Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects millions of people worldwide throughout the darkest, coldest months of the year. Its symptoms include excessive sleepiness, low mood, reduced motivation, and social withdrawal.
Although medical experts believe limited exposure to sunlight may impair our ability to regulate a sleep hormone, melatonin, there is still no consensus as to the cause of SAD and its full spectrum of difficult symptoms. This has resulted in SAD sufferers being unsure whether to try anti-depressant medication, or non-pharmacological devices such as sunlight-imitating lamps. Unfortunately, neither option is ideal for all patients. Identifying appropriate medication can take months for an individual, whilst SAD lamps can be costly or impractical.
Hypnotherapy however offers a relaxing, effective and non-invasive alternative that growing numbers of SAD patients are benefitting from this winter.
Q: How can hypnotherapy treat SAD?
A: By targeting the numerous emotional symptoms of the condition, as well as the lack of exposure to (virtual) sunlight.
During hypnotherapy, all treatments can be tailored to the individual. This enables the treatment to be specific to the exact emotional and psychological symptoms an SAD patient is experiencing. A hypnotherapeutic protocol could therefore include the following elements:
Hypnotic Sunlight and Warm Climates:
During hypnotic trance, a patient can be virtually transported to anywhere they wish. Guiding a patient to a warm, tranquil beach, a tropical oasis, or a luscious summery meadow allows the virtual exposure to bright, warm, sunlight. Multiple studies have demonstrated that hypnotic suggestion has the ability to affect body temperature. A patient can therefore become physically warmer and cosier as they mentally bask in the glow of their sunny, hypnotic rays. As far as their brain is concerned, the sun, light, and warmth are all genuine experiences. This generates a feel-good mood and can even rejuvenate a patient’s energy levels.
Increasing the Desire to Socialise:
The thought of leaving a warm house to take part in hobbies, or spend several hours socialising with a friend, can be daunting when you are experiencing low mood and low energy. Pseudo-Orientation In Time is a hypnotic technique that guides the patient into their future, allowing them to visualise and virtually experience all of the joys and benefits of returning to their hobbies or social groups once more. This is a very positive technique that reminds an SAD patient of everything they have to gain from engaging with others, and how they can still achieve relaxing, peaceful experiences with friends if they are feeling sleepier than usual. Seeing themselves having a good time is a powerful motivator for patients to return to socialising, as it restores their confidence that they can both manage, and enjoy, their social commitments.
Improving Self-Esteem and Optimism:
SAD causes some patients to develop patterns of highly self-critical thoughts, or catastrophising thoughts about the future. Hypnotherapy can use direct suggestion to help patients more easily recognise the many reasons they have to feel proud, capable, or loved, enabling them to challenge critical thoughts should they arise. Similarly, hypnotic metaphor can help SAD patients to see that the future can not be entirely dark, and no matter how cold or stormy, the winter will always give way to spring.
If you suspect you are experiencing SAD, or are frustrated with treatments you have tried so far, consider the relaxing and enjoyable approach of Hypnotherapy. Contact the practice today to schedule your first appointment, and discover what sunny climes your mind can be transported to…
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