It’s common knowledge that in the last 10 year’s rates of depression have increased significantly and this has been attributed to many things; increasing social isolation, financial pressures and the sharp increase in social media usage to name just a few. Last week research was released by King’s College London which showed that there was a significant spike in prescriptions for depression after the referendum vote in 2016 and UK mental health charity Mind released a statement citing Brexit and the policies of austerity as contributing factors in the increasing rates of depression in the UK.
Perhaps you’re one of the people who feels trapped by the uncertainty which surrounds our political situation. A recent poll carried out found that 83% of people were sick of seeing Brexit dominate the news every day and that they are disenchanted by the process. Nearly 2/3 of the people surveyed believed that the ongoing uncertainty was negatively impacting their mental health.
Dealing with anxiety and stress is part of every-day life and it’s clear that the chaos surrounding Brexit has piled the pressure onto many of us. For a variety of reasons, not everyone finds it easy to cope with these pressures and this is where elevated, chronic stress levels and anxiety disorders can creep in.
So how do we deal more effectively with the increased levels of stress and anxiety that are affecting us so strongly at the moment? A simple step everyone can take is to look to do something that will bring us pleasure. When we choose positive activities to focus on, instead of being drawn to the news or ruminating over ‘what if…’ we can distract ourselves from unhelpful thoughts. A good book and time with loved ones can help shift perspective and leave us feeling better.
The UK Mental Health Foundation recommends that if anxiety and stress are negatively affecting your life for a period of several weeks, help should be sought. Instead of turning to antidepressants, talking therapies like clinical hypnotherapy can help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
Hypnotherapy is a way to quickly shift your thinking patterns, allowing you to see events with greater perspective and clarity. Many clients report that a session of hypnotherapy gives them a feeling of well-being that lasts them several days, which serves to aid them as they learn new and more effective ways of thinking about events and managing their stresses.
The NCH has close to 2,000 highly qualified and experienced therapists on its register across the UK. To find a qualified and insured hypnotherapist near you, click here to access the directory of NCH accredited therapists.