How a Breakup Can Effect Mental Health and How Hypnosis Can Help

The breakup of a romantic relationship can be seen as an emotionally upsetting event that can lead to multiple symptoms related to sadness, grief and depression and can also result in an increased risk of developing a depressive episode or takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome) which is a type of heart attack by emotional duress such as a sudden illness, the loss of a loved one, a serious accident, or a natural disaster [1,2,3,4,5].

For example, in a university student sample, severe breakup distress was measured with a questionnaire concerning symptoms of grief, accompanied by feelings of betrayal and rejection, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, intrusive thoughts about the ex-partner and sleep disturbances.  The elapsed time since the breakup, self-reported quality of the former relationship, feelings of betrayal and depression scores especially predicted the severity of breakup distress [1]. Additionally, women reported higher breakup distress scores compared to men in that study [1].

In a study of Stoessel et al. [2], all of the subjects with a relationship breakup in the preceding six months and experiencing feelings of sadness about the breakup reported symptoms corresponding to clinical depression.

A study published on the American Journal of Psychiatry had shown that women with a breakup in the preceding four months, found high levels of complicated grief (extreme symptoms of grief interfering with daily life functioning) present in four of the eight subjects. In addition, a different brain pattern (increased activity in posterior regions such as the cerebellum and decreased activity in anterior regions such as the insula and temporal cortex) was found in these women when ruminating about their ex-partner in comparison with thinking about an acquaintance in a neutral manner[3].

It can be challenging to move on, but there are a few ways that hypnosis can help and save you some recovery time.

One way that works with hypnosis to get over a breakup is by helping to reduce the emotional pain associated with the breakup. When we experience emotional pain, it can feel like a physical wound that needs to be healed. Unfortunately, the emotional pain of a breakup does not always go away on its own, and it can linger for a long time, making it difficult to move on. Through hypnosis, it is possible to access the subconscious mind and modify the negative thought patterns or beliefs that may be causing this emotional pain to persist beyond a healthy range.

For example, if you are struggling with feelings of worthlessness or self-doubt after a breakup, hypnosis may be able to help you reframe these thoughts and beliefs in a more positive and empowering way. By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnosis can help to change the way you think about yourself and your worth, which can ultimately help to reduce the emotional pain associated with the breakup.

Another way that hypnosis can help with getting over a breakup is by helping to reduce cravings for the ex-partner. It is common to have thoughts or cravings for an ex-partner after a breakup, and these cravings can make it difficult to move on. These cravings may be driven by a variety of factors, including feelings of attachment, loneliness, or a desire for closure. Hypnosis may be able to help you reduce these cravings by accessing the subconscious mind for the purpose of modifying the associations and behaviors that are driving these addictive-like drives..

For example, if you find yourself constantly thinking about your ex-partner or longing for their presence, hypnosis may be able to help you break these thought patterns and create new, healthier associations. This can involve identifying and reframing negative beliefs about the breakup or about yourself, as well as finding new ways to cope with feelings of loneliness or attachment.

In addition to these specific benefits, hypnosis can also help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can be helpful in the aftermath of a breakup. Breakups can be emotionally and physically draining, and it is important to take care of yourself and find ways to relax and recharge. Hypnosis can be a useful tool for helping you to relax and release tension, as it involves inducing a state of deep relaxation and focusing the mind on positive thoughts and imagery.

When you are feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained, hypnosis can be a helpful way to take a break and refocus your energy. By entering into a state of hypnosis, you can allow yourself to let go of stress and focus on feelings of calm and relaxation, which can ultimately help to reduce the emotional impact of the breakup.

It's important to note that hypnosis is not a magical solution, and it may not work for everyone. It is also not a substitute for seeking professional help. If you are struggling with severe emotional distress or other mental health issues related to the breakup, consider an online therapist to get over your ex.  However, for some people, hypnosis can be a helpful tool for getting over a breakup and moving on with their lives.

If you are interested in using hypnosis to help you get over a breakup, it is important to find a qualified hypnotherapist who has experience working with issues related to relationships and breakups. A good hypnotherapist will be able to tailor the hypnosis session to your specific needs and goals, and will work with you to develop a plan for moving forward. If you are interested in using multiple modalities to get over a breakup fast, visit our course on how to get over your ex in 5 Hours.

References

1. Field T, Diego M, Pelaez M, Deeds O, Delgado J. Breakup distress in university students. Adolescence. 2009;44: 705–27.

2. Stoessel C, Stiller J, Bleich S, Boensch D, Doerfler A, Garcia M, et al. Differences and similarities on neuronal activities of people being happily and unhappily in love: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Neuropsychobiology. 2011;64: 52–60. 10.1159/000325076

3. Najib A, Lorberbaum JP, Kose S, Bohning DE, George MS. Regional brain activity in women grieving a romantic relationship breakup. Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161: 2245–56. 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2245

4. Monroe SM, Rohde P, Seeley JR, Lewinsohn PM. Life events and depression in adolescence: relationship loss as a prospective risk factor for first onset of major depressive disorder. Abnorm Psychol. 1999;108: 606–14

5. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome