Depression is a condition that can arise from a variety of causative factors and have a variety of symptoms. Irrespective of the cause, Yoga can play a role either as a supportive treatment or even as the mainline treatment esp. when the client is ready and capable of seeing reason and importantly, take responsibility to overcome the situation. Though, it is strongly suggested that these cases be handled under the guidance of a medical practitioner or a trained counsellor.
Barring situations where the depression has arisen from certain non-modifiable factors such as hereditary or biological, we need to understand depression not as an end diagnosis but as a sequentially progressing condition; a state of despair or hopelessness arising from:
- Encountering repeated failures in areas of life seen as important by the individual (personal expectations) or
- Anxiety arising out of the inability to meet the expectations/ demands put up by people around the individual esp. when coupled with punishment of some sort (disciplinarian parents, over-demanding spouse/ in-laws/ boss).
- Situations that make the overall experience of life a painful proposition (chronic or incurable illnesses, physical / sexual abuse, fights or quarrels between family members, repeated instances of injustice or insults, etc.)
Common symptoms of Depression:
- Loss of interest in activities initially seen as pleasurable,
- Fatigue, muscle pain, lack of energy,
- Excessive sleeping or insomnia,
- Lack of appetite or over-eating
Handling Depression:
1) Empty mind devils workshop – a depressive patient would usually be seen sitting by oneself immersed in thoughts, esp. brooding over past painful incidences. This habit in itself contributes majorly in reducing the interest and involvement of the individual in life, further making him/her aloof. The connection with real life thus starts distancing, thus increasing the feeling of depression. This can be and importantly has to be reduced by:
- Keeping the individual engaged in simple activities. Very often we find Dr. Jayadev suggesting someone to silently keep on collecting the dry leaves fallen on the ground inside the Institute campus. Though seemingly a simple activity externally, it has the capacity to get the individual disconnected from disturbing thoughts and thus creating the possibility of something positive. However it is also important to see that the client is not left alone for longer duration of time.
- Actively engaging the individual in meaningful activities: Getting disconnected from negativity is the first step, but simultaneously creating positivity is as much an important step. This can be achieved by keeping the person involved in activities that can be seen as creative or enjoyable. It is a very individual concept and varies from person to person. It may be about cooking food or some recreational activity (painting, music, singing, dancing, group games, etc.) or maybe a small time vocation that we enjoy. It would help if the yoga counsellor talks to the client to come to a decision regarding the activity in which the client could be kept involved.
2) We are, the company that we keep: it is a known fact that the people around us contribute a lot in determining the mood that we develop. Hence, it becomes very important that we put a lot of effort in choosing the company for the depressed person. While choosing an activity that is enjoyable, care should also be taken with regards to the other people that would be involved in that activity along with the client (SATSANG).
The family has a very important role in providing this supportive structure to the client. The counsellor needs to talk to the family members and explain the need for them to be more cheerful, compassionate and patient and thus be involved in the therapy.
Very often, unfortunately, we find the family members themselves contributing towards the depression of the client by being more anxious, depressed, abusive, strict or even aloof. It is very important that the counsellor identifies these factors and addresses them by having a talk with the concerned family member. In one particular case, a couple, because of the frequent ugly fights within themselves were responsible for their daughter to be depressed. The daughter was ready to take responsibility and work on her depression but thought it too risky to speak to her own father and have him involved in the process. Fortunately (?), the daughter, being a student, could also avail hostel facility. Proper counselling coupled with the distancing from her parents, allowed her the opportunity to heal herself and overcome her depression.
3) Faith: Depression, when viewed as a state of despair or hopelessness, is simply an absence of faith, either in the self or in the higher reality.
- Faith in self: Repeated failures, on one hand bring pain but simultaneously and unfortunately, also make the individual believe that s/he is incapable of overcoming that particular situation. Depression thus is the state of hopelessness when the individual is caught in the trap between the pain of failures on one side and the feeling of incapacity to overcome the situation on the other side.
- Faith in Higher Reality: Is failure an absolute reality or an individual perception? If I do not get a job, is it to be seen as a failure or an opportunity for something more rewarding? Is it my destiny if I am subjected to repeated injustice, or is it a message for me that it is high time that I speak for my rights?
The perception and pain of failure speaks of our impatience and also the lack of faith to see beyond the immediate.
Thus, helping the individual to develop faith in one-self as also in the higher reality is one of the most important steps in overcoming depression.
Handling depression through Yoga practices:
- While suggesting Yoga practices, it is important to avoid passive practices such as meditation and relaxation. It is very much possible here that the client could again drift into the negative thoughts. Hence, the client should rather be given dynamic/active asanas that can thus hold the constant attention of the client. Meditation is suggested for developing Patience rather than focus and can be achieved through ‘difficult’ positions like Sthithprathanasana or Ekpadasana which won’t allow the client to get drifted in thoughts.
- Backward bending asanas for developing ‘Aishwarya’ in terms of Self-confidence, Patience and Self-reliance
- Forward bending asanas for developing ‘Ishwarpranidhana’ in terms of faith towards the higher reality, contributing further towards Patience, Perseverance and Resilience.