Method to fight Depression

[Sriram]

Hi everyone,

Here is a Science Daily article on how to fight depression.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122182357.htm

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A breathing-based meditation practice known as Sudarshan Kriya yoga helped alleviate severe depression in people who did not fully respond to antidepressant treatments, reports a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study bolsters the science behind the use of controlled yogic breathing to help battle depression.

The meditation technique, which is practiced in both a group setting and at home, includes a series of sequential, rhythm-specific breathing exercises that bring people into a deep, restful, and meditative state: slow and calm breaths alternated with fast and stimulating breaths.

Patients in the Sudarshan Kriya yoga group showed a significantly greater improvement in HDRS scores compared to patients in the waitlist group. With a mean baseline HDRS score of 22.0 (indicating severe depression at the beginning of the study), the group that completed the breathing technique for the full two months improved scores by 10.27 points on average, compared to the waitlist group, which showed no improvements. Patients in the yoga group also showed significant mean reductions in total scores of the self-reported Beck Depression (15.48 point improvement) and Beck Anxiety Inventories (5.19 point improvement), versus the waitlist control group.

Results of the pilot study suggest the feasibility and promise of Sudarshan Kriya as an add-on intervention for MDD patients who have not responded to antidepressants,

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For information, in case anyone is interested.

Cheers.

Sriram

[Brownie]

Thanks Sririam.

Anything that does away with the 'need' for mind altering and often dangerous antidepressants must be worth a try.

I had a look on the 'net to see what information I could find about how to do it, and found this:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265522-kriya-breathing-technique/

I'll let you know how I get on!  Never been very good at meditation but there's always a first time.

[Sriram]

Thanks Sririam.

Anything that does away with the 'need' for mind altering and often dangerous antidepressants must be worth a try.

I had a look on the 'net to see what information I could find about how to do it, and found this:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265522-kriya-breathing-technique/

I'll let you know how I get on!  Never been very good at meditation but there's always a first time.

That's great...but a few sessions of personally guided meditations is probably a must.  You shouldn't do it entirely from the link.

Just check for classes on Sudarshan Kriya near your home. 

[Brownie]

Part of the problem, Sririam, is I don't like to go out much.  In fact, I like to go out very little.

Well, that is progress!  In the past I would have said, "I can't go out".

So no going to yoga classes for me.   I have restarted Pilates, have had six sessions I think.  That is sufficient for the time being.

Honestly, the video doesn't show anything unexpected or dangerous, it is fairly basic, Sririam, otherwise I wouldn't contemplate doing it.   I'm far too much of a coward, even thinking about some things sends me into a panic or else causes anxiety and terrible fear (I'm a wuss).

Apart from that, I've never really been able to do anything like that, my mind wanders too much or I go off to sleep (sometimes very nice), so if I try this, it may have the same result.  If my mind wanders into pleasant thoughts which send me to sleep I will not complain.

Thanks for your concern.

[Sriram]

Brownie,

Ok...but breathing exercises can be tricky and any mistakes could have adverse effects. You could even start feeling giddy and get palpitations.

Maybe you  could try asking someone to visit your home a few days a week and teach you the exercises. After that you could do it on your own.

Yoga and meditations can be tricky and could lead to problems if not done correctly. More so the Pranayama (breathing exercises).

Cheers.

Sriram

[Brownie]

No way am I going to do something in front of someone else, Sririam.

Feeling giddy and having palpitations wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I've had those often enough with anxiety and panic, to me they are just part of life.

Don't worry, I'll start off gently and stop if I feel more weird than usual.