Monday, December 29, 2008

Meditation: No Magic Depression Treatment

While meditation can help many who are depressed, it's not a sure-fire cure, Raison tells WebMD. "In fact, many people with mood disorders find they can't do meditation when they're depressed." Their thoughts are too overwhelming. They are anxious, nervous, and can't sit -- and likely they need antidepressants, he says.

"For people who are seriously depressed -- or whose depression involves too much internal focus and rumination -- meditation can make their depression worse," he tells WebMD. "Early on, they begin to realize things about themselves they are uncomfortable with."

Meditation provides true insight into why we behave as we do, Raison says. "There can be a shocking realization when you start watching your thoughts. You see the junk that's in there, and it can be very distressing. Every individual case is different. With depression, which can be so disabling and overwhelming, we need to use wisely all treatment modalities to give people the best outcomes."

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