Hypnosis: A Natural Way to be Happy In A SSRI Fix World

Presenting an alternative to antidepressants (aka SSRIs)

This is a bold statement, but stick with me so I can explain fully . . .

Being depressed or anxious seems like the new normal.

It’s what so many of the clients I meet, and others I know or read about on social media, are all talking about.

As a hypnotist since 2002, I know how powerful the lure of an ‘association’ or ‘identification’ with a group can be. In my work, I often see a longing to become a “better” version of oneself, which can be a wonderfully positive thing. It’s when our “identity” is hitched onto someone else’s that’s the problem.

When emotions become trends:

Now, let me explain how that works in the age of social media, a virtual “Wild West” where it can be difficult to discern between authentic artists and “influencers” and those who just want to hop on the hashtag bandwagon. “Mental Health Awareness” started as a month in which to shine a light on a very important cause but it just seemed to reinforce having a mental illness.

Celebrities and influencers alike have taken to posting about their experiences with mental illness, whether it be anxiety, depression, or some other issue. But now mental illness has just become another trend, with often uninformed audiences identifying with these serious issues as a means to be more like their idols. It has been normalized.

Yet, when sadness and anxiety become a trend, a diagnosis becomes something to wave around like a flag for attention on TikTok. The seriousness of the situation becomes watered down for social acceptance and credibility.

Of course, it’s human nature to want to be a part of something that most everyone is talking about. Identifying as having mental health issues just becomes another way to be part of the “in crowd.” They call it reduces the “stigma” behind mental illness, but it is popularizing it.

Making mental health into a trend is dangerous. More than ever, it seems like doctors can’t write prescriptions for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, aka SSRIs, fast enough (see stats below). While these drugs can successfully treat anxiety and depression, they’re not intended for long-term use, and SSRI withdrawals bring their own host of mental and physical problems. This way of dealing with emotions could ultimately leave a generation of young people overmedicated and overwhelmed. And without tools to handle life events and problems.

Now, I’m not denying one’s anxious feelings, but in all the talk about anxiety and depression, we’ve forgotten one fact: there is a normal amount of anxiousness (fear) and sadness in the human experience.

It is not a condition; it is information.

Emotions are like the warning lights or alerts on the dashboard of the car that let us know something needs our attention. For example, when we feel sad, that feeling needs to be validated. So, we subconsciously search on social media, talk to friends, listen to sad music or watch tearjerker movies, exposing ourselves to an overabundance of sad “content.”

Our subconscious takes in all these feelings of gloom and sorrow and creates even more sadness. We subconsciously seek it out, instead of asking “why am I feeling sad?” or “what can I do to feel better?” The same is true of any emotion.

This is the case in all emotions except one: happiness. When we’re happy, do we tend to seek out other happy people? I personally don’t. I just enjoy my happy state. Why? Because, in a happy state, there is no need for validation.

But when it comes to troubling emotions like anger, sadness, or nervousness, we either seek out some form of validation for it, or we go within and do nothing. I am not sure why this is from a psychological perspective, but it’s something I’ve witnessed with my hypnosis clients during their intake.

Sadness, anxiety, anger, and other feelings are all feelings that need to be processed in a healthy and responsible way. But when they’re not, it can create a state of depression. When acute sadness, anger, and anxiety persist, they become chronic, and that’s when people reach for medication.

There are natural way of dealing with troublesome emotions:

Everyone feels down at one time or another. It’s a natural indicator that it might be time to seek out someone to talk to, look for options regarding how to deal with those feelings, learn from them, and the like.

Sadly, medication is the most likely path to emotional healing that people are offered, doctors want their patients to feel better and they do not have time to delve into the whys of their problems.

The natural ways of getting out of bad feelings are rarely talked about in mainstream health. This page I found on the National Institute of Health’s website does offer some alternatives. It also provides a description of depression and other important information.

Hypnosis to transform chronic sadness, fear, and nervousness naturally:

Getting off a prescribed drug doesn’t mean the reason you needed to be on them went away. Seeking treatment for depression and anxiety in a non-drug way is essential. Medications are trying to help with these emotions, but end up dulling and numbing one to the pain of life rather than creating healthy ways to manage life’s ups and downs.

Through hypnosis sessions, you can get back to your natural state of happiness and good health.

How we do it:

The Flow Center’s program has been helping people for decades who want to transform their lives using the power of their own mind.

Journey deep into your subconscious: You’ll be guided into a deeply relaxed state that lets all other thoughts fall away to create a calm mind and relaxed body. Being in this state allows your subconscious to be receptive to new positive suggestions. And in addition, the hypnotist can gently uncover the root of the current emotional state and transform it through a variety of techniques.

Doing so changes the perspective of past events so the old triggers fade. In other words, what used to make you feel anxious, angry or sad will no longer have power over you. Nice to know.

Create new healthy and positive habits: Through the process of transforming memories and the emotions attached to them you can create a new belief system based on self-love. This new belief will transform the way you see, respond, and attach meaning to your life. Instead of the negative emotions and patterns you once had, you’ll be able to create new healthy habits like good nutrition, movement, hobbies and even new friendships. And, you’ll be able to step confidently into new habits knowing that they will easily guide you to attaining your goals.

Imagine a future where it is all possible: Imagine yourself in the new future as happy and healthy. You’ll be able to move towards your goals and dreams now that nothing is holding you back. Boldly embrace a new mindset where the opportunities open to you are infinite. Nothing is beyond you. In fact, happiness and positivity are at the forefront of your mind.

See the benefits of self-love: The result is a gentle and effective ability to return to your natural love for yourself. It’s always been there, but it eroded over time when those negative beliefs crept in. Now that you’ve transformed those feelings, you have the right for your self-esteem to shine.

Other options besides hypnosis and in addition to for getting back your happiness.

• One on One Relational Therapy (most insurance plans cover something like this)
• Daily exercise
• Nutrition- Eat whole foods
• Reduce screen time – scrolling is not “downtime.” Social media is mind-dulling, limits our ability to be creative on our own
• Meditation for grounding and staying present
• Spirituality or church community
• Creativity (art, music, etc)
• Journaling
• Intellectual pursuits that are purposeful and stimulating
• Find time for nature – get inspired to take a Hypnotic Trip
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep (a dark room and white noise can help ease you into sleep)

“If mind feels better – body feels better
if body feels better the mind is better”
-Dr. Christine Marra, Psychologist

How hypnosis can support you during the SSRI tapering off period:

Hypnosis works very well at limiting symptoms of menopause, pain, and nicotine cessation, so why not this? We work with a client’s beliefs about what life will be like off of the medication. This helps to reframe the idea of life without reliance on medications as more positive and achievable.

Withdrawal symptoms can be a psychosomatic effect of the mind. If we expect to have them, we probably will. That is not to say they aren’t real, but it shows you just how powerful our minds are.

Additionally, we would work to resolve any past events that could create a return of the anxiety/depressive symptoms. By releasing the past, it helps clients stand firmly and confidently in the now, and step into their new future of which they are now the director.

This is the most important aspect. If someone has endured years of depression and medication, they have forgotten how life can be. The subconscious is wonderfully imaginative and can work to build new ideas and feelings that create a natural movement towards a happier life.

If you are taking SSRIs and want to get off these drugs, you must talk to your doctor. The medical community is still learning how to guide and support those looking to taper off of SSRIs. Even so, you MUST be under a doctor’s supervision if you want to slowly reduce your dosage and eventually be off of them completely.

If you want to taper off of SSRIs, here are two links to organizations that can help, keep in mind that it is not a quick process:

THE TAPER CLINIC

THE INNER COMPASS

DISCLAIMER: The Inner Compass

The process of reducing or tapering off psychiatric medication is inherently risky and can be especially dangerous and potentially life-threatening if done faster than one’s body can handle. Inner Compass Initiative’s website sets forth information which relates to this process. Inner Compass Initiative shares such information for the sole purpose of making it available for general educational purposes to those who are interested in it. The information does not constitute Inner Compass Initiative’s advice, encouragement, or recommendation that any individual reduce or taper off of his or her intake of psychiatric medication.

DISCLAIMER: The Flow Center

None of the information and resources at The Flow Center web constitutes or should be seen as medical, mental health, counseling, clinical or professional advice of any kind. Hypnosis does not treat depression or anxiety. It supports the person by finding a calm space within, teaches how to relax, increases confidence in the future and improves one’s self esteem, and helps develop new healthy habits for movement and nutrition. In addition, hypnosis sessions connect to the creative part of them that can help with finding purpose, making new friends or getting a new hobby. All that which makes live more meaningful.

If you have questions, please schedule a no fee 20 min phone consultation.