Depression

Why Alcohol Can Make You Feel More Depressed and Anxious

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Have you ever noticed when you have had one too many drinks the night before and you wake up with that horrible feeling of anxiety that washes over you?  There is actually a name for this – “Hangxiety” !!!!!

I have never been a big drinker myself and also being half Vietnamese, I fell into the bracket of people that experience Asian flush.  This is a condition where you develop flushes or blotches on your face and neck.  It is due to a deficiency of a liver enzyme called ALDH2.

Having experienced “hangxiety” on a few occasions, lead me to make the decision to pretty much give up alcohol.   I may have the odd glass on special occasions but those days of going out with friends when I was younger and drinking one too many are now a distant memory!  I figured, it just wasn’t worth that anxious feeling the next morning or the blotchy face for that matter!!!!  This was just a personal decision for me, and I am not suggesting others give up alcohol.  However, it is helpful to understand what happens in our brain when we drink. People that are already prone to suffering with anxiety and depression, are more likely to suffer the negative effects of alcohol.

When we drink alcohol the brain’s reward system is flooded with dopamine.  While it may initially provide a temporary sense of relaxation or euphoria, alcohol can ultimately exacerbate feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression. When alcohol is consumed in large amounts over extended periods of time, dopamine levels start to plummet.   Your brain will be looking to regain that buzz and will overcompensate by encouraging you to drink more to feel better. While drinking alcohol initially boosts dopamine levels, the brain adapts to the dopamine overload, so with continued use, your brain will start to produce less dopamine.

It takes up to 72 hours for alcohol to leave your body and in that time you may experience low mood and anxiety as your brain and body are trying to get back into balance. Therefore, alcohol addiction can create a complex imbalance of dopamine in the brain.

Alcohol can also disrupt normal sleep patterns, which can have a significant impact on mental health. Poor sleep can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression, as well as fatigue and lack of concentration.

As mentioned earlier, individuals who already struggle with depression or anxiety may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of alcohol on mood and mental health. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional and to avoid using alcohol as a way to cope with negative emotions.

Please contact me to find out more how hypnotherapy can help you overcome these issues.

 

 

How To Improve Your Self Talk For Better Mental Health

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What is Self-talk?

Self-talk refers to the internal dialogue we have with ourselves, which can greatly impact our mental state and overall well-being. If your self-talk is negative or self-critical, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Strategies to help you manage and improve Your Self- Talk

Identify negative self-talk: The first step to improving your self-talk is to identify any negative thoughts or self-critical statements you make to yourself. Start paying attention to your internal dialogue and write down any negative thoughts you notice.

Challenge negative thoughts: Once you’ve identified negative self-talk, challenge those thoughts by questioning their validity. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support those thoughts or if they are based on assumptions or past experiences.

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones: After challenging negative thoughts, replace them with positive and empowering ones. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” try saying “I’m capable of figuring this out.”

Use affirmations: Affirmations are positive statements that you can repeat to yourself to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. Choose affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them to yourself regularly.

Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would treat a friend. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes.

Surround yourself with positive influences: Surround yourself with positive people and messages that reinforce positive self-talk. Limit exposure to negative influences, such as social media or news outlets that can fuel negative self-talk.

Helpful Reminders:

* Thoughts are not facts.
* Recognise when a thought pattern is no longer serving you.
* Do something that you enjoy to distract yourself.
* Remember we can’t control our thoughts, but we can control how much impact they have on us.

Seek Professional Support: If you are still struggling with managing your internal dialogue and it is affecting your mental health seek professional help from a registered therapist.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy:

As a clinical Hypnotherapist, I use Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy which works by helping you to identify and change negative thought patterns and replace them with positive, empowering ones. Hypnotherapy uses trance and deep relaxation techniques to access the subconscious mind and introduce new, positive suggestions.

Through hypnotherapy, you can learn to identify and challenge negative self-talk patterns and replace them with positive affirmations. I guide my clients to focus on their strengths and abilities and to visualise their desired outcome.  I will also ask the right questions that will help you to find solutions that help you to move forward.

If you would like to book an appointment, please contact me on 07795556301.