Bringing a new life into the world is a rewarding experience that many people look forward to. This transformative experience often leaves mothers with an immense amount of emotions that can occasionally be difficult to understand and navigate.
The initial postpartum period can be an especially difficult time for mothers and can bring on feelings of isolation and sadness. Medically referred to as postpartum depression, this issue is more common than you might know, affecting 1 in 10 women within the first year of childbirth.
Becoming more understood and publicly spoken about, Adele is one celebrity among many to have openly spoken about their battle with postpartum depression. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she candidly admitted that she experienced a depressive period after the birth of her son Angelo.
Seeking help and going to your doctor for adequate treatment is extremely important and the first step in getting better. For both your well-being and your babies, exploring ways to overcome this battle is recommended.
If you are looking for alternative postpartum depression treatments, you are in luck. Hypnotherapy is just one form of therapy that has proven to be effective in dealing with this form of depression, specifically when in conjunction with your doctor’s medication recommendations.
To help you better understand the role of hypnotherapy in postpartum depression treatment, let’s explore how this solution can help you move towards better well-being.
What are the Causes of Postpartum Depression?
The cause of postpartum depression varies from person to person, but understanding the cause is an important first step in postpartum depression treatment. Although the exact reasons that trigger this depression are not known, it can be the combination of the following factors:
1. Hormonal Changes
After giving birth, hormonal levels change dramatically. This sudden drop or hike in hormones can result in or contribute to postpartum depression. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone may be reduced. Additionally, the drop in thyroid hormone levels might make you feel lethargic, tired and depressed.
2. Emotional Factors
The increased responsibilities of taking care of your child can be extremely overwhelming and scary. You might feel like you are not doing enough or failing to perform basic tasks. In addition to this, the lack of sleep during this period can further ruin your emotional balance and contribute towards postpartum depression.
3. Physical Changes
It goes without saying that childbirth brings about physical changes in your body. These feelings may lead to reduced self-confidence and other negative feelings. Weight gain, stretch marks and pain can all affect your mood and self-esteem.
4. Previous Mental Health Issues
Often postpartum depression is rooted in a previous mental history. While not always the case, women who have previously dealt with issues like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression may be at a higher risk of being depressed after childbirth.
The Role of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Postpartum Depression
Hypnotherapy has proven to be an effective alternative form of therapy for treating depression. Amongst this, those who are suffering from postpartum depression can leverage this form of therapy to improve their mental well-being. Hypnotherapists, like myself, will work with you to address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of your issues and promote healing.
I will begin my hypnotherapy sessions by identifying the symptoms and triggers that are contributing towards your depression. Once we recognise these factors, we will work together to devise coping mechanisms and promote more positive thoughts.
Here’s how my hypnotherapy sessions will help in your postpartum depression treatment journey:
1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
My hypnotherapy sessions are aimed at easing the symptoms associated with postpartum depression, with a major focus on stress and anxiety. Through relaxation techniques, I will guide you into a calmer state, empowering you to overcome depressive thoughts and enhance your overall well-being.
2. Improved Sleep Quality
As a new mother, many challenges arise, inducing feelings of worry, discomfort and stress which may disturb your sleeping pattern, contributing towards further negative emotions. During my sessions, we will employ different techniques and work towards improving the quality of your sleep, which is needed for relaxation and recovery. Once you can sleep and rest better, you will be on your way towards a more positive shift in your mood and overall well-being.
3. Enhanced Self Esteem
Another common PPD symptom that I will help you tackle is lowered self-confidence. To boost your self-confidence, I will use different techniques such as positive suggestions and visualisation to enable you to let go of your negative thoughts about yourself and embrace your physical changes with a more positive outlook. Seeing yourself in a positive light will help you deal with your depression and increase self-assurance, nurturing a positive and building a stronger mindset.
4. Addressing Underlying Issues
Often postpartum depression stems from underlying emotional issues or trauma and can be related to feeling inadequate as a parent. How you feel varies from person to person, but generally involves concerns about your capability, new role and health.
Having hypnotherapy sessions to tackle these feelings allows you to identify these hidden traumas, access your subconscious mind and make room for more positive thoughts. This process allows you to move forward in your emotional healing journey.
5. Mind and Body Connection
The very foundation of my hypnotherapy sessions is forming a strong bond between your mind and body, allowing you to use your inner strength to overcome your physical challenges. Through targeted techniques and guided exercises, I will not only address your mental issues but also enable your overall well-being.
Explore The Benefits Of Hypnotherapy for Postpartum Depression With Susannah
If you are struggling with postpartum depression, I can help.
As an experienced and qualified hypnotherapist, I am a firm believer that our problems stem from the very depths of our subconscious mind. In my sessions, I will focus on you alone, identifying the issues you are dealing with and the goals you want to achieve. Dedicating time to this practice enables significant changes and improvements in your life.
We will further explore the root causes of your issues and work together to resolve them. I approach every problem uniquely, which helps me understand you better and guide you to progress.
Whether you are dealing with job interview anxiety, depression, stress, sleep issues, low self-confidence or more, together, we can overcome it all.
To learn more about my treatments, contact us now!
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