When we recognise that depression has many causes and not just one cause. Therefore there are many viable avenues of treatment. Depression is not a disorder of personal weakness nor is it a disorder of character flaw or from just feeling sorry for yourself.   The vast research available has shown that Depression is a Multi-Dimensional Disorder.   Biological, Psychological and Sociological factors can combine to cause depression in an individual. Therefore a ‘bio-psycho-social’ model is the most widely accepted view in the mental health arena.     Biological   There is some evidence that depression can be transmitted genetically from a parent to their offspring. This accounts for only a minority of major depression.   The genetic transmission factor appears to be the major culprit in Bi-Polar Depression. This best treated as a physical illness and with the appropriate medication. Psychotherapy can also be helpful.   Specific neurotransmitters ( the Brain’s chemical messengers) which are related to mood can be significantly influenced by anti-depressive  medication. The hypothesis that their exists a ‘chemical imbalance’ in the brains  of those who are depressed – is just that – an hypothesis. There is no firm evidence to prove that a ‘chemical imbalance’ exists. However, there is firm evidence that anti-depressive medication works well in treating depressive people as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.   Depression can be caused by other physical factors, such as certain medications and physical conditions.Other physical conditions and mental health factors can co-exist alongside depression and sometimes disguise depression. These other factors are called co-morbid conditions or co-existing conditions.   Therefore it is recommended that clients have a full medical and psychological assessement to identify other co-morbid physical/ psychological  issues.       Psychological The multi-dimensional aspect of depression also point us to ask the following question  How do clients interpret life events? – It is our perception ,our interpretation of events as opposed to what actually is happening or has happened!   The Rorschach Inkblot Test involves showing a client an inkblot that is ambiguous in shape. The client is asked to interpret the inkblots meaning. People ‘’see’ all kinds of  meanings as they project their ‘meanings’ on to it. The principle of the ‘projective hypothesis’ states that whenever you encounter an ambiguous stimulus, you will interpret it from your own perspective.   The  most ambiguous stimulus anyone can face is LIFE. We give our own meanings to life events. We give life meaning by developing our own individual values, beliefs, relationships, careers , hobbies , and our own unique life experiences. Our projections are just that -  OUR PROJECTIONS. They are not anyone else’s. The mistake is that we believe that our projections are really true .               Sociological (Cultural) Depression is strongly affected  by social or cultural factors. This maybe due to the de-emphasis of the traditional neuclear family, less community involvement. etc. In communities/cultures where there is a more involved family support structure, the incidents of depression are much less common.     What are the primary Goals of Therapy 1.                  To generate a remission of your symptoms as quickly as as effectively as possible. 2.                  To limit its destructive influence when ‘Depression’ – does occur. 3.                  To prevent Depression when possible.   Therapy must be seen as : 1.      An emphasis on therapy as an active process of deliberately trying out new behaviours and experimenting with your subjective perceptions. 2.      A time limited duration of treatment , therapy does not go on indefinately. 3.      A focus on resolving current problems /issues and not a rehashing of childhood issues. 4.      A recognition that the primary goal of treatment is to resolve specific symptoms rather than trying to fix more poorly defined abstract personality issues. 5.      An emphasis on building specific skills,  such as rational thinking. 6.      An emphasis on developing and achieving future spcific goals rather than analysing past failures. Please note that Manic Depressive Illness (Bi-Polar Disorder) is not suitable for treatment by hypnotherapy

Hypnosis The science and art of modern clinical hypnosis is a valuable therapeutic tool in treating depression. In the hypnotic state you can learn new ideas  more effectively and make better practical use of what you have learned. The advantage of using hypnosis and psychotherapy lies in its ability to amplify and to give direction to the many extraordinary resources of the unconscious mind.Therefore the science and art of modern clinical hypnosis is about studying and making use of the inner strengths and resources of the unconscious mind, which are outside of the person’s conscious awareness. Learning to focus and direct these resources  in particular ways in order to achieve desirable outcomes and changes.