About the Depression is Contagious Talk

These notes have been compiled after attending the 100 Hr Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy Training Course conducted by Dr Michael Yapko, and attending his public lecture on Depression is Contagious, held June 2011 in Brisbane.

Firstly, Michael emphasizes the need to understand his concern for the rates of depression, world-wide.  He cites the World Health Organisation claim that currently, depression is the fourth greatest cause of human suffering and disability around the world, and that by the year 2020, it is predicted to be the second gretest cause of human suffering and disability.

Michael believes passionately in helping people to reduce that suffering, and that pills are not the only answer.  He has become a world-wide educator on hypnosis and psychotherapy for treating depression and anxiety with numerous books and many journal articles to his name.

More importantly, he gets results with his clients.  This was obvious through observing videos of his work, and observing live in the training course, his techniques.

Michael is also a proponent of teaching people how to think, to make better decisions and thereby helping yourself to reduce anxiety and depression because you have thought things through to their natural consequence or conclusions.

Some facts:

1. Depression is caused by many factors.
   1. Biological, psychological, social factors come into play
2. There is no depression gene.  You may have a vulnerabilty towards depression, but there is no depression gene.
3. The placebo affect may be contributing to the effect of medication.  For example, believing that medication will have an effect on depression, affects you, as much or more than the medication is likely to do so.
4. Depression is contagious because of the lack of social skills in our society – no amount of medication can teach you how to have social skills. It won’t develop friendships or help isolated people to engage in the community more.
5. “Depressed people and those most at risk for depression, tend to view other people negatively.” Pxx, Dr Michael Yapko, “Depression is Contagious” 2009

In another blog, I shall post some ideas for helping with depression, from Michael’s book.

Also, you can complete the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Survey online, by clicking on the tab.