Can Meditation Help with Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

                Can Meditation Help with Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

                                                               

The addition of meditation to a patient's existing treatment regimen may be advised for some bipolar disorder patients.

Some bipolar illness sufferers are known to ruminate more, which means they can concentrate on unpleasant memories during a depressed episode or pleasant memories during a manic phase. Long-term mood symptoms may benefit from meditation.

Meditation may or may not be effective for you because there is no "one size fits all" method for treating bipolar disorder. But given the benefits, it would be worthwhile to give it a shot.

What is meditation?

Meditation has long been a part of spiritual practice and has been around for thousands of years. In more recent times, meditation has been modified to encourage all-around mindfulness with an emphasis on obtaining peace and happiness.

There are many different meditation practises, but most focus on four fundamental components:

·       Environment: Locate a serene, quiet area with few outside disturbances.

·       Posture: It's crucial to be at ease when meditating, whether you're sitting, lying down, or even walking.

·       Attention: Pay attention to the present and keep your mind there. You can assist focus your attention by paying attention to your breathing, and feelings (physical or emotional) or by repeating a selected word or phrase.

·       Attitude: Specifically, work to cultivate an open and accepting mentality. This entails not judging your thoughts and feelings as they arise and pass. Recognize your thoughts, then expel them.

You can meditate on your own or with the help of a guided programme. These programmes might incorporate components from other mindfulness practises like yoga or breathing exercises.

Meditation can be used to control bipolar disorder.

Meditation can assist in long-term mood and symptom management when used in conjunction with your regular bipolar illness treatment regimen.

 In a 2019 research trial including 311 bipolar disorder II patients, those who practised meditation in addition to taking their medicine had less severe symptoms than those who only took their medication and didn't practise meditation.

The following depression symptoms showed the highest improvements:

• ·       Guilt
• ·       A downbeat attitude
• ·       A feeling of hopelessness

Approximately 3/4 of those with bipolar disorder I and 1/4 with bipolar disorder II were requested to participate in a 2017 study that asked them to describe their experiences with mindfulness exercises over the course of two years.

The findings imply that structured mindfulness practises, such as meditation, were linked to sustained reductions in self-reported symptoms. Even unstructured mindfulness exercises, such as regular mindful breathing, have been linked to a reduction in depressive episodes and other gains in day-to-day functioning.

According to research published in 2018, bipolar disorder patients who engaged in mindfulness-based therapies, such as meditation, had a significant reduction in their anxiety and depressive symptoms but not their manic symptoms.

Meditation Practice

Finding aspects of mindfulness and meditation that are effective for you is the only "correct" approach to practice.

You can practise meditation on your own by concentrating on the essential components mentioned above, or you can try a more guided approach. Community resources, such as the following, frequently offer meditation classes and support:

• ·       yoga studios
• ·       Sports facilities
• ·       clinics and hospitals

Finding a therapist with experience using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction, two evidence-based approaches that incorporate many components of meditation, may also be useful. A healthcare practitioner may be able to suggest reputable local service providers.

You might also employ internet resources or mindfulness-promoting mobile applications. Results from clinical trials suggest that these techniques can help lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance general wellbeing when used often as part of a guided mindfulness programme.

Can meditating elevate your mood?

Although meditation won't treat bipolar disorder, it might help you feel better.

The symptoms of anxiety and depression that are connected to bipolar disorder have shown the highest effects. Long-term mood disorders, such as the dramatic ups and downs linked to bipolar disorder, may also be helped by meditation.

The reason for this, according to brain researchers, is that mindfulness alters brain structures involved in stress management and emotional control. Mindful meditation can enhance self-awareness and emotional management in this way.

Next actions

When included in your bipolar disorder treatment regimen, meditation may help lessen short-term mood symptoms and enhance depression symptoms.

For those suffering from mania and psychosis, certain forms of meditation might not be effective. Before beginning any mindfulness-based approaches, it's crucial to consult your doctor or treatment group.

To start, you can discover structured programmes in your community or try using internet resources like tools or apps to aid you with your meditation at home. If you're interested, your healthcare team can also assist in setting you up with a therapist who specialises in mindfulness-based approaches.

It can take some time to get acclimated to meditation and integrate it into your daily routine. But just like with any lifestyle change, practice will make meditation feel more natural and lay the groundwork for outcomes that last a lifetime.