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3 years ago ::
Sep 13, 2009 - 3:54PM
#1
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I'm new to both Beliefnet and this forum, so please be patient with me! I have a diagnosis of Bipolar I; for the past year or so I've been having severe panic attacks (sometimes with an apparent trigger, sometimes without). I recently began seeing a psychologist in addition to my psychiatrist. My psychologist suggested I begin meditating, and I've noticed a huge improvement in my attacks. The book I've been using as a newbie meditator is secular and has been an excellent source. I'm thinking of trying Jewish meditation (I'm an agnostic who is part Jewish). My question is, has anyone else with a mental illness benefited from meditation, and has a secular or non-secular mode been more helpful? Thanks!
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3 years ago ::
Sep 13, 2009 - 6:14PM
#2
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Inezcat:
"medicated and normal Bipolar I woman with a highly stressful job in psychiatric research at a medical school/hospital. I'm also taking graduate-level prerequisites for my PhD."
Stress (overload) and psychiatric illness don't go well together! I suggest you `take a leaf out of your book'--and concentrate on caring for your own health instead.
"for the past year or so I've been having severe panic attacks "
That's an anxiety symptom.
"begin meditating"
Get a proper teacher, and do it right. How are your exercise and diet?
"The book I've been using as a newbie meditator"
Please throw away the book and get to a class.
"trying Jewish meditation"
I recommend hatha yoga for anyone getting into meditation.
"has anyone else with a mental illness benefited from meditation"
Rock up to a Buddhist centre. {Sigh} Here the Territory Mental Health Service runs an awareness meditation course.
"secular or non-secular mode been more helpful"
Technically, from an education point of view, where you are coming from is an important consideration. But you are obviously a starter. And there is a lot more to learn (practise) in the science (health technology) of looking after yourself!
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3 years ago ::
Sep 17, 2009 - 8:39AM
#3
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I'm new to both Beliefnet and this forum, so please be patient with me!
I have a diagnosis of Bipolar I; for the past year or so I've been having severe panic attacks (sometimes with an apparent trigger, sometimes without). I recently began seeing a psychologist in addition to my psychiatrist. My psychologist suggested I begin meditating, and I've noticed a huge improvement in my attacks.
The book I've been using as a newbie meditator is secular and has been an excellent source. I'm thinking of trying Jewish meditation (I'm an agnostic who is part Jewish).
My question is, has anyone else with a mental illness benefited from meditation, and has a secular or non-secular mode been more helpful? Thanks!
Ordinary meditation can alleviate a bit of stress. A serious, disciplined practice of it can do a lot of anxiety and panic attacks. If you get good enough, you can control your heart rate during an anxiety attack. There have been a lot of studies that show the effect on brain waves is most beneficial. However, I would say that it would be rare that it "cured" any mental illness. I consider it a very useful tool. Prayer is also helpful. That has also been studied and found to help with anxiety and depresson. Bipolar is a tough illness and dealing with it on a solely alternative medicine basis is, imo, not going to be 100% effective. As an adjunct, meditation can, I believe, be more extremely beneficial.
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3 years ago ::
Sep 17, 2009 - 11:10AM
#4
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appy20:
"meditation can alleviate a bit of stress"
Patanjali's eight step path provides methods of getting from here to there.
"practice of it can do a lot of anxiety and panic"
That's why it's in my kit!
"you can control your heart rate"
Been there, done that.
"the effect on brain waves is most beneficial"
Biofeedback works very well.
«"cured" any mental illness»
People want `pop-a-pill', no-effort instant results! Meditation is training.
"Bipolar is a tough illness and dealing with it on a solely alternative medicine basis"
Don't risk suicide!
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3 years ago ::
Sep 22, 2009 - 3:38PM
#5
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Ive been using subliminal positive affirmations for quite a while - I decided to create
an Iphone app to help me add Affirmations to my music while i listen to my Itunes
So I created
SubListen - a great way to add positive affirmations and/or healing Solfeggio Frequencies - with Binaural Theta Beats to your favorite Itunes music and audio. This Iphone APP will give you the power of subliminal affirmations and/or healing and relaxing Solfeggio Frequencies, while you listen to your favorite Itunes Music or Audio. Easily queue up music or audio from your Iphone Itunes library - choose your Subliminal(s) and/or Solfeggio Theta Binaural beats - and presto! The power of your mind will be working for you while you enjoy your favorite Music or Audio. SubListen is easy to use and - lets you create your own subliminal to direct your mind. Now you can create subliminals that are targeted for exactly what you need or desire - and enjoy your favorite music or audio while inspiring your higher mind. codedimensions.com/sublisten
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2 years ago ::
Apr 02, 2010 - 7:37AM
#6
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Winning at chess has helped my confidence. I had cycled previously, thereby developing fitness. Then I studied by book and computer. I'm doing exceptionally well in a tournament!
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