Psychiatry-Meditation Or Medication -That Is The Question

<h1>Psychiatry-Meditation Or Medication -That Is The Question</h1>Author: <a title="Pradeep K Chadha" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/pradeep-k-chadha/2278.htm">Pradeep K Chadha</a> In some of the old texts of therapeutic hypnosis, there are contraindications mentioned to hypnosis. In layman's language it means that hypnosis was not recommended for conditions like depression, psychosis or schizophrenia. The reason given was that hypnosis makes these conditions worse. There is no literature to reveal why this happened.

Many years ago when I learnt hypnosis, I wanted to know the what, how and why of this phenomenon. It became evident with my work that meditation and hypnosis had a lot in common. The imagery exercises and the relaxed state were common to hypnosis as well as meditation. But there was no literature on meditation that recommended any contraindications.

In my clinical practice, the answers came with many years of work. A senior professor of psychiatry referred me a case of schizophrenia. On our first meeting I asked this person, a young lady, to do less than ten minutes of breathing exercise daily. Then I did not hear from her for many weeks. Many weeks later she phoned to tell me that within a week of doing the breathing exercises, she had become paranoid, despite being on medication. She had to be admitted in a hospital and her medicines were increased. I learnt my first major lesson. Meditation DOES make schizophrenia worse. 
It took me many years to learn the what, how and why it happens. It is now clear to me that when a person meditates, the body and the mind lose their tension. As the person starts to relax, the patient starts to feel and remember events and emotions that were locked up in the body. It is as if the body and the mind are releasing emotional distress. The release is also experienced physically, as in depression, for example. It is a researched fact that when a depressed person relaxes, the symptoms become worse. Clinically, if the person stays with the experience, the body gets used to it and the person feels well after sometime.

Psychiatric drugs block the emotions that a person feels. Antidepressants make a person ‘emotionally anaesthetised'. If the medication is reduced, the sense of depression usually returns in a few months. All psychiatric drugs play a similar role. By numbing the emotions, the thinking and perception of the person are affected. The ‘illness'is said to be ‘controlled' when this happens. At times drugs become mandatory especially when the deterioration of the person's mental state is irreversible. This happens when the patient loses insight.

Meditation and medication have their own place in psychiatry. Though not well explored in research, meditation can effectively prevent psychiatric conditions to a large extent.About the Author: Pradeep K Chadha is a psychiatrist who specialises in helping patients with meditation and imagery using little or no medication. He is the author of The Stress Barrier-Nature's Way To Overcoming Stress published by Blackhall Publishing, Dublin. He is based in Dublin, Ireland.His website address is :<a href="http://www.drpkchadha.com" target="_blank">www.drpkchadha.com</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/psychiatrymeditation-or-medication-that-is-the-question-29949.html" title="Psychiatry-Meditation Or Medication -That Is The Question">Psychiatry-Meditation Or Medication -That Is The Question</a>

In some of the old texts of therapeutic hypnosis, there are contraindications mentioned to hypnosis. In layman's language it means that hypnosis was not recommended for conditions like depression, psychosis or schizophrenia. The reason given was that hypnosis makes these conditions worse. There is no literature to reveal why this happened.

Many years ago when I learnt hypnosis, I wanted to know the what, how and why of this phenomenon. It became evident with my work that meditation and hypnosis had a lot in common. The imagery exercises and the relaxed state were common to hypnosis as well as meditation. But there was no literature on meditation that recommended any contraindications.

In my clinical practice, the answers came with many years of work. A senior professor of psychiatry referred me a case of schizophrenia. On our first meeting I asked this person, a young lady, to do less than ten minutes of breathing exercise daily. Then I did not hear from her for many weeks. Many weeks later she phoned to tell me that within a week of doing the breathing exercises, she had become paranoid, despite being on medication. She had to be admitted in a hospital and her medicines were increased. I learnt my first major lesson. Meditation DOES make schizophrenia worse.
It took me many years to learn the what, how and why it happens. It is now clear to me that when a person meditates, the body and the mind lose their tension. As the person starts to relax, the patient starts to feel and remember events and emotions that were locked up in the body. It is as if the body and the mind are releasing emotional distress. The release is also experienced physically, as in depression, for example. It is a researched fact that when a depressed person relaxes, the symptoms become worse. Clinically, if the person stays with the experience, the body gets used to it and the person feels well after sometime.

Psychiatric drugs block the emotions that a person feels. Antidepressants make a person ‘emotionally anaesthetised'. If the medication is reduced, the sense of depression usually returns in a few months. All psychiatric drugs play a similar role. By numbing the emotions, the thinking and perception of the person are affected. The ‘illness'is said to be ‘controlled' when this happens. At times drugs become mandatory especially when the deterioration of the person's mental state is irreversible. This happens when the patient loses insight.

Meditation and medication have their own place in psychiatry. Though not well explored in research, meditation can effectively prevent psychiatric conditions to a large extent.

Pradeep K Chadha is a psychiatrist who specialises in helping patients with meditation and imagery using little or no medication. He is the author of The Stress Barrier-Nature's Way To Overcoming Stress published by Blackhall Publishing, Dublin. He is based in Dublin, Ireland.His website address is :www.drpkchadha.com

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/psychiatrymeditation-or-medication-that-is-the-question-29949.html

Article Tags: Stress, Medication, Meditaition, Psychiatric Drugs, Hormonal System

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How to Treat Bedwetting

Play

Learn about Holistic Medicine

Play

The Breathing Disease - COPD

Play

Stress Reducing Medication

Play

Is there a Cardiac Risk in ADD Medication?

Latest Alternative Medicine Articles
More from Pradeep K Chadha

Types of Herbal Remedies That Can Be Used Safely and Effectively for Children

By: Mark Ferrer | 24/11/2009
Herbal remedies are truly effective for a wide variety of conditions. From simple coughs to skin conditions, these natural treatment methods have long proven their efficacy for several forms of illnesses and diseases. They have been used for several centuries and managed to retain their usefulness and popularity in the current modern world. These remedies are also helpful for treating kids with certain forms of illnesses. Here are some examples of effective herbal cures.

Money to Burn

By: Yulia Berry | 24/11/2009
Modern medicine, whether in the form of prescription drugs or over the counter drugs, can end up costing you a whole lot of dough, even if you happen to have health insurance (which too many people do not have). Visits to the hospital or clinic can end up hitting you hard in the pocketbook, and an extended stay could end up wiping out your entire savings. It is no wonder that many people are no looking into alternative area for their health care needs, especially in today’s trying economic times

Treatment And Cure For Herpes

By: john daniel | 24/11/2009
There are at least seven types of herpes viruses. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) causes cold sores and genital herpes. Many experts suspect HSV-1 may be involved in Bell’s palsy and some other neurological disorders. Herpes zoster is responsible for chickenpox and shingles. Find out more in treatment and cure for herpes.

Gonorrhea Symptoms And Treatment

By: john daniel | 24/11/2009
Gonorrhea symptoms and treatment, discusses some signs, diagnosis and some of the ideal treatment for gonorrhea. It combines the latest recommended conventional and alternative treatment. Find out more here in gonorrhea symptoms and treatment.

Gangrene - Oxygen Therapy

By: john daniel | 24/11/2009
Gangrene can be defined as the condition in which body tissues die, and ultimately decay, it is the result of an inadequate oxygen supply. It can affect any body part, but most frequently affects the toes, feet, fingers, hands, and arms. Gangrene of the internal organs is especially dangerous and must be treated right away. Find out more here in gangrene – oxygen therapy.

Cure Acne

By: jannet | 24/11/2009
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles; this skin disorder can occur in virtually anyone at almost any stage of his or her life, regardless of gender or skin type.

Disease And Conditions – Face Filler Overview

By: Justin Mark | 24/11/2009
Skin is outer boundary that helps in making us unique and protect our organsm from outside world.

Wrinkle Cure

By: jannet | 24/11/2009
Wrinkle is a ridge or crease of a surface. Wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them. Wrinkles are the thin, creased, and sagging skin that is especially noticeable on the face, neck, and hands.

Anger- Signs Of Its Effects In Everyday Life

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 23/05/2006 | Stress Management
Anger is a gift to us by Mother Nature. Its objective is to aggressively deal with any threat and then let it go. As society became more civilized, anger was suppressed for the sake of civility. So generations of people have been taught to refrain from letting go of anger. As a result, instead of being expressed gradually and regularly, it is held back. This affects the perception, thinking and the behaviour of the person. The author describes here signs that he has picked up in his practice that show that a person is holding unexpressed anger.

Grief- Signs of Closure

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 23/05/2006 | Wellness
Grief is a familiar human experience. From Mother Nature's perspective, grief is a gift that enables a person to conclude their association with the departed person (as in bereavement) or in break-up of relationships. Grief is more of a physiological experience than a psychological one. This article describes the signs when grief ends.

Grief- Why Do We Grieve?

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 23/05/2006 | Wellness
During the loss of a relationship or that of a near and dear one, we go through a process of grief. Experiencing emotional distress at this time is a physical event. Though there is emphasis in literature on the psychological impact of grief, there is a physiological explanation of why grief happens.

Meditation-Can Make You Emotionally Distressed

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 23/05/2006 | Meditation
Meditation is practiced and taught in various forms throughout the world. It is a relaxing activity. But when the body relaxes too much, it starts to release emotional energy that is experienced as emotional distress. In some people it can be experienced as depression and in others anxiety is experienced. In this article, the author outlines his observations.

Crying Is A Healing Activity

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 22/05/2006 | Advice
Crying is discouraged in many societies because it is associated with sadness. In order to be happy one is expected not to cry in adverse situations. Nature has given us tears with a purpose. Crying is a relaxing activity. Stressed out people cannot cry. The reason behind this observation is physiological. This article explains the healing aspect of crying

Psychiatry-Meditation Or Medication -That Is The Question

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 22/05/2006 | Alternative Medicine
In many parts of the world, psychiatry still relies on medication alone. Psychiatric illnesses occur due largely to traumatic events that are stressful. Stress creates a turmoil in the hormonal and endocrine systems in the body. Psychiatric drugs block the chemical systems causing an emotional numbness in the body. Meditation relaxes the body, allowing the emotions to be cleared. This reduces the need for psychiatric drugs.

The Unconscious- How It Operates?

By: Pradeep K Chadha | 22/05/2006 | Self Help
Sigmund Freud made the Unconscious famous. For many decades, the Unconscious was a mystery. Recent developments in neurosciences have allowed us to know that there are anatomical and physiological roots to it. Though considered ‘primitive' , its function is more than simply assuring the survival of the individual. It affects our thinking and our perception too.