Case Study: Depression and Insomnia Following Trauma

When someone arrives barely able to speak

This patient, a woman in her 30s, was brought to the clinic by her husband. She was married, had a young son, and was visibly depressed.

During the first appointment, she barely spoke. She avoided eye contact and appeared emotionally shut down. It was clear she was exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Her symptoms had been building for years, following a traumatic birth and later compounded by distressing experiences with healthcare providers when she suspected her son might have additional needs.

Background: how things reached breaking point

She described a long and difficult journey with her mental health.

From her intake:

Ongoing depression, treated with sertraline, without improvement
Severe sleep difficulties; previous use of Xanax had not helped
Periods of intense distress earlier in the year, including shaking and inability to eat
Feeling unsupported by medical professionals and unable to access specialist care
Headaches, dizziness, rib pain, and physical tension
Swollen, uncomfortable tongue and frequent fatigue

She felt her depression had begun after her traumatic labour. A few years later, when her son stopped speaking after early development, her mental health deteriorated again—particularly as she felt dismissed and unsupported by doctors. Her son was awaiting assessment at the time.

By the time she came to the clinic, she felt stuck, frightened, and unheard.

Treatment approach: gentle and consistent acupuncture

Given the severity of her symptoms, we began carefully.

We started with acupuncture only, twice a week, with no herbs initially. The priority was to provide:

Nervous system regulation
Emotional support and safety
A consistent space where she felt listened to and held

In the early sessions, there was no obvious change. Despite this, she continued to attend regularly.

Early signs of change

Around session four, her situation was still very challenging. She had visited A&E due to fear and distress about not receiving adequate mental health support.

However, shortly after, something began to shift.

She reported:

Feeling more like herself on some mornings
Talking more
A sense of coming to terms with her son potentially having autism
Moments of emotional relief, even though headaches and exhaustion were still present

These changes were subtle but meaningful.

Turning point

In the sessions that followed, improvement became clearer.

She began to experience:

Days where she woke up feeling normal
Less constant sadness
Greater emotional steadiness

With medical supervision, she also chose to begin reducing her medication, which temporarily disrupted her sleep. At this point, we added herbal medicine, taken twice daily, to support sleep and emotional balance.

Stabilisation and progress

By session seven:

Sleep had improved
Headaches were less frequent
Her medication regimen had been adjusted, with better results
She felt calmer and more stable

After nine acupuncture sessions, we paused acupuncture and continued with herbal support alone.

One week later, she reported:

Improved sleep
Feeling emotionally well and active

Longer-term outcome

We checked in again three and a half months after starting treatment.

At that point, she shared that she was:

Doing really well and feeling like herself again
Sleeping 6–8 hours per night
Waking feeling rested
Free from headaches
Actively looking for work
Feeling positive about her son’s progress

She was very happy with the outcome, and we agreed to leave treatment there, with the option to return if she ever needed support again.

A note on depression, trauma and insomnia

Depression and insomnia following trauma—particularly around childbirth and early parenting—can be deeply complex. Change is often gradual and requires consistency, patience, and the right kind of support.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can offer gentle, stabilising support alongside conventional care, helping regulate the nervous system and create the conditions for recovery.

If you’re struggling with depression, emotional exhaustion, or sleep problems—especially after a difficult or traumatic period—you don’t have to navigate it alone.

You’re welcome to book an appointment or get in touch to explore whether acupuncture and herbal medicine could support you.