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Learning Lessons from the Past

Marcus Matthews • 12 August 2024

Now it all makes sense

The decisions you make today impact tomorrow

The Power of Now: How the Present Shapes the Future and Why Understanding the Past Can Transform Today

As I sat down for a Sunday meal with my family, surrounded by the familiar warmth of loved ones, I had no idea that a simple conversation would unlock a profound insight into my own wellbeing journey. The discussion veered into our family history, where I discovered that my Great Grandmother had suffered from severe mental health issues and was subjected to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). This revelation sparked a cascade of thoughts, leading me to reflect on how the past, even events from generations ago, shapes our present reality and how understanding this connection can empower us to change our future and how we can either change the course of history for good or we can continue that trauma for generations to come.

Our lives are intricately woven with threads from the past, some of which may have been spun long before we were even born. The experiences, traumas, and coping mechanisms of our ancestors can subtly influence our beliefs, behaviours, and emotional responses. Often, we find ourselves stuck in patterns of thinking and acting that seem impossible to change.

Much of this resistance to change stems from the fact that our minds are designed to seek comfort in the familiar. When we attempt to alter our habits or challenge long-held beliefs, our subconscious mind, which is heavily influenced by our past experiences, pushes back. This is a protective mechanism, intended to keep us safe from perceived threats, even if those threats are outdated or no longer relevant.

From my own experience and that of my clients, I've seen how powerful these inherited patterns can be. For many, understanding that these feelings and behaviours may have deep roots—sometimes extending to previous generations—can be a revelation. It's as though we're carrying the emotional legacy of our ancestors without even realising it.

Is it worth considering we are living history and we may look back and realise the mainstream ideas may not be as effective as we believe.

The NHS Talking Therapies programme, which includes counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and psychotherapy, has been shown to be effective for many individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. According to the latest data, around 50% of people who completed their course of treatment through these services moved to recovery, meaning they were no longer considered to have clinical anxiety or depression by the end of their therapy.

Note moved to recovery not resolved.

CBT, which is one of the most commonly used therapies within the NHS, accounts for over 40% of all therapy courses and has a recovery rate of approximately 44.5%. While CBT focuses on addressing current issues by changing negative thought patterns and behaviours, it often does not delve into the deeper, underlying causes of these mental health issues, which may be rooted in past experiences.

For those looking for a more profound and lasting change, hypnotherapy offers an alternative by accessing the subconscious mind to uncover and address these deep-rooted emotional drives. This approach can help individuals not only manage their symptoms but also resolve the underlying issues that contribute to their mental health struggles.

Electroconvulsive Therapy, once a common treatment for severe mental health conditions, has seen a significant decline in use. This decline is largely due to advances in understanding the brain, the development of more effective and less invasive treatments, and the recognition of the potential negative side effects of ECT, such as memory loss and cognitive impairment.

The landscape of mental health treatment has shifted towards a more holistic approach, one that takes into account the psychological, emotional, and social factors that contribute to mental wellbeing.

This is a positive change, but it also highlights the importance of understanding the root causes of our mental health challenges. Simply treating the symptoms, as ECT often did, is no longer sufficient. Instead, there is a growing recognition of the need to address the underlying issues, many of which may be rooted in our past.

You see we don't go from perfectly OK to suffering with our mental health it's a slow decline, and yes there is a spectrum, but in general in todays world ECT has been replaced with drugs and coping mechnisms, so has the world really changed?

While modern methods of talking therapy often focus on managing symptoms and exploring surface-level thoughts and feelings, they sometimes fall short of addressing the deep-rooted emotional drives that influence our behaviours. These therapies can provide valuable insights and coping strategies, but they may not always reach the underlying causes of emotional distress, which are often buried in the subconscious mind.

The Two Minds

Simply put we have two minds, the logical mind and the emotional mind. The logical mind drives about 5% of behaviour where as the emotional mind drives 95%.

We don't think anxious - We Feel it

We don't think happy or fulfilled - We feel it

When we release the emotion connected to the story, the story no longer has power, this change is called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections, occurs through both talking therapies and hypnosis, but the mechanisms and depth of change can differ significantly between the two.

Talking Therapy and Neuroplasticity:

In traditional talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), neuroplasticity is encouraged by repeatedly challenging and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. This cognitive restructuring helps to weaken maladaptive neural pathways and strengthen more positive, adaptive ones over time. The process relies on conscious effort and repetition, gradually altering brain activity and leading to changes in behaviour and emotional responses.

Hypnosis and Neuroplasticity:

Hypnosis, on the other hand, facilitates neuroplasticity by directly engaging the subconscious mind, where many of our automatic thoughts, habits, and emotional responses are stored. Under hypnosis, the brain enters a deeply relaxed, highly focused state, often accompanied by changes in brainwave activity. This state of heightened suggestibility allows for quicker access to subconscious processes, making it easier to bypass the critical, analytical mind that can resist change during traditional therapy.

During hypnosis, new, positive suggestions can be planted more effectively, allowing for the rapid formation of new neural connections. This can lead to faster and more profound changes in behaviour, as the brain is more pliable and open to restructuring. For instance, visualisation techniques used in hypnosis can create vivid mental images that the brain interprets as real experiences, further reinforcing new neural pathways associated with desired behaviours or emotional states.

In summary, while talking therapies rely on conscious cognitive efforts to encourage neuroplasticity over time, hypnosis accelerates this process by accessing and reshaping the subconscious mind directly, leading to potentially quicker and deeper rewiring of the brain.

Knowledge is power - Choice is change

In my journey of self-discovery, I've come to realise that understanding the past is not about dwelling on it, but rather about using it as a tool for change. When we recognise the origins of our beliefs and behaviours, we gain the power to rewrite the narrative. We can transform adversity into opportunity by reframing our experiences, shifting our perspective, and creating new, healthier patterns of thinking.

This approach is not about blaming our ancestors or feeling burdened by their experiences. Instead, it's about acknowledging the impact of the past on our present and using that knowledge to shape a better future.

By understanding how our minds work and the role of the past in shaping our present reality, we can make conscious choices to break free from negative patterns and create a life that aligns with our true desires and values.

Change starts with you

If you're seeking a deeper, more transformative approach to overcoming your challenges, consider choosing hypnotherapy over traditional talking therapy. While talking therapies like CBT are effective for many, hypnotherapy goes further by engaging the subconscious mind, allowing you to address the root causes of your struggles rather than just the symptoms.

Studies have shown that hypnotherapy can lead to faster, more lasting change, particularly when used in combination with other therapies.

Why choose hypnotherapy?

By choosing hypnotherapy, you open the door to a powerful tool that can help you achieve profound personal growth and lasting emotional resilience. Take the step towards true transformation today—your future self will thank you.