There are many levels of depression from feeling a little sorry for yourself to a severe psychopathological illness often being associated with chemical imbalance in the brain, though this is far too simplistic as an explanation. Before you read further if you are being treated for depression by your doctor you should consult with them first before seeking hypnotherapy and also get them to detail any drugs you are on.I will not attempt to treat very severe depression or psychosis and schizophrenia.

For the less serious depression then hypnotherapy can be of great benefit. Ego strengthening is often used to boost self esteem as sufferers often have a feeling of hopelessness. In addition your mind is reprogrammed to help with whatever is causing the depression. For people with a long history of mild depression, regression can also be used to pinpoint the cause and help find a solution.

There is also other help available such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Cognitive therapy treats with the patient using an analytical process to investigate and change distorted perceptions, thoughts and attitudes. The goal is for the patient to have a realistic view of their world and self. It is not a method to get the patient to think positively only objectively. The patient must be fully committed to the process in order for it to work. It is supposed towork for many psychiatric disorders that distort perceptions of the world and is often usted to treat clinical depression, self image and dysmorphic disorders. While it may improve a person's outlook with regard to the future, this is not its goal for it essentially deals with the present and how a patient deals with his thoughts in that present moments.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) may also be used. NLP could in some ways be thought of as similar to CBT but it uses neurological processes (the senses) along with the use of language, ideas and actions to produce results with a goal of personal excellence. The resulting changes that one can make are holistic, effect not only present but focus on the future and is a very dynamic technique. Each program should be tailored for the individual and ternds to work with the unconcious mind to acheive change.

Counselling and psychotherapy aims to assist people to overcome the emotional barriers or psychological problems caused by, for example, stress, relationship breakdown, traumas and lack of self confidence. Therapy enables clients to address their problems and make the life changes needed to overcome these problems and improve their health and well-being. Under the guidance of a trained and experienced counsellor or psychotherapist, a safe, supportive and  confidential environment is provided. to assist people to overcome the emotional barriers or psychological problems caused by, things like  stress, relationship breakdown, traumas and lack of self confidence. Therapy should enable clients to address their problems and make the life changes needed to overcome these problems and improve their health and well-being. Counselling is often provided by the NHS though in many cases there is a long waiting list. like all treatments sucess is varied but it is my opinion that counselling is expensive and often met with criticism from its patients.

Medication. Psychiatrists may prescribe medication which trys to alter the chemical ballance in the brain. It is not in the scope of this site to discuss medication by drugs and advice should be sought from your GP or a qualified psychiatrist.

There is a distinct though not fully understood mind body connection with every thought we have. Our thoughts are transmitted to our bodies organs via chemicals called neurotransmitters. It now has been shown that thought is chemical in nature rather than electrical and this is where the idea of depression being a chemical imballance in the brain comes from. For example it is known that schizophrenics produce too much of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. If depression was just a chemical imballance, then drugs that copied our natural regulators of these neurotransmitters should solve the problem but in many cases they don't and often end up with little better results than a placebo.

It would appear that the brains chemistry set is "intelligent" in that it sends just the right amount of neurotransmitter to the right receptor for each and every thought, whereas if administered from outside the drug just floods the neuroreceptors indiscriminately often causing many unpleasant side effects.

Because hypnosis has the ability to alter a persons thoughts I believe that many cases of depression can be cured or helped. Please contact me to discuss further or make an appointment.

For anxiety and stress disorders you could try here for self help hypnosis