Has anyone tried hypnosis for depression?

I was hypnotized a couple times by a psychologist and by another
counselor. When I woke up I felt calm and rested. I think the idea was
that I would be able to hypnotize myself.

Couldn't do it. But I got the same effect from tapes/CDs designed for
relaxation. They put me to sleep. Felt calm and rested when I woke
up.

Not really a cure for depression. Just a sort of calming break.

I talked to a couple psychologists about hypnosis. They said it
generally is not effective as a way to modify behavior. If you stop
smoking through hypnosis, for example, you will take up some
other addiction.

Course that was back in the 90s. Maybe current thinking is different.

Have you tried Vitamin D3 and the Vitamin B12 patch? They have helped
me the last couple years. Cheaper than hypnosis.

Good luck
Rock

Not everyone is a candidate for hypnosis. It turns out I was not able to be hypnotized. Yet, when I am at home, in pain, I can use pain management techniques with my one cat and the best way I can explain it is probably a meditation where I feel my brain is very free and the pain begins to ease. But at home I feel extremely safe, secure, and unafraid, especially with my cat there.

[This Message was Edited on 10/29/2009]

I have heard you mention several times about the b 12 patch. I have been taking D3 for a couple of weeks and a supplement of B 12 Is the patch a prescrition from your dr? Charlotte

The B12 patch is over the counter. It's available from 3 or 4 sites on line. They
all have the same price: $25 for 4 patches. That's a 4 week supply. Shipping
rates vary though.

The theory is that the B12 is absorbed through the skin. It is not effective
when taken orally.

Jaminhealth recommended D3 to me. Also grape seed extract. I feel much
less depressed than I did a couple years ago. I still take my antidepressanat.

Rock

I appreciate the information I will look into the patch I am taking the D 3 now along with anti depressants and will also look into grape seed extract

I was hypnotized for depression but more-so as it related to my dealing with a specific traumatic occurrence that happened when I was younger and was causing me to suffer depression and anxiety as an adult.

The hypnotist put me into a light trance and asked me to remember/relive the traumatic experience. Then he asked me to 're-write' the experience so that it was less traumatic.

After I re-wrote the experience he told me that from then on, whenever I would remember the traumatic occurrence I would remember the revised version (although at the same time I would retain the memory of having re-written the initial experience).

He went on to tell me that from that point forward, whenever I tried to say something unkind to myself I wouldn't be able to. Then, he told me to begin counting backwards from 10 to 1 and when I got to one I could open my eyes and I'd feel refreshed like I had a good night's sleep.

I began counting from ten to one and at the 5-count I thought to myself 'I'll open my eyes now, no sense waiting until I count to one' but, as hard as I tried, I couldn't open my eyes until I finished counting down to one. Not being able to open my eyes was the first realization that I had that I was actually hypnotized. Up until that point, I didn't believe I was 'under'. When I finished counting to one I was able to open my eyes. I felt very refreshed and craved coffee like I do after a good night's sleep.

Sure enough, whenever I think of the traumatic occurrence (even now 20 years after the hypnosis) I remember the revised version first, then the actual version. Because my memory always lands on the revised version first, it seems to take the sting out of the actual memory and doesn't cause the same level of emotional reaction.

For years afterward, I wasn't able to put myself down and though I probably could now, I no longer have the inclination. So all in all, I'd deem the experience a great success.

God bless,
Anne Theresa