Personality Disorders

[ULTRALYONS]

Its me again. I have contacted the number for a hypnotherapy referral and might see him next week. I do not know what I am expecting, but I am actually worried. He has 2.5 years of experience. If I pay $750 it better do something. Should I look for someone with more experience? You only recommended three in my area. What happens if it works?

I have suffered from Graves and depression for quite some time now. The depression comes in bouts. I am in the chicken and the egg syndrome right now. I am postive that I have a personality disorder (dependant). I had a very controlling family a perfectionist and smothering father, I am a fraternal twin, and I was picked on, so I have low self esteem. So did I have the disorder when I was born or is it learned. I am 26, I do not want to take another 26 unlearning it.

I have no idea what is causing what! Where would you even start? Here is my question. Is this even fixable? Sure I must live? People say love yourself, but I am at the point I feel I don't know myself, so what is to love? I am married and feel like I should not be now, but can't imagine doing anything differently. Looking back I just though everything would work out, what a delusion. I really have trouble living in the now. Snowballs chance in hell that I am having kids.

I can't even figure out what I want to do because I don't enjoy doing anything by myself, i.e. the dependancy issues.

I feel trapped because I don't want to hurt my wife, can't handle living alone at this point, she is (at least I think) the only thing I got going for me and I am not made out of money to tackle the future. I really don't have doubts about my ability to do anything. It is just I can't make a decision that big, just can't. Neither can my wife, go figure.

I just feel like I need a purpose. Any ideas? I am at a total and utter loss.
ARRRRGGGG!

Thanks

[Don]

I have no idea who you contacted, and I wish you all the best.

If you look back over your post, you will see that you have all sorts of things going on. I realize this can be confusing and frustrating and, in fact, cause a lot of personal anguish.

I don't know if the hypnotherapist you are going to is trained in helping the problems you are facing. If he is, you should experience an incredibly positive change in your life very quickly. To some people it may seem like magic! But it's not. It's simply helping you to find ways to work with your mind more effectively.

I have a feeling that you are going to be surprised at how fast things can improve for you. Please give it a chance to work and let us know what happens.

[Simple Guy]

I also have no idea who you contacted. You didn't indicate whether the $750
is for a single session. If it is, it is very high and that kind of a fee (or more)
is usually obtained by only a few world class, established therapists. (You do say
that this person has 2.5 years experience.) How many sessions will he/she
provide for this fee?

[ULTRALYONS]

I contacted the number I got when I asked for a referral from this board. The $750 would be for 10 sessions.

I have read that hypnosis should not be used for personality disorders. Is this true? I have a couple personality disorders that are pretty seriously limiting me at this point.

I am to the point where I think life is not going to be worth living if I change myself and it will just be coping if I don't and eventually I will just fall apart. I am very close at this point.

[Don]

Hi, Ultralyons.

That's great news!

Now, don't attack me for saying that your problems and your feelings of desperation are great. In fact, I fully understand how horrible they are and how every aspect of your life is negatively impacted by your feelings. What is great is that real change comes when things are bad and we have no choice but to change.

Do you realize that this means you are on the verge of improvement? Can you see that this means things are ready to turn around for you? I'm excited about the potentials and possibilities that lay ahead for you!

The term "personality disorders" is a psychiatric term, and I'm neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist. So I went to a website, http://mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=8 , where they had information on the subject.

It says, "Those with a personality disorder possess several distinct psychological features including disturbances in self-image; ability to have successful interpersonal relationships; appropriateness of range of emotion, ways of perceiving themselves, others, and the world; and difficulty possessing proper impulse control." So if you're having problems with self-image, relationships, range of emotions, self-perception and/or how you perceive others and the world, and/or impulse control, I can tell you that hypnotherapy can definitely be of help.

If you have been diagnosed with a "personality disorder," the implication is that you are going to a psychologist or psychiatrist. If so, you should get a written referral from him or her which you can give to the hypnotherapist.

[ULTRALYONS]

Sounds like a resonable thing. I will look into that right away.

Thanks

[EC]

Hi Ultralyons,

I believe you can benefit from further information here and I will be happy to share further with you, but I would like to know whether you have been actually diagnosed with graves, personality disorder or depression by a mental health provider, and if you are under care by one at this time, or have been in the past?

In the meantime, I will suggest that you seek out a "well experienced" hypnotherapist that has considerable experience in working with depression. You need to ask and feel confident of the experience level of the therapist before you proceed with therapy.

As far as your question as to whether hypnosis should be used with personality disorder or not,,,,the answer is yes it's perfectly fine, unless other issues involved contraindicate it.

And no, you were not born with the disorders!

EC

[Simple Guy]

Ultralyons,

You've gotten good feedback in this thread. I've nothing to add, except for
sending my best wishes to you.

[ULTRALYONS]

Yes I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease and Depression :( . I have not been officially diagnosed with a personality disorder, but I unfortunately know I have a dependant personality, whether you want to call it a disorder or not, it is impinging on my life now. I am seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist, and an endrocrinologist currently.

I realized I was not born with these disorders, but they have shaped my life and some parts I will feel even worse about if I improve myself and do not want certain things anymore, i.e. my marriage. I currently have an ISFJ personality, that is what "describes me". I feel that I am fighting every aspect of this personality though. I want more and feel that this personality limits me, if you read ISFJ, really who wants to be like this? That is why I feel I don't know myself, and I do not like myself has a result. I would love it if hypnosis could someone change my personality. But that is a dangerous question.

Any more info or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Ultralyons,

I believe you can benefit from further information here and I will be happy to share further with you, but I would like to know whether you have been actually diagnosed with graves, personality disorder or depression by a mental health provider, and if you are under care by one at this time, or have been in the past?

In the meantime, I will suggest that you seek out a "well experienced" hypnotherapist that has considerable experience in working with depression. You need to ask and feel confident of the experience level of the therapist before you proceed with therapy.

As far as your question as to whether hypnosis should be used with personality disorder or not,,,,the answer is yes it's perfectly fine, unless other issues involved contraindicate it.

And no, you were not born with the disorders!

EC

[EC]

Hi again Ultralyons,

I believe that a forum such as this is intended to offer "general advice and direction" as to the uses and benefits of hypnosis. While we can at times offer specific direction, more often than not we must generalize since we cannot truly know the situation of any particular person.

It would therefore be unwise for any of use here to offer specifics since you are under the care of professionals, and, it would be in your best interest to pursue answers there. I would highly suggest that you discuss your interest in pursuing hypnosis, with your Psychologist and have him/her work with you and the hypnotist to insure that you receive the best of assistance.

I will offer this;

While I can certainly understand your frustration with the way you must feel, It may help if you realize that rather than suffering from a multitude of problems, ie: Depression, Graves, ISFJ, etc, you may truly have just one of these that leads to, brings on, the symptoms and feelings of the others. Looking at the situation in that light gives hope and assurance that if one issue can be properly addressed, the others will also subside.

I believe you came here to determine whether hypnosis might help you. Let summarize by repeating, hypnosis can be an absolute invaluable aid in finding that base issue and starting the healing process. Please do discuss this with your Psychologist and "carefully" select a hypnotherapist well experienced in working with depression.

EC

[Annie]

Hi Ultralyons,

I agree with everything EC has just shared with you, especially the last part : hypnosis can be an absolute invaluable aid in finding that *base* issue and starting the healing process. Please do discuss this with your Psychologist and "carefully" select a hypnotist well experienced in working with depression.

The stars around the word *base* is my addition, as I have found in having helped many people that once their underlying challenge, or " root cause ", is addressed & dealt with respectfully and lovingly, that the person can be guided into healing themselves, and then - building their life as they want, choose and can enjoy !

I wish for you such a successful journey, Ultralyons ...


Annie