In life, we must be positive and balanced for good mental health. However, we must have felt depressed and anxious at some time or the other. We must have also felt like a sinking ship in a sea of no hope. Current times are challenging. Several did the extreme and unthinkable during the covid times. Their reasons may have been bad health, loss of jobs, financial losses or bad relationships. There are other factors too that range from genetics, trauma, environmental and substance abuse. They probably were traumatised with bouts of anxiety and distress. Some may have experienced hallucinations and paranoia. It happens when one’s mind clogs and shuts and is unable to cope with self or the world around.
Can we overcome depression and anxiety without active medication? Doctors prescribe antidepressants to balance the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that are chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, responsible for communications between neurons in the brain. Serotonin and noradrenaline strongly influence mental behaviour patterns, while dopamine controls movement. These substances are fundamental to normal brain function. Antidepressants include Vilazodone, Citalopram, Sertraline etc. They moderate the brain activity but with several side effects. Agitation, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, insomnia are some common ones. They lead to chronic illness on extended use. Psychologists tell us to remain positive. But then, positivity doesn’t mean we ignore reality. It’s about knowing how to handle challenges.
Is depression due to unconscious mind’s repressed elements? Maybe. Whereas depression is symptomatic, its treatment must not be. Feeling sad on a bad day is just fine, but if it extends over a long time affecting everyday functioning, then it could be depression. Not wanting to do anything, feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ restless, not able to fall asleep, irregular eating, experiencing aches, and stomach problems that do not improve with treatment, trouble concentrating or remembering details, or making decisions, feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless and thinking about committing suicide are all its manifestations. A major concern is relapse when one is out of medications.
Can we express depression through Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality? He proposed that the mind is divided into three components: id, ego, and superego, and that the interactions and conflicts among these components create personality and its incongruencies. This idea is fraught with danger for it trivialises the interplay between the mind and the soul. How then do we overcome depression and anxiety? We need to rediscover the concept of ‘Understanding Self within Self.’ Should we not turn inwards to cleanse the self and the mind? Should we not turn to spirituality as our ancient texts suggest to gain control of the mind?
We must understand ‘Advaita Vedanta’ of Shankaracharya to unravel the mysteries around our lives. ‘Advaita’ is non-Duality or a state of evolution within this world, with constant detachment and bliss. What is this? Understand that there is a ‘physical-self’ and there is an ‘energy-self’ both defining us. ‘Energy-self’ surrounding the ‘physical-self’ has multiple levels of energies. A constant tussle within these energy levels causes mood changes, causing us to either rise or fall deeper into a mind abyss. Though our brain is tangible, our mind is not. Similarly, though our physical self is visible, our energy self is not. The ‘energy-self’, around us is the electric field called the ‘Bioplasmic body’. Is this energy uniform? Is it regulated? Who regulates? Answers to these can allow us, a control over our minds and bodies.
There are seven energy points within our body, known as ‘Chakras’. Each one of them corresponding to certain nerve bundles and major organs. ‘Sahasrara’, located at the top of the head, is responsible for spiritual connection. ‘Ajna’, located between the eyes is responsible for intuition and imagination. ‘Vishuddha’, located in the throat is responsible for verbal communication. ‘Anahata’, located near the heart is responsible for love and compassion. ‘Manipura’, located in the stomach area is responsible for confidence and self-esteem. ‘Svadhisthana’, located just below the belly button is responsible for sexuality and creative energy and ‘Muladhara’ located at the base of the spine is responsible for security and stability. It is the interplay between these energies and their layers called the ‘Koshas’ that sustain our existence, our body, mind and soul.
Whereas ‘Annamaya kosha’, the outer layer, called the food sheath depends on what we eat and how much we eat, controls our body weight or size and physical ailments, ‘Pranamaya’ kosha gives us the vital energy, breath, and life. ‘Manomaya’ kosha embedded within the ‘annamaya’ and ‘pranamaya’ koshas brings us the experiences and sensations from the outer world into our intuitive body. ‘Vijnanamaya kosha’, the seat of wisdom, brings us awareness and intuition. ‘Anandamaya kosha’ brings us bliss and happiness. When the chakras are blocked by random energy from the koshas, food or from the environment, we fall sick that is both mental and physical.
Besides, Chakras and Koshas, there are thousands of ‘Nadis’ that are channels for energy and vital life force. The ‘Sushumna Nadi’ running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head is the most important.
In order to control depression, anxiety and other malaises, we need to understand our body, we need to keep the energy levels high and in equilibrium that can protect us from falling sick. What must we do? For a start, breathing exercises must be rhythmic and in resonance with the cosmic energy. Yoga, its various postures and rhythmic breathing exercises help us to precisely channelise the energies in various ‘Sheathes’ and ‘Chakras’ into the ‘Sushumna Nadi’ via the ‘Ida and Pingala Nadis’ so they are in equilibrium at all times. Remember, healthy minds live in healthy bodies.
Whereas treating symptoms and forgetting causes can lead to short term benefits and may cause relapses, Yoga and meditation cleanse, replenish and regulate our energy systems that last long. Today, mental health and well-being is a +450-billion-dollar industry, and continuing to grow. A lot of human ignorance drives that market. Should we not care for our body and mind a little more? Lori Deschene, author of Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal, says “You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. It makes you human.” However, all these emotions cannot go ‘off the rocker’ to use an epithet. Yoga is the balm to a frayed mind.