Vipassana and mental health?
- telecaster
- Topic Author
16 years 1 month ago #53842
by telecaster
Vipassana and mental health? was created by telecaster
From Han2sen:
"Vipassana is very good with treating depression and bipolar stuff, so that is the closest parallel to the more problematic side of K-awakening so I guess that makes sense(?)"
This is the first I've heard of this. I have heard stories of people who get stream entry becoming much healthier physically, with certain ailments going away entirely, but I've never been sure how much of that is just myth.
However -- and this is big -- I started serious vipassana last June and have now stopped taking my antidepressent Wellbutrin. Completely. I've been on this medication since 2006 and, at one time, it brought great healing to my life. But, in the last year or more it's just been feeling like the drug was overamping my brain system -- just giving me too much energy in ways I didn't need it anymore, and, most annoyingly -- causing very uncomfortable feelings of anxiety quite often. I was afraid to stop taking it because I'd done that before once and became more depressed and my shrink at that time warned me it would happen again. So, my stopping the drug was against medical advice and I don't recomend that anyone else do it.
But, now that it is really out of my system, I can confidently say that I feel just fine most of the time and way better than fine a lot of the time. And, there is no more anxiety. I guess I can't be sure this is because of my practice, but I think it is. And, I have none of my usual depression symptoms, quite the opposite in fact.
I can always start taking it again but for now I think I am done.
"Vipassana is very good with treating depression and bipolar stuff, so that is the closest parallel to the more problematic side of K-awakening so I guess that makes sense(?)"
This is the first I've heard of this. I have heard stories of people who get stream entry becoming much healthier physically, with certain ailments going away entirely, but I've never been sure how much of that is just myth.
However -- and this is big -- I started serious vipassana last June and have now stopped taking my antidepressent Wellbutrin. Completely. I've been on this medication since 2006 and, at one time, it brought great healing to my life. But, in the last year or more it's just been feeling like the drug was overamping my brain system -- just giving me too much energy in ways I didn't need it anymore, and, most annoyingly -- causing very uncomfortable feelings of anxiety quite often. I was afraid to stop taking it because I'd done that before once and became more depressed and my shrink at that time warned me it would happen again. So, my stopping the drug was against medical advice and I don't recomend that anyone else do it.
But, now that it is really out of my system, I can confidently say that I feel just fine most of the time and way better than fine a lot of the time. And, there is no more anxiety. I guess I can't be sure this is because of my practice, but I think it is. And, I have none of my usual depression symptoms, quite the opposite in fact.
I can always start taking it again but for now I think I am done.
- keeiton
- Topic Author
16 years 1 month ago #53843
by keeiton
Hi Telecaster,
I'm really happy to hear that. I know that depression is one of the most painful ailments one can suffer.
Just to confirm what you said about the physical side, my back and neck pain are much less bothering now. And I think I self treated my seasonal allergies using vipassana.
Amr
Replied by keeiton on topic RE: Vipassana and mental health?
Hi Telecaster,
I'm really happy to hear that. I know that depression is one of the most painful ailments one can suffer.
Just to confirm what you said about the physical side, my back and neck pain are much less bothering now. And I think I self treated my seasonal allergies using vipassana.
Amr
- telecaster
- Topic Author
16 years 1 month ago #53844
by telecaster
Replied by telecaster on topic RE: Vipassana and mental health?
"
Hi Telecaster,
I'm really happy to hear that. I know that depression is one of the most painful ailments one can suffer.
Just to confirm what you said about the physical side, my back and neck pain are much less bothering now. And I think I self treated my seasonal allergies using vipassana.
Amr
"
Huh. I have a really bad case of arthritis in my lower back. I can be fine, but if I strain it, I'll get a flare-up that keeps me off work for days at a time. It is really a hassle and makes me unable to do certain activiities for fear I will cause a flare-up.
I would be great to heal this -- I don't get my hopes up, but you never know I guess.
Hi Telecaster,
I'm really happy to hear that. I know that depression is one of the most painful ailments one can suffer.
Just to confirm what you said about the physical side, my back and neck pain are much less bothering now. And I think I self treated my seasonal allergies using vipassana.
Amr
"
Huh. I have a really bad case of arthritis in my lower back. I can be fine, but if I strain it, I'll get a flare-up that keeps me off work for days at a time. It is really a hassle and makes me unable to do certain activiities for fear I will cause a flare-up.
I would be great to heal this -- I don't get my hopes up, but you never know I guess.