Depression and CPTSD Symptoms resolved in Twelve Sessions over Six Weeks

Before

– lacking sense of self
– low motivation
– mood imbalances / bipolar diagnosis
– feeling judged
– loner qualities
– insomnia
– intrusive, self-deprecating thoughts

Twelve Sessions, Six Weeks

After

– Energised and motivated, return of ‘social self’
– healthy, recuperative sleep
– feels ‘back in my body’
– positive outlook, “clear head”
– motivated and confident
– launch of new career, travel
– new social connections

Lorna's Full Story:

Lorna had enjoyed what from the outside appeared to have been a privileged life, having enjoyed private education, a lucrative and indeed fulfilling role in the family business, and accumulated some reserves.  She had been medicated for bipolar disorder and ADHD from the age of eight, through into her late twenties, in what she felt was a suppression of her bubbly personality that didn’t conform to parental expectations of ‘order’ or ‘normal’ behaviour.  

Lorna  had always been social and outgoing, and most enjoyed her time at boarding school which she managed to pursuade her parents to send her to for her last two years.  However, she now felt things had come to a head and that she was not living to be the person she could be.  Instead, she believed she had conformed to the wishes of her family and ignored her own needs, emotionally, socially, and fundamentally with regard to her identity.  

Mood swings, disturbed sleep, lack of focus and self-critical thoughts deprived her of joy in her life.  As opposed to deprivation of nurture, Lorna had been domineered by her parents, and not been able to develop her own sense of self-nurture.  Her identity and sense of self worth were shattered.  Based on a brain map, we started neurofeedback sessions, twice per week.  

Within five sessions, Lorna’s sleep improved noticeably, as did her energy and motivation.  She enjoyed doing long sessions, in particular the film “Now, Voyager” with Bette Davis reminded her of her upbringing and situation.  After ten sessions, Lorna began working with a talk therapist to reorganise her life and ambitions – teaching in India was a dream she thought could be realised.  Her sense of despair had disappeared, and yielded to a slightly overly self-conscious anxiety, which was the first step past numbness.  

Lorna’s productivity improved and she began to set herself higher goals, leading to some frustration, yet this substantially contrasted with her previous despondency.  A further few sessions helped with the self-blame and internal chatter.  Social anxieties disappeared, and she noticed that she had naturally struck up conversations in a coffee shop, which also hosted a weekly book club that she joined.  Lorna felt transformed, and is pursuing her new travel and career goals.