Treating Depression by Meditation
The high prevalence of mental disorders among all generations is a worrying phenomenon in contemporary societies. The diversity of such conditions raises unending challenges for healthcare professionals who must propose the most useful intervention to address identified complications. The main problem with mental illnesses is the similarity of symptoms between different conditions, a factor that enhances the probability of misdiagnosis and ineffective care. Depression, which affects people of all ages, is a notable burden in this class of illnesses. The recent identification of mindful meditation as a viable solution to depression is a crucial breakthrough, given its strengths over traditional approaches. The shift in focus from an externally induced intervention to action from the affected individual can overcome the obstacles caused by withdrawal. However, there is no evidence of its use at Miami University.
Major depression is one of the world’s leading disabling mental conditions. In the U.S., the world health organization ranks the illness as the second most disabling, with 7% of adults expected to experience an episode each year (Prathikanti et al., 2017). While the disease might manifest mildly, presenting such signs as a lack of interest in typically enjoyable activities, extreme cases can generate several negative feelings that might prompt suicidal tendencies (Kocovski & Mackenzie, 2016). The prevalence of depression among young people and, particularly, university students is concerning. Carpena, Tavares, and Menezes (2019) confirm that 35.3% of learners verified experiencing depressive instances every year. Such findings emphasize the need for alternative interventions.
Meditation, which is a form of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, entails examining one’s present feelings to enhance self-awareness and acceptance. Several researchers have proposed and researched the effectiveness of meditative strategies in addressing depression. The reasoning behind such practices as yoga is that people can develop positive attitudes and manage stressing elements responsibly if they acknowledge the presence of burdens and establish personal responsibility. Additionally, negative attitudes towards conventional treatment methods as the use of antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy and their low success levels should encourage the use of individual or group meditation in addressing depression. The benefits of meditation include personal investment since victims have full control over their emotions. In this perspective, the possibility of engaging in an honest attempt to explore one’s inner feelings is high compared to traditional therapeutic sessions that encourage sharing with a professional. Moreover, self-made resolutions can be long-lasting, thus, limiting cases of relapse.
Several scientific studies support the effectiveness of meditation in combatting depression. Kocovski and Mackenzie (2016), in their review of present trends, found out that meditation is an effective therapeutic measure of decreasing the chances of relapse for patients suffering from depression. Their findings support the usefulness of mindfulness-based therapy as a primary strategy as well as a support intervention for other methods. Prathikanti et al. (2017) encourage the use of yoga to treat depression. A clinical trial by the scholars recorded significantly positive results for patients in an eight-week yoga session compared to control treatments. Similarly, Carpena et al. (2019) assert that continued meditation effectively reduces depression symptoms. Such scholarly findings are evidence of the potential of reflective measures in treating depression.
Despite the reported success of meditative strategies for depression patients, there is no record of an official effort to apply them to the University of Miami. The institution faces a substantial risk of uncontrolled depression cases, given the prevalence of the condition among students. Nevertheless, lay yoga organizations are evident among some learners, although they lack professional guidance or an understanding of the therapeutic value of the practice. Most of those who practice cite such reasons as for physical fitness and avoiding idleness. Therefore, there is a need for Miami University to consider the viability of meditation as both a solution and a barrier to depression.