Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal Thoughts

Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal Thoughts?

Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal Thoughts?  When actor Robin Williams committed suicide, it shocked many people. Tributes around the world flooded social media.  People had to come to terms with the fact that one of the zaniest, funniest men on the planet was dead.  That he killed himself at the age of 63.  Suicide in men normally happens aged between 25 and 65 years old. Depression eventually overcame his desire to live despite hanging on as long as he did.

The Numbers

According to the World Health Organisation, depression is the number one leading disability in the world.   An estimated 350 million people globally suffer from it. Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women, with depression normally being the major factor.

People regularly band the word ‘depression’ about freely.  “Oh, I can’t afford new shoes – I feel depressed!”  Or maybe,  “I’m working and can’t go to the pub – I’m so depressed!”   These are the same people who tell you they are ‘dying of flu’ when all they have is a head cold.  Along with they are literally ‘starving’ because they haven’t eaten in four hours!

The effect of Depression

Depression is a very real, debilitating condition and if you genuinely have it you will know! Some use the analogy of having a big, black cloud hanging over them; others say it’s like having a big, black dog following them around. We’ve all experienced days where there is an unusual stillness about the day.  It is almost as if the world has stopped revolving.  It feels like everything seems muffled and somehow unreal.  Also, there is something missing but you can’t put your finger on it.  In spite of this,  you just go about your day as usual.  Usually, until it passes or the wind whips up and the birds start singing again.

Living With Depression

Living with depression means every day feels like that. There is complete hopelessness like continually treading water never getting to the edge or touching the bottom. There is a feeling of detachment from even those closest to you. Life is futile and you cannot see any point in carrying on. Many will do nothing about it as they couldn’t put their loved ones through the grief. They carry on throughout their lives with a false smile forever on their face while they cry on the inside forever.  Undoubtedly,  fantasising about their life coming to a welcoming end.

Feeling Trapped by Depression

There can be many signs or none at all. For some, they cry out for help hoping someone will listen and help them. They may talk about killing themselves or that they feel useless and a burden. That they feel trapped.  Perhaps, they may drink more, abuse drugs, or sleep erratically.  Also, they may deliberately isolate themselves away from family and friends not wanting to go out or socialise.  Some may start getting their affairs in order or start giving away personal belongings.

However, for some, there is no prior warning, no signs, no indications they were ever even slightly unhappy.   The sort of guy who is the life and soul of the party.  Only afterwards do those closest to the suicide victim start recalling the odd incident and piece together their last few weeks or months.  Only then they may see the signs they so easily missed.

Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal ThoughtsCan Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal Thoughts

Depression is normally slow-growing, a continuum that gradually creeps up on the person before becoming all-consuming. Sometimes they don’t even know the root cause which makes them then feel guilty for having these feelings.   Robin Williams appeared to have it all.  Success, money, good health and a loving family among other things.  However, it is not enough when depression sets in.

Attachment

Many people assume winning the lottery would solve all their problems and they would be happy.  Or maybe if they were thinner or prettier all their problems and unhappiness would melt away.  However, change has to come from within.  Material wealth will make no difference to a person’s well-being and happiness.   Nor will cosmetically enhanced imagery or dieting.

Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal Thoughts

Let’s consider the question fully, can hypnotherapy banish suicidal thoughts?  Maxwell Maltz was a famous plastic surgeon in the 1950s.  He noted that many of his patients with disfigurements were still unhappy after surgery.  Sadly, they still felt ugly after their face reconstructions.  However, their ugliness was felt from the inside.  They needed to change from the inside and their negativity addressed.  Ultimately, their physical appearance was not the issue.

Looking in the mirror, they still saw ugliness.  He realised their self-image was contorted.   The feelings associated with the pain they felt in the past whether physical or psychological were still there.

For some people, the psychological scars ran much deeper than any physical ones. In order to accept the physical change on the outside, they first had to address how they felt on the inside.

Can Hypnotherapy Help Depression?

There are many medications available to treat depression and episodic sadness.  However, many of these have side effects, some of which can make the patient feel worse before they feel better. Ironically side effects listed with the medication will often include ‘may have suicidal thoughts’.

Iris Chang a young American Activist and Human Rights campaigner committed suicide leaving behind a young son and loving husband.  Her mother wrote a book of her memoirs.  Iris sought medical intervention as she was desperately crying out for help. However, the only treatment she received was antidepressants.  Unfortunately, no other treatment or monitoring was offered.

Seeking the truth during her research for her book ‘The Rape of Nanking’ played heavily on her mind.  The Chinese massacre happened in 1937-38.  The stories she heard and the pictures she saw must have been horrific.   Ultimately, she could not cope with the magnitude of this Holocaust.  Along with the utter helplessness of the situation, people must have faced.

Although these drugs can help lift the person out of depression, they don’t tackle the underlying cause. However, it is important that advice and support is sought medical or otherwise as soon as depression is suspected.

Hypnotherapy -A Safe method

So can hypnotherapy banish suicidal thoughts? Well, a safe and effective way to combat depression is with hypnosis.  Hypnosis can successfully challenge the mental anguish and inner fight the person has with their mood and feelings of hopelessness. A good therapist will guide the person on a journey to a time when they felt uplifted.  Also, when life felt worth living and they were in a better frame of mind.  The whole process of hypnosis from beginning to end is beneficial to the person with depression. Furthermore, they are in a nice, relaxed environment.  Any memories or feelings that leave them uncomfortable do not need to be disclosed.  The therapy can be content free.

The Process

The hypnotherapist will respect the pace they want to go.   Sometimes just laying back relaxing, having someone to talk to can begin the process of recovery. For some people memories are what cause their depression. Something from the past that either happened to them or someone close to them can leave them spiralling downwards. The memory plays over and over again in their mind. Eventually,  it starts to consume them until it fully encompasses them.

Feelings of inadequacy run through their mind.  Perhaps they could do things differently or it could turn out better.   In this case, the therapist will work on how to change the feelings associated with the memories. He will use techniques proven to change their mindset.  The memories will remain but how they feel towards them will be totally different.  Subsequently, they will be emotionally removed from them.

Other reasons for depression could be because of a trauma suffered by the person.   This could be from abuse, the loss of a loved one, suffering from ill health or from environmental or financial hardship.  Again, the therapist will access the unconscious mind and teach methods to detach them from the negative feelings associated with the cause.  For example, the problem may be financial hardship that is causing the depression.  Obviously, the therapist won’t be able to improve their fortune. However, he can get them to disassociate from the panic and futile feelings that go hand in hand every time the problem arises.

The Survivors

We mustn’t forget the survivors of suicide.  The families who have to live with the anguish.  Perhaps of feeling helpless that they did not see the signs or take the person seriously assuming they were just feeling down. Survivors’ guilt can then lead to an overwhelming feeling of grief. If not treated this too can then lead to depression as they continuously battle with ‘what if’ and ‘if only’. Hypnosis can greatly help them look at the problem logically and alleviate their symptoms. This enables them to understand that they were not in any way to blame.  Sadly, they could. not have done anything differently.

It is easy to blame the suicide victim and say he was selfish. Selfish to put his family and friends through such a trauma.  Plus, selfish not to appreciate all they had whether in a material sense or having been much loved. In fact, they are very brave.  Many of them will have been suffering from inner anguish for years. Undoubtedly, they’re mental health suffering because they knew their families would be devastated.

The Stigma

Can Hypnotherapy Banish Suicidal ThoughtsRobin Williams would not have made this decision lightly nor would it have been on a whim. The pressure for someone like him to always be expected to be the ‘clown’ firing off jokes at the drop of a hat must have been enormous. He just simply could not take it anymore. Life became too difficult to live.

Stigma is still attached to depression.  When they hear the word ‘mental health’ many people back off. It is not a disease, nor is it catching.  Fortunately, it is very treatable and yet too many suffer sometimes for many years in silence.  We can help you embrace that black dog, and give it a pat on the head.  While acknowledging it then sending it on its way.  Also, we can help banish that dark cloud enabling you to see the sun shining in the sky once more so that you can see and appreciate life.

We can throw you that life jacket and guide you to the shore and enable you to live the life you deserve. Do not suffer in silence, let us help you live your life to the full.

Hopefully, this article has given you some answers to the question can Hypnotherapy banish suicidal thoughts.

For more information on the question can Hypnotherapy banish suicidal thoughts or to arrange a session in person or via Skype please contact me.

23 Comments

  • Isobel D

    August 25, 2014

    This article made me cry as it describes my son to a tee. He was 23 years old when he killed himself – we had no idea as he always appeared cheery and it was only when we read the notes he left behind were we able to understand the anguish he had been going through. There was no help back then and I just wish he had sought help but it was such a taboo subject and it wasn’t ‘manly’ to admit you were suffering as you were just expected to get on with it. I used hypnosis in recent years which finally helped me to come to terms with what he had done as I always felt such a failure that I had let him down. If you are reading this and feel life isn’t worth living I urge you to try hypnosis. If only we knew of it back then my son could very well still be alive today. If only…

  • Clare S

    August 25, 2014

    That’s interesting. My sister was on antidepressants the second time she overdosed. She saw a counsellor the hospital referred her to but she found she couldn’t open up to him and gave up after 4 visits. We all worry so much for her and are constantly looking for signs as to whether she is spiralling down again. I’ve just read all your blogs and this seems to be a really good way to help her without her feeling overwhelmed. I’m going to suggest she comes with me for weight loss first as I know she feels overweight which also gets her down. Thank you for taking the time to write such an in depth article and understanding exactly what people like my sister are going through.

  • DaveA

    August 26, 2014

    Yeah it’s sad to see a celebrity who lived to make everyone laugh, go out in such a way. I never would have seen such a celeb commit suicide, then again, maybe the ones who keep it so secret are the ones who will end up doing it. My brother as of late has been really depressed, can’t sleep and drinks often. I am trying to tell him to get a job and get out there in the world, but he’s too self conscious about himself. Maybe I should suggest hypnosis and see what he thinks. He’s very stubborn, so i don’t know if he’d do it though. I don’t think he’s suicidal, but that’s the thing, I wouldn’t know. He tells me he would never do it, but I am very paranoid to the point I believe he could do it, and I hope he is telling the truth.

  • Jessie Cambell

    August 26, 2014

    Suicide is a very serious act that many do to get out of their stress filled lives. I know for one I’ve had thoughts in the past and I’ve hated the idea of it. I would never commit suicide because it’d hurt so many people. But there are people that use it as a way out, and they can’t help but give up. It’s sad, and I wish more people would consider hypnosis or other forms of therapy before they make such a hurtful decision. Death is not a way out, it just furthers someone elses hurt.

  • Roger B.

    August 26, 2014

    I couldn’t believe Robin Williams committed suicide. I never would have thought for a second that he’d be willing to end his own life. Then again, I guess they mask their depression fairly easily. I’ve been depressed in my day, and still deal with it sometimes, but there’s never been a thought that ran through my mind where I’d want to end my own life. I understand why someone would want to, but I wish they at least look for help in some way. Hypnosis sounds like it could truly open a persons mind and I hope it helps open the minds of those suffering with suicidal thoughts. Don’t let suicide be a thing. Fight it.

  • Andrea Martin

    August 26, 2014

    Hypnosis helped me stop my suicidal thoughts and actually got me to get out of my funk. I was very depressed a few years back and was contemplating suicide. Though I never actually pushed myself to doing it, I had thought of it and could have one day if I didn’t use hypnotherapy to save my life. I suggest everyone try it. It helps.

  • Nick Rodney

    August 26, 2014

    I’ve dealt with depression and suicide in my life. People I’ve known have ended up killing themselves and they don’t always show signs of it. I wish I knew so I could have suggested hypnosis to help them cope with their problems in life. It’s a very depressing thing to know someone and to find out they killed themselves.

    Anyways, hypnosis truly does work and I suggest anyone who has suicidal thoughts to try hypnosis sessions.

  • Kim

    August 27, 2014

    Hypnosis has worked wonders for me when I was dealing with suicidal thoughts at a young age. These days I still have them, but it’s more of a thought rather than a want, if that makes any sense. Anyways, hypnosis has changed my mind about suicide, where I once wanted to end my life I now want to live life to the fullest.

  • Dacamron88

    August 27, 2014

    When I heard of Robin Williams suicide, I was devastated. He’s was my favorite actor and will forever be. He was such a funny guy and a talented actor. The sad truth is that he was able to mask his pain so well with his comedy and his acting, and it’s sometimes hard to tell what a man like him would be thinking. With the weight of his Parkinson revelation, it seems like maybe he felt he was stuck in a hole that kept getting bigger and the only way out was to end his life. That’s what depression does to someone, it tears them apart and weakens them. I suggest trying hypnosis because there’s a potential it can help those with depression and or suicidal thoughts.

  • Nicole Savage

    August 27, 2014

    Hypnosis can truly help in some ways of curbing the suicidal thoughts. It’s not easy, but it can help out in some ways. I had suicidal thoughts a few years back when my brother died. I wanted to end my life but instead I tried hypnosis after my parents suggested it. It worked pretty good, in that I remembered my brother would have wanted me to go on and live a happy life instead.

  • Donald G.

    August 27, 2014

    I believe that hypnosis can fix anything. Addiction, fears and suicidal thoughts all can be fixed or helped in some way by using hypnosis. It may not be a fast process, but trust me when I say this, it will take time, but with each hypnotherapy session, you will gradually lose the idea of wanting to commit suicide.

  • Jane Hoyle

    August 27, 2014

    Robin Williams was a brilliant man. It was sad when I heard he committed suicide. I had no idea he would have done that, but then again, people can keep that side hidden from so many people. I never would have guessed Mr. Williams would have done such a thing, but then again, he was a pro actor who could mask who and what he was. He had pain in him and he felt suicide was the only way out.

    But of course, suicide is never the way out. Try therapy, use hypnosis and try to live a happy life by trying new things and experiences.

  • Carl McGraw

    August 28, 2014

    I’ve been through suicidal thoughts as a teen and an adult. Thankfully these days I barely have any bad thoughts, but in those days I was bullied and felt like the world was against me. And a lot of people who deal with severe depression literally feel like everyone is against them. I have taken anti-depressants and they work to some extent, but they don’t always work. Hypnosis was the only thing that helped me. I was able to see myself as a real person as someone and not something. I was part of the world and still am.

  • Stacey Bloom

    August 28, 2014

    I truly believe hypnotherapy can help banish suicidal thoughts by showing people they are important and have a place in peoples hearts. I had a good friend who committed suicide, all because a girl broke up with him. He was devastated and took his own life. I never understood why until now. I truly wish for more people to get as much help as they can get before they decide to take their own lives. There’s no need to ever do it as there is hope and there is help out there. Hypnosis may be one of the best, so please give it a try.

  • Ann J.

    August 28, 2014

    Suicidal thoughts have gone through my head in the past. I have always wondered why I thought of such things. I tried therapy, medicine, nothing worked. But a friend of mine told me to try out hypnotherapy and ever since I’ve been happy. I take sessions every month and I am gradually growing in a healthier person because of it. Now days, I don’t even have it cross my mind, it’s as if I never thought of it before. There is help out there people, you just need to know where to look for it.

  • Ethan Smith

    August 28, 2014

    When I heard that Robin Williams had ended his own life. I couldn’t believe it. As in I said “No way, it’s not possible”, but as the news kept coming in and everything I saw on social media sites, it become more and more true. A celeb I grew to love as a child, a celeb who made me laugh in rough times. It sucks that such a talent is gone. I truly wish he had taken hypnotherapy to help him out, but he was probably doubtful. I just hope people try any therapy available to them, because who knows, we could still have Robin Williams and millions of others with us today.

  • Lisa Arden

    August 28, 2014

    Very depressing time seeing as Robin Williams was one of the best comedians/actors around who I looked up to. Now that he ended his own life, I feel like he gave up on his family and fans. I know that’s not right of me to think, but I’ve dealt with suicide in my life and it sucks. I really am interested in seeing if hypnosis can actually help people with suicidal thoughts, so I’ll share with my really good friend in the hopes it’ll help her. Shes’ been dealing with suicidal thoughts since the death of her father. He committed suicide as well, so it’s a very hard thing for her to deal with and now she has feelings of hurting herself.

  • Sam Jr.

    August 29, 2014

    I had no idea that hypnosis was a real deal type of thing. I knew that people tried it, but I never believed it was used for health reasons and getting over suicidal thoughts. I wish I knew of this during high school as I was often hating myself. Well, it’s great to know it works, so if I ever have such problems I will certainly try it out.

  • Heather22

    August 29, 2014

    Suicidal thoughts seems to run through my family. My mother has dealt with them as well as my father, my uncle actually committed suicide at a young age since I never met him. For me though I have had them, but they were never to the point where I would literally try to kill myself. It’s hard though, because the thought of it can really scare me. I try not to think of it, but it just pops up in my head. I really want to try hypnotherapy to see just how helpful it can be. And I have high hopes it will help.

  • Devin Miles

    August 29, 2014

    I’ve tried to commit suicide once when I was 15, it was a really rough time for me and I just wanted a way out. My father caught me nearly hanging myself and he sat me down and we had a serious discussion. The discussion was about getting help, and that was the first time anyone seemed to care to help. Of course, my father had tried to help many times and I just never knew it. Anyways I tried your typical therapist, tried changing my diet and even moved to a different city, none of it worked. That is until I found out about hypnosis and I started watching self help hypnosis videos on YouTube. It truly has helped open my mind a bit and I really have been getting better. I want to try a real hypnotherapist soon, so I hope I can find one in my area.

  • Emily Simms

    August 29, 2014

    I cried like crazy when I heard Robin Williams died. I can’t believe it. It still feels like it’s unreal to me. Anyways I know depression and what comes with it. I never thought of suicide when I was depressed, but I know people who have and how tragic it can truly be. If hypnosis works, I say give it a try to those who are in need of any help. The worst thing you can do is go into hiding and not address your problem, and hypnosis I believe has the potential to help many people. Thanks for sharing this really interesting article.

  • James Wright

    August 29, 2014

    I’ve had my fair share of suicidal thoughts and near attempts in my life. It’s a very serious thing and it’s as if I was never in the right state of mind. I was able to mask it so well that my depression went unknown to my family for nearly five years. I finally came out about it and told my family I was depressed and had nearly attempted to end my life countless times, only to get too scared to do it. I’m happy now days, as I got a great girlfriend, and I talk to a psychologist every other week. The thing is, I did try hypnosis and it’s the reason my life changed for the better. I was able to actually get over the idea of talking about my problems, in the past I was too scared to come forward and tell people my true feelings. Ever since I tried hypnosis, my mind is as if I never wanted to kill myself. It’s brilliant! I’m so happy today, and everyone out there should try to fight this disease. Trust me, you can win.

  • Emma Grant

    September 2, 2014

    I remember reading a book once when I was younger aimed at teenagers and it was about a girl who wanted to commit suicide. In the book a woman found her sitting at the edge of a bridge and basically talked her out if it. She told her that not only was she killing the 18 year old girl but also the 26 year old who was in love with an amazing man, the 36 year old mother of 3, the 40 year old with a successful business, the adventurous 45 year old who travelled the world and the 70 year old Grandmother who was loved by all her family and gave out wise advice. Although despair at the time can be all encompassing, circumstances change, moods shift and she would be denying all those stages in her life by not giving them a chance to live and flourish. At the end of the book it did jump ahead 20 years and true to form she was in a very happy place, loving life and often saying a silent prayer to herself that she survived. A good hypnotherapist can help you look at the big picture and change your mindset. I know, I was that 18 year old once and if my parents hadn’t sought help when they did I wouldn’t now be happily married with a gorgeous little girl and a fantastic husband. Like that woman on the bridge, my therapist helped me make that shift and I will always be indebted to him.