Hypnotherapy for Depression

My copy of the “Handbook of Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Depression” by Assen Alladin arrived this morning  – what a remarkable book!

To get out of the way my only two criticisms:

1. the print is uncomfortably small for anyone over 40 – which probably constitutes more than 50% of the likely readership…
2. his otherwise helpful and concise review of theories of depression manages to leave out any reference to Melanie Klein, whose concepts of the depressive position, guilt and reparation are of far greater value than any of the other psychoanalytic formulations that he included. I presume this is because Mr (Dr?) Alladin is in Canada and unaware of object relations theory.

However, apart from this, the book presents a coherent, practical and information packed outline of his methods of using cognitive hypnotherapy for treating depression.  In the wake of last month’s revelations about Prozac being no better than placebo new forms of treatment need to be found and hypnotherapy seems a promising option.

More on this topic later… Meanwhile a book I strongly recommend.