Are you affected by Seasonal Depression?
As the clocks go back on Sunday 30th October, thousands of local people will be dreading the effect the darker nights will have on their mood and overall wellbeing
Around seven per cent of UK adults suffer from the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, or S.A.D. You can read more about living with seasonal affective disorder here.
Reduced exposure to sunlight results in them feeling depressed and lethargic – and in extreme cases can severely affect everything from their work performance to their relationships with others.
Katina, from Katina Chapman Hypnotherapy, confirms that she has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking her help with this condition over the past 12 months.
Fortunately tailored, hypnotherapy-based techniques can help. These include meditation and ‘gratitude boards’, aimed at helping them to identify and focus on the positive aspects of their lives during the darker seasons, in order to overcome their feelings of loss.
People who suffer with SAD are thought to produce too much of the sleep hormone melatonin when the days become shorter, resulting in them wanting to sleep all the time. Insufficient exposure to sunlight also results in their bodies not producing enough of the feel-good hormone serotonin, and thus their tiredness is often coupled with depression.
Artificial light boxes and visors are one of the most common treatments for this condition. Although they often do help to ease the symptoms, in some cases, they have been linked to side effects like nausea. However, hypnotherapy can also be very effective. Hypnotherapy works by providing sufferers with techniques for focusing on more positive aspects of the autumn and winter seasons. A good hypnotherapy programme will help by introducing affirmative actions like meditation into their daily routines.
“When someone is prone to SAD, it can become a bit of a vicious circle for them. If they’ve felt at a low ebb before, they will start to dread the nights drawing in, because they will immediately associate them with feelings ranging from low spirit to claustrophobia, agoraphobia, and overwhelming tiredness,” said Katina.
“By taking them through techniques to re-set their mindset, hypnotherapy can change someone’s whole outlook during the darker nights and make them feel much better.
“I use methods like meditation and visualisation with my clients, helping them to focus on all the pleasant things they associate with the changing of the seasons – from cosy nights in with their family, to wrapping up warm and taking a brisk walk.
“Our minds are incredibly powerful organs, and we can train them to think any way we want them to – including having positive feelings about the Autumn and winter months.”
If you would like to learn more about how hypnotherapy can help you with seasonal depression, give Katina a call on (01502) 587341.