I have personally experienced the benefits of depression in keeping depression at bay. People often ask me what type of meditaion I follow. I follow a method advocated by the Brahma Kumaris but I always say to people that they should try different approaches till they find one that works for them. The important thing is to find a way of experiencing peace and it doesn’t matter how you do it.

Not as effective when in deep depression

I found that meditation didn’t work for me when I was severely depressed but when I started to recover I found it a great way of preventing relapse. Research also shows that it is not as effective when people are really depressed.

Meditations clinically proven to reduce the chance of relapse.

In a study by John Teasdale et al in the UK he evaluated patients who had experienced 5 or more episodes of depression in their life. One half just received normal counselling whilst the other half went through a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT incorporates Buddhist style mindfulness meditation along with exercises to help them understand how thinking patterns influence their feelings. MBCT patients were found to have a relapse rate of 36% compared to the control group of 78%.

Personal Experience

I find the practice of meditation give me clarity and perspective. People often say they don’t have time to meditate but I find that I am incredibly productive after it. I think it makes you more effective by helping to ascertain what is really important.

If you have tried meditation to help treat your anxiety or depression please make a comment.

Kind Regards

Graeme

Tags: , anxiety. overcoming depression, depression, meditation