How to help someone with depression without drugs?

Compelling research evidence exists that there is often a neurophysiological basis for depression, particularly in people with a family history of depression.

The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and approach motivation, which is a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with depression and fear, accompanied by motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious.

According to ISNR website, it is interesting that research has found that antidepressants do not correct the type of brainwave pattern that we see above on the left. Thus, medication treatment for depression appears to still leave intact the biological predisposition for becoming more easily depressed when unpleasant life circumstances come along.

I am working in a proactive healthcare centre (non-drug approach) at Setapak as a psychologist. I am supervised by a medical doctor and a PHD level psychologist who specializing in biofeedback for more than 20 years. I am using clinical hypnotherapy and biofeedback methods to help my clients.
Our unique approach for depression appear very promising not only in bringing relief from depression, but in modifying the underlying biological predisposition for becoming depressed. Biofeedback focuses on retraining the brain, for example, reversing the frontal brainwave asymmetry, with the goal of producing an enduring change that does not require people to remain on medication indefinitely. Training often requires about 20 to 22 sessions.

(All retrieved from ISNR website)

[疗法小分享]Applied Psychophysiology

[疗法小分享]

与你分享一些不那么为人知晓的疗法。

如果你认为身边的某人情绪不佳又有忧郁倾向，既不是内科疾病，也不是严重到被认为是精神病的程度。但他又抗拒去见任何类型的治疗师，你可以推荐他来个脑力训练（我的方法是使用Applied Psychophysiology方法并结合临床催眠疗法）。

根据我的经验，这不难被说服；谁不想要提升专注力，IQ或记忆力呢？

针对脑部的训练，除了可以提升IQ能力，增强专注力记忆力等；

根据不同的脑部部位进行针对性训练下，研究显示还能够改善忧郁症呢！让人的情绪变得更正面。我有不少顾客在训练后，家人或有人都会发现他们的情绪都变得正面许多。

我所使用的疗法除了有许多研究论文支持，美国心理学会 (American Psychological Association)也肯定其为Proficiencies in Professional Psychology。

Clinical Hypnotherapy can help with Migraines

Article by Natural News

A migraine is a debilitating form of a headache. Many people suffer from migraines. Various triggers can produce the onset of a migraine. However, reducing the likelihood of a migraine occurring and getting rid of one once it occurs, can be challenging. Studies have been conducted showing that hypnotherapy can be quite beneficial to the migraine sufferer. In many studies, hypnosis has been shown to be more beneficial than medications.

Common triggers of migraines include hormonal changes, stress, food, changes in sleep patterns, medications, and changes in the surrounding environment. Symptoms of migraines vary from person to person, but many people report moderate to severe pain that pulsates, worsens with physical activity and interferes with day-to-day activity, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, and sometimes experiencing auras. A migraine can last for 4 to 72 hours, but frequency varies greatly.

One study compared the effect of hypnotherapy versus the prescription medication prochlorperazine (Stemetil). The study consisted of 47 participants who reported feedback every month for a year. They reported number of attacks per month, severity of attacks, and complete remission. Results of the study showed that those who received hypnotherapy reported far fewer migraine attacks compared to those who received medication. Out of 23 participants who received hypnotherapy, 10 of them ceased to experience migraines. Out of the 24 participants who used medication, 3 of them ceased to experience migraines.

Another study reported the benefits of behavioral therapy. These approaches include relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and hypnosis. Hypnosis can help migraine sufferers avoid triggers such as controlling stress and avoiding certain foods.

Two hypnotherapy techniques used in treating migraines include the hand warming and glove anesthesia. These techniques put migraine sufferers in control of their pain by helping them transfer warmth or numbness to their head where their head hurts. These techniques were shown to be more beneficial than simple relaxation exercises. This study concluded that medication is ineffective in treating chronic migraines and supports psychological treatment because there are no side effects.

These studies show that hypnotherapy and natural methods of treating migraine headaches are more effective than using medication. The fact that hypnosis has no side effects and many prescription medications have many side effects makes hypnotherapy a more natural and safe approach to treating migraines. In addition to no side effects, many studies have shown that the effects of hypnosis are more lasting and beneficial compared to the use of medication.
Sources

Anderson, J.A., Basker, M.A., & Dalton, R. (1975). Migraine and hypnotherapy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 23(1), 48-58.
Heap, M. (1988). Hypnosis: current clinical, experimental and forensic practices. Taylor & Francis.
Sandor, P.S. & Afra, J. (2007). Nonpharmacologic treatment of migraine. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 9(3), 202-205.