Do you think that meditation can cure mental health issues?

Hi everyone,

This is a pretty strong debate, basically, I suffer from mental health issues E.G. depression, anxiety, irrational thoughts and I was just wondering if meditation would be able to help that?

I've been meditating on and off for the last few months and have seen some positive side effects, but what I really want to know is if there's anyone here that's actually been "cured" so to speak of these issues?

Thank you in advance.

Many spiritual teachers and even psychologists will acknowledge that our normal life, even without having any issues as you describe, is a state of insanity.

The usual prescription is some form of meditation. This does not necessarily mean that it will help a mentally ill person as defined by less mentally ill persons to return to a less mentally ill position. It may in fact make it worse as it opens the person to further unknown and uncontrollable influences.

If it helps you engage more effectively with the world around you then continue with meditation.

Most of us have these issues periodically, so speaking of a "cure", may be over reaching.

However meditation practices can certainly give us more tools to manage our emotional-mental state.
And enable us to be better equipped to deal with life's stress-challenges.

For some ,just having a peaceful refuge within, helps a lot.

I don't know about the word "cure" but there is a boatload of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of meditation to treat mental illnesses, including depression. With a preliminary search, here is some of what I dug up:

• Mindfulness Meditation Summary (.doc file hosted by Stanford University)
• Yoga and Meditation for Stress and Anxiety (article by Harvard University)
• Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Study (.pdf hosted by Kent State University)
• A doctoral dissertation on meditation and depression (University of Arizona)

It's not hard to find dozens more beyond these. The scientific jury is in: meditation is definitely good for mental health.

Originally Posted by Beckybooboo

Hi everyone,

This is a pretty strong debate, basically, I suffer from mental health issues E.G. depression, anxiety, irrational thoughts and I was just wondering if meditation would be able to help that?

I've been meditating on and off for the last few months and have seen some positive side effects, but what I really want to know is if there's anyone here that's actually been "cured" so to speak of these issues?

Thank you in advance.

YES.

truth cures. confusion causes illness.
ever been in a relationship whnere u dont know if the other person loves u or hates you???

then a friend comes up to you and tell you, your partner says he loves you.

how do you feel?

confusion gone, truth and peace arrive.

all illness can be cured by correct understandings of the univers you live in.

if you believ in god, pray hold fast to him. if not consider him.

[vicky3619]

Originally Posted by Beckybooboo

Hi everyone,

This is a pretty strong debate, basically, I suffer from mental health issues E.G. depression, anxiety, irrational thoughts and I was just wondering if meditation would be able to help that?

I've been meditating on and off for the last few months and have seen some positive side effects, but what I really want to know is if there's anyone here that's actually been "cured" so to speak of these issues?

Thank you in advance.

Anxiety,irrational thoughts ...are you talking of me ? ahah
Just to let you know youre not alone in this case,if you want to talk or something just PM :)

Thanks all for your answer it will also help me :)

Same story here...

I suffer from depression since my childhood... I dont know if I ever had a healthy state of mind? :)

@ Rin: You say: ""The usual prescription is some form of meditation. This does not necessarily mean that it will help a mentally ill person as defined by less mentally ill persons to return to a less mentally ill position. It may in fact make it worse as it opens the person to further unknown and uncontrollable influences.""

Yes even I heard of this, that some meditation techniques can worsen depression... but I guess it also depends on what type of meditation one is willing to do

I have recognised, that there is a lot of unsolved conflicts in my subconscious mind.. this is creating a lot of fear, irrational thoughts, depression and so on and on... so unless this is being solved I dont think meditation will help either..

but I hope that there is some kind of technique for people with traumatic experiences in the childhood.

Thank you

Originally Posted by Rin

It may in fact make it worse as it opens the person to further unknown and uncontrollable influences.

That's why we have SHIELDING! :)


Anyways, meditation can be good for mental illnesses depending on the situation, person, type of meditation used, etc. Anxiety and stress? Definitely yes. Schizophrenia, IDD? Maybe not, although it would most likely help "calm down" more extreme types of mental diseases, while not necessarily curing them.

:) Good luck on your journey!

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Beckybooboo

Hi everyone,

This is a pretty strong debate, basically, I suffer from mental health issues E.G. depression, anxiety, irrational thoughts and I was just wondering if meditation would be able to help that?

I've been meditating on and off for the last few months and have seen some positive side effects, but what I really want to know is if there's anyone here that's actually been "cured" so to speak of these issues?

Thank you in advance.

I'm quite sure that therapy for emotional/mental problems would include a meditative practice but also entail other exersizes... including physical exersize. It's something which is very delicate and precautions need to be there. I think professional advise is best.

Mediatate will definetly help you as it is a another form of spirituality,which gives you ultimate peace.