Sometimes you can keep doing everything that needs doing while feeling very little enthusiasm for any of it. You get up, go to work, answer people and carry on with the usual responsibilities. From the outside, life may look much the same. Inside, you feel flat, disconnected or simply unlike yourself.
Perhaps you know what has led to it. A loss, a difficult relationship, poor sleep or a long period of stress may have gradually taken its toll. At other times, there is no single event you can point to.
People often come to see me when they are tired of going through the motions and would like some help reconnecting with the parts of life that have become harder to feel or enjoy.
“I’m coping, but I don’t feel like myself”
Low mood can show itself in different ways.
You might notice:
- having less interest in things you usually enjoy
- feeling mentally or physically drained
- becoming more irritable or emotional
- withdrawing from other people
- struggling to make decisions
- putting things off because everything feels like an effort
- sleeping badly or wanting to sleep more
- being unusually critical of yourself
- feeling that each day has become something to get through
Sometimes people describe feeling numb rather than obviously sad. They may say that nothing is terribly wrong, but nothing feels quite right either.
You don’t need to find the perfect label before talking about it.
When low mood has followed a difficult period
There are times in life when feeling low is an understandable response to what has happened.
Bereavement, illness, relationship changes, retirement, work problems and caring responsibilities can all alter the way you feel. Even a change you chose can leave you unsettled once the initial activity has passed.
You may have spent months dealing with practical matters and only noticed the emotional effect when things became quieter.
Our conversations can include what has happened and how life has changed. You can decide how much detail feels useful to share.
When to begin with your GP
Low mood is something many people experience. And depression is a medical condition that deserves appropriate assessment and support.
If your mood has remained low for several weeks, is getting worse or is affecting your ability to cope with everyday life, please speak to your GP or contact NHS Talking Therapies.
Medical advice is also important if you have experienced a marked change in sleep or appetite, severe tiredness, feelings of hopelessness or a loss of interest in most areas of life.
I don’t diagnose or treat depression. My work focuses on relaxation, stress and general emotional wellbeing, and can sit alongside suitable medical or mainstream psychological care.
How I may be able to help
Once the wider picture has been properly considered, you may value having some calm, structured time to focus on yourself.
We can look at what your days have become like, where your energy is going and whether stress or poor sleep is making everything harder.
You may already know there are things you would like to return to, but struggle to find the motivation to begin. We can break that down into smaller and more manageable steps.
The aim is not to force you to “think positively”. If you are feeling low, being told to look on the bright side is unlikely to be particularly useful.
We will work with where you are and what feels possible from there.
What happens during hypnotherapy?
Alongside our conversations, I may use hypnosis, guided relaxation and imagery connected with the goals we have agreed.
The hypnosis may focus on settling physical and mental tension, giving your attention some time away from familiar worries or mentally rehearsing a step you would like to take.
That step might be returning to an activity, making contact with somebody, creating a more helpful daily routine or allowing yourself to look forward to something again.
You remain aware and in control throughout hypnosis. You can speak, move or stop whenever you wish.
There is no expectation that you must suddenly feel cheerful or produce a dramatic change during the appointment. People respond differently, and we review the work together.
Starting with ordinary parts of life
When you feel low, suggestions such as “get out more” or “do something you enjoy” can sound far easier than they feel.
The activity itself may not be the only difficulty. There is also the effort of deciding, arranging it and getting started.
We can look at what has gradually disappeared from your days and what you might realistically reintroduce. This could be time outdoors, seeing somebody you trust, returning to a hobby or creating a little more structure.
Small changes still count. They can provide something for the day to be built around without turning recovery into another demanding project.
Sleep, stress and low mood
Sleep, stress and mood often affect one another.
A difficult night can leave you with less patience and energy. A stressful day can follow you into bed. Feeling low can make routines harder to maintain, which can leave each day feeling less settled.
We can consider these connections as part of the wider picture.
You may also find my pages about Chronic Stress & Emotional Wellbeing and Hypnotherapy to Aid Sleep helpful.
Working alongside other support
If you are receiving care from your GP, counsellor, psychologist or another mental-health professional, please continue following their advice.
I will not suggest that you stop medication or replace treatment that has been recommended for you. If we work together, the sessions should fit appropriately alongside the care you already receive.
If another service would be a better starting point, I will tell you.
If you need urgent help
My practice is not an emergency or crisis service.
If you need urgent help for your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option. If you or somebody else is in immediate danger or unable to stay safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
You do not have to manage an immediate crisis through a routine therapy appointment.
Would you like to talk?
You don’t need to decide exactly what is wrong before contacting me.
Tell me briefly what has been happening, how long you have felt this way and any support you already receive. I’ll explain whether my approach seems suitable and answer your questions.
Appointments are available at my practice in Hayle, Cornwall, and online.
Contact me about emotional wellbeing sessions