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bacchantegirl
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 06 2022 : 03:00:08 AM
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I have recently returned to my Deep Meditation Practice after a year or so, largely because I find it helps with low mood. I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder for which I take my prescribed medication and I am currently dealing with challenging changes in my life, owing to illness in the family, which have been having a negative effect on my mood. I was rather alarmed to see that AYP practices appear not to be recommended for people with a serious mental illness without "the supervision of mental health professionals" (Yogani). Elsewhere on this forum, others have suggested gentler approaches e.g. mindfulness and breath-focused meditation.
Unfortunately, I don't have access to the recommended support (nor, really, the time/space or even the inclination). I have in the past seen various therapists (and recently spent my last amount of available funds trying Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncture) - none of which have I found particularly helpful. And I have participated in a full 8-week mindfulness course, as well as various other (Buddhist) meditation classes and a 9-day supposedly Vipassana retreat (having informed those running it of my diagnosis). Unfortunately none of these really worked for me either. I actually find Deep Meditation easier to do and more effective.
Other advice appears to be to do yoga/physical exercise - and I am hoping to build up to that/attend yoga classes as my schedule allows. However, excess weight is also an issue here. So I keep coming back to Deep Meditation as my starting point/foundation/bedrock (even if that's not supposed to be the 'right' way round - and maybe 'low mood' shouldn't be a primary source of bhakti but I'm hoping mine might be able to grow past that) ... It is also helping me to cut back on the glasses of wine of an evening (my diet is generally healthy/low GL/pescaterian).
I am hoping that, given the benefits I am experiencing, it is okay to continue ... as I really don't want to stop ... It gives me some space/peace around my thoughts ... I currently do 20 minutes DM in the morning, maybe slightly less in the evening and have been doing 5 minutes of SBP for about a week - and I would like to add in the Samyama at some point ... I have no plans to venture beyond that for quite some time ...
Apparently, at least one person with bipolar has found Transcendental Meditation useful:
https://www.sonima.com/meditation/m...ing/bipolar/
I would like to thank Yogani and all involved in running AYP for the availability of the wonderful teachings! It's interesting to see that things are expanding in terms of online courses/classes ... I wonder if you might consider putting on a class for people with mental health issues - perhaps one of the trained AYP teachers might also be qualified as a therapist ..?
With thanks and best wishes
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Jeanjean82
France
24 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2022 : 2:55:47 PM
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Hello bacchantegirl,
I'am not a mental health specialist nor a trained ayp teacher.
Maybe a mental health specialist could not help you to deal directly with your problem but could detect, if you engage in a ayp practice, if you go into the wall! Sometimes we need an objective outside opinion particularly with your disorder.
Bye |
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bacchantegirl
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2022 : 6:43:53 PM
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Hi and thanks for your reply, Jeanjean82. It's a good suggestion, although I don't know if a general mental health practioner might be able to work out whether there were any links to doing AYP practices, should my mental health deteriortate ... You are right about the usefulness of outside objective opinions re. bipolar. However, I tend to rely on friends and family for this. I think an ideal 'solution' might be if there was an option for checking in with an AYP trained teacher, especially if there was one with some experience of mental health therapy. I am going to try and find a way of suggesting this to those organising the new online classes ... I think the option of a brief phone or text chat once a fortnight/month would be great - and I would be happy to pay for such a service. Maybe, as AYP expands in these areas, it might be something they would be willing to consider ... With best wishes
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SeySorciere
Seychelles
1553 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2022 : 06:03:12 AM
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Dear bacchantegirl,
If you are already finding benefit in AYP practices, then I would say - continue, but proceed with great caution. I would advice to start out with 15 mins of DM only and stick with that for many months, even a year before adding anything else to it. This will ensure you are stable and it will be easy to self-pace (or stop) should you notice a deterioration in your condition.
AYP practices, as you know, is not a replacement for professional help.
Good luck on your journey
Sey  |
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bacchantegirl
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2022 : 4:36:15 PM
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Thanks so much, Sey for your response/wise words. I will indeed proceed with caution. From what I have read, meditation can be helpful for depression in bipolar disorder - but not so much for mania ... I understand AYP practices shouldn't be viewed as a replacement for professional help - even though I am finding them at least as helpful ... I thought this link was interesting:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/medi...he_b_5057335
But, overall, I get what you are saying and will proceed with great caution ...
With best wishes |
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bacchantegirl
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2022 : 2:17:09 PM
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Just to say that I had a really helpful response from Christi when I enquired about practising AYP with bipolar disorder and also whether there might be any support available in the future:
"I do have a few students already who are bipolar. Some of them do very well using the AYP system, whilst others struggle quite a bit. The ones who struggle, are the ones who find self-pacing difficult. They occasionally get into states where they feel as if everything is great, and they tend to ignore any signs that they may be overdoing practices. When that happens, they can push things too far, and end up with quite a long recovery period.
I have also had problems with bipolar students stopping their medication and continuing with practices, which has also not worked out so well.
So, basically everyone has to find their own way with this and work out if AYP is going to work for them over the long term. The system is designed for use by people who are able to manage their own practice effectively. So, we do not have any one-to-one support structures in place. AYP is a move away from the old guru-disciple system, where teachers would give their students regular individual support. There are plenty of schools out there for people who need that.
So, if you do want to pursue AYP, my suggestion would be the same as Yogani's, to make sure you are getting professional healthcare support from a trained psychologist or doctor. And it works best if that trained specialist is someone who is not your yoga teacher, so that they can have a more detached view of what is going on.
I am sure you will find a way. Those of my students who are bipolar, and who have managed to navigate the illness are doing very well and are experiencing the fruits of the path."
With thanks and best wishes to everyone for their help!
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Dogboy
USA
2242 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2022 : 7:38:30 PM
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Good advice  |
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Practicing Deep Meditation with Bipolar Disorder
