To ask if hypnotherapy works?

[Afternooninthepark]

Especially for anxiety and depressive disorders?
I’ve tried counselling and CBT but they haven’t helped me.
My anxiety is out of control and sliding me into depression.
I can’t really afford hypnotherapy, most charge around £50-£80 per hour in my area but I would borrow the money if I really thought there would be a chance that it could help me.
Has anyone tried it, for what ever reason and did it help?

[MellowBird85]

I had hypnotherapy some years ago for anxiety...complete waste of money and yes it cost me £50 per session. The hypnotherapist used to look like golem with the ring when I handed over the money at the end of each session. I was desperate though like you. What type of anxiety do you have? Is it generalised or have you got specific worries? Panic attacks?

[Afternooninthepark]

That’s my fear mellow I really can’t afford to throw money at it but am desperate. I was told when I had my CBT that I have GAD but I also have panic attacks and phobias.

[MellowBird85]

So sorry you’re going through this, it really is an awful and debilitating condition. I would recommend continuing with your CBT and also a book by Dr Clare Weekes - Self Help for Your Nerves. She was an Australian doctor who suffered with anxiety herself and her methods are still lauded today. Also, please look at the websites panicend.com and anxietycoach.com. They helped me immensely. I hope you start to feel better soon

[echt]

You could go on a course to learn hypnotise yourself, then you won't be shelling out money all the time.

I don't know how reputable these people are:

www.ukhypnosis.com/self-hypnosis-workshop/

[Subeccoo]

Hi, I have quite a lot of experience with hypnotherapy. I had it to get over a driving fear, it definitely worked. I used to have panic attacks which prevented me getting on to dual car to us dual carriageways or motorways, now I could do in drive the whole country if I wanted to.
I used it to give up smoking. Didn't touch one for a year, have just started having the odd one again I'm so cross with myself.
I also used it to understand why I drink alcohol (family of alcoholics, terrified of becoming one). I still drink but have a really healthy relationship with it, don't overdo it, don't drink often at all now.
I think it's worth a go and am defo going again to address the smoking 😩
I've tried self help hypnosis and haven't had much success, but worth a shot if money is an issue.
I think my driving one was BWRT therapy, worth looking it up, changed my life 👍

[Subeccoo]

Sorry about the typos, new phone adds in words for me, I'm really not used to it sorry!!

[DonKeyshot]

Hypnotherapy can work for some, but not for everyone. Much as I'd love to be put in a trance, I'm resistant to it and I doubt that even Derren Brown would have any luck with me.

However, before you shell out on something that may not work for you, I suggest you try EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) otherwise known as 'tapping'.

There are many practitioners on youtube of whom Brad Yates is my favourite. Search his various youtube sessions to find one, or more, that resonate with you and in the meantime try this 5 minute 'starter':

[echt]

Hypnotherapy can work for some, but not for everyone. Much as I'd love to be put in a trance, I'm resistant to it and I doubt that even Derren Brown would have any luck with me

As hypnosis is all in the mind, you're right, your mind has to give permission.

[justanotherlemontree]

I saw a private hypnotherapist for birth preparation and it worked brilliantly. She made recording for me that I could use to practice at home (because a lot of practice is involved, it’s a bit like meditation, you get better at it).

In your position I’d probably start by exploring some self-help options.

[justanotherlemontree]

Oh I should add: the birth preparation stuff was because I was terrified after a traumatic experience with my first baby. I had a serious issue and it helped immensely. I also have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.

[Schmoozer]

Are u on medication ?
Medication with CBT is the best combination.

[peepobaby]

I'm having hypnotherapy right now!. I've only had 2 sessions and nope it's not helping my issues but I have been told I wouldn't till I've had a few more sessions.

[DonKeyshot]

Continuing what echt has correctly said about hypnosis being 'all in the mind', imo there's a danger in labelling certain conditions as being 'disorders' as it may make us believe that we have an underlying medical condition that can't be relieved or cured no matter what we do.

Anxiety and depression are part and parcel of everyday life. It's not unnatural to feel anxious or fearful about certain situations, and depression is not an unnatural response to certain events such as the type of crippling anxiety that makes us feel valueless or as if we're continually missing out on a happy seamfree life - who wouldn't feel cheesed off at that prospect?

Perhaps it would help if you saw yourself as someone who can suffer from seemingly overwhelming anxiety which can cause you to become depressed at the things you see others doing but you can't do, or participate in, and then begin to examine the root cause(s) of your anxiety by exploring your fears and setting them out in writing in terms of all the possible and/or probable outcomes if you were to do something you are fearful of/anxious about.

CBT should have taught you that you are NOT your thoughts and that you can train your mind to reject negative thinking. However, to achieve this 'nirvana', it is necessary to make a considerable effort to be ever vigilant in controlling your thoughts until it becomes second nature to do so.

If you've merely paid lip service to CBT it won't work for you and it then becomes on to the next possible cure or latest fad and so on until you are convinced that nothing will work for you, resulting in your making that inevitable slide into the depths of depression.

Don't let that become your reality, OP. I hope you'll recognise that the only way to stop it happening is to start changing your perceptions, which may mean going back to basics with CBT and going over your counselling sessions to see what you missed/what lessons you could/should have learned.

[Afternooninthepark]

Thank you, everyone.
schmoozer I’ve never taken meds, I have always been wary of side effects.
subecco BWRT is something I’ve been looking into and I’m intrigued by.
Donkeyshot I understand what you are saying but I had 4 months of intensive CBT and worked closely with the therapist. I have put so much effort into changing and constantly challenging my thought pattern but I am still struggling a year on. I have suffered with increasingly progressive anxiety, panic and depression for over 20 years its a long, arduous journey of which I am still travelling along with great difficulty tbh.

[DonKeyshot]

No matter how intensive the sessions, 4 months and the 1 year since you engaged in them is a drop in the ocean compared to the 20 years you've been struggling to overcome your fears and stave off depression, OP.

There is no quick fix but sheer bloody minded persistence will pay off if you're prepared to stick with challenging negative thoughts whenever they arise.. Perhaps you could set aside a specific time each day when you can simply 'be' for 10-15 minutes and observe your thoughts, Let them pass through your mind without attempting to challenge them, detain them, or running any internal commentary as to how you should be feeling or how you should interpret them.

If you are able to do this, it may demonstrate that you are not your thoughts and, in turn, this may enable you to see that you don't have to allow negative thinking to be in control as you have the option to let those thoughts go and fill any gaps in their wake with positive thoughts.

It occurs to me that you may benefit from EMDR which is available on the NHS and your GP may facilitate a referral: www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

Alternatively, it may be time to reassess your fear of the possible side-effects of anti depressant drugs as a short course of, say, 9 months duration coupled with using CBT techniques may enable you to make more progress than you are currently achieving. This may help you decide which medication would be of most benefit to you: www.iwanttochangemylife.org/medications/antidepressants.htm

Did you try tapping (above)? There is no limit to the amount of times you can use the technique in any one day - or any one hour for that matter. If you didn't experience any improvement in your mood, have another go and keep going until you can feel a perceptible shift or lift of the dark mood that currently surrounds you.

I wish you well and hope that, whatever means you choose, you will bring about positive changes to your outlook in the near future..

[Afternooninthepark]

Thank you DonKeyshot I will look into everything you have suggested.

[Schmoozer]

I’d recommend medication
I suffered from panic GAD anxiety for years
With SSRI medication I was pretty much cured !!! No side effects other than the first week x

[peepobaby]

Subeccoo could you tell me more about BWRT therapy if you don't mind. What exactly happens in a session? It all seems to be so secretive online.

[libdumps]

I had some (very expensive) sessions years ago and it didn't work at all.