In this case study, we explore how Ash, who had been struggling with long-term anxiety and depression, found relief and renewed purpose through anxiety and depression hypnotherapy. After years of feeling isolated and overwhelmed, Ash sought help to rebuild social connections and rediscover a sense of fulfilment through anxiety and depression hypnotherapy.
Presenting Concern
Ash approached hypnotherapy with feelings of depression and anxiety “always there in the background.” Whilst not suffering from any attacks of panic or rapid or sudden onset of anxiety, the negative hum of these unwanted and continuous feelings made Ash feel like every task was, as they put it, “like an Olympian exercise.”
Their lack of timekeeping continued to affect them considerably, and, as a parent, this was always a concerning issue. This led Ash to retreat from making important appointments, decline social events, and distance themselves from family and friends. Ash felt increasingly isolated, reclusive, and deeply depressed, leaving them with an “omnipresent feeling of anxiety” which had been existing for over 15 years.
The Approach
Over several sessions, Ash began to take small, sometimes micro steps towards regaining social connections—by text at first, then through calls, and eventually meeting up for coffee or walks in the local park with a trusted, close friend. Slowly venturing out at a manageable pace, Ash understood the need to move at a rate that was right for them depending on the day and noticed that this rate of effort would change due to circumstances in other areas of life.
We worked through how things could look moving forward, and Ash began to create and engage in some new challenges. Now, with grown children, they began to contemplate the option of returning to work. This newfound engagement in wanting to experience more fulfilment, coupled with a gentle, manageable effort in trying new things, offered Ash a greater sense of value and purpose. Through this gradual change, they left saying, “Every day just gets a little bit easier.”
Ash’s Words
“It wasn’t paralysing and I never had panic attacks, but the anxiety was always there in the background, in every single aspect of my day, transforming every task into an Olympic exercise. Most of all when I had to deal with timekeeping. The prospect of being late for anything turned me into an extremely tense mother and wife who was prone to shouting.
I hated myself after these episodes. Later, I began avoiding social events and became a reclusive person.
As I couldn’t cope with the idea of being late for anything, I decided to have as few appointments as I can, with friends, family, work, anything really. For more than 16 years I have struggled with an omnipresent anxiety. Twice, it’s leant over into depression. I lived half a life for almost two decades, and worst of all I made my family become reclusive too and weary of my nervousness towards any social commitments.
Five months later, I’m still working on the anxiety, but I can now consider going to a party, maybe have a few people over, I might even go back to work.
But the best thing that happened after I started hypnotherapy with Nick is that every chore, every challenge I have to face seems much easier than before.
Also, I start to see solutions to problems and they are no longer daunting and impossible. Life gets easier every day.
Nick is practical and very affable. I’m really thankful for having found him.”
