I'm so depressed

[greggorious]

I feel so depressed right now. I'm diagnosed as having major depression and generalised anxiety disorder. I wanted to take up Buddhism cos I thought it might help me, but the more I read up on Buddhism the worse I feel. All the stories of being trapped in hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms is making me feel so depressed.
If feels like the cycle will never end for me. I came into the life unhappy and I'm gonna go into my next life even more unhappy.

[David N. Snyder]

1. Talk with a / your therapist.
2. Eat right. (I have heard non-nutritious foods can trigger hormonal changes / depression)
3. Exercise. (has been shown to improve emotional well-being)
4. Try walking meditation. (I have heard walking is usually better than sitting for those suffering from depression.)
5. Metta meditation.

[mikenz66]

Hi greggorious,

In addition to David's excellent advice, I would advise that if you want to get more into Buddhism you should search out a local group. The companionship is invaluable and you are very unlikely to find real-life Buddhists spending much time on "stories of being trapped in hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms".

Be Well!


Mike

[perkele]

Theoretical discussions about Buddhism on online forums can easily contribute to depression.

Try the following:
1) Order a pizza.
2) Say thank you to the delivery guy and give him a tip.
3) Eat the pizza.
4) If a hungry ghost is harassing you, give him a piece of pizza.
5) Wash the dishes.

[greggorious]

Do you think I should give Dhammawheel a rest for a while, just practice?

[reflection]

Maybe watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N_jjY7W_fs


With metta,
Reflection

[Ben]

Hi Greg,
Certainly continue with the practice. Keep it simple -
sila,
samadhi
panna

On top of that I agree with what has been said above particularly by David and Mike. You need to see a therapist (if you are not already doing so).
Major depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain and may require medical treatment as well as cognitive therapy.
Also keep in mind that while you may feel alone - you are not Robinson Caruso. Depression is extremely common and there are very many Buddhists who also suffer from major depression.
with metta,

Ben

[Virgo]

I feel so depressed right now. I'm diagnosed as having major depression and generalised anxiety disorder. I wanted to take up Buddhism cos I thought it might help me, but the more I read up on Buddhism the worse I feel. All the stories of being trapped in hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms is making me feel so depressed.
If feels like the cycle will never end for me. I came into the life unhappy and I'm gonna go into my next life even more unhappy.

Hi Greg,

Just relax for a little while.

Kevin

[Aloka]

I feel so depressed right now. I'm diagnosed as having major depression and generalised anxiety disorder. I wanted to take up Buddhism cos I thought it might help me, but the more I read up on Buddhism the worse I feel. All the stories of being trapped in hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms is making me feel so depressed.
If feels like the cycle will never end for me. I came into the life unhappy and I'm gonna go into my next life even more unhappy.

Hi greg,

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. In addition to the other advice you've received, I would suggest that maybe you could find simple ways of helping to relax body and mind a little - maybe go for a stroll and have a relaxing bath afterwards, or go for a massage with a qualified complementary therapist. As for worrying about other realms or lives, this is the one you're living at the moment ....so gently let go of those negative thoughts to be fully present in the here and now.

with kind wishes,

Aloka

[perkele]

Do you think I should give Dhammawheel a rest for a while, just practice?

I guess you're addressing me here since I said discussing theoretically about Buddhism on online forums can contribute to depression.

I'm just a hypocrite sitting in front of the computer all day and spending way too much time here, and I'm hardly able to just sit and focus on my breath for even a minute. So I'm in no real position to give you practical advice with regards to practice.
But I would say if you know how to practice even a tiny bit that would probably be a great thing to do. But this is hardly the place to learn it.

[greggorious]

Thanks for the link reflection. I love Ajahn Brahm, he's so quirky, yet full of compassion. He's also from North London, like me

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Greg,

This is a good book, it may be of assistance.

The Zen Path Through Depression - Philip Martin
http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Path-Through- ... 0060654457



Metta,
Retro.

[Alobha]

Do you think I should give Dhammawheel a rest for a while, just practice?

Dhammawheel is part of the practice.

1. Talk with a / your therapist.
2. Eat right. (I have heard non-nutritious foods can trigger hormonal changes / depression)
3. Exercise. (has been shown to improve emotional well-being)
4. Try walking meditation. (I have heard walking is usually better than sitting for those suffering from depression.)
5. Metta meditation.

Take care,
Alobha

[reflection]

Thanks for the link reflection. I love Ajahn Brahm, he's so quirky, yet full of compassion. He's also from North London, like me

You're welcome. I love him too. His talks are always very practical as well.

As he probably also mentiones, don't focus on the negative parts of your life. Don't focus only on the depression. Instead remember that life also has many beautiful things. Enjoy the morning, the sun, the people you're with, each breath etc.

I hope you can loose the depression quickly. It will not last forever.


With metta,
Reflection

[farmer]

Practicing dana can be a great way to brighten up a gloomy mind, and there are always opportunities for dana near at hand. You could do something as simple as taking a crust of bread outside to feed the birds.

"I tell you, Vaccha, even if a person throws the rinsings of a bowl or a cup into a village pool or pond, thinking, 'May whatever animals live here feed on this,' that would be a source of merit, to say nothing of what is given to human beings. "

Here an excerpt from Thanissaro Bikkhu's lovely essay on the role of dana as a foundation for the path:

Over in Thailand, children's first exposure to Buddhism, after they've learned the gesture of respect, is in giving. You see parents taking their children by the hand as a monk comes past on his alms round, lifting them up, and helping them put a spoonful of rice into the monk's bowl. Over time, as the children start doing it themselves, the process becomes less and less mechanical, and after a while they begin to take pleasure in giving.

At first this pleasure may seem counterintuitive. The idea that you gain happiness by giving things away doesn't come automatically to a young child's mind. But with practice you find that it's true. After all, when you give, you put yourself in a position of wealth. The gift is proof that you have more than enough. At the same time it gives you a sense of your worth as a person. You're able to help other people. The act of giving also creates a sense of spaciousness in the mind, because the world we live in is created by our actions, and the act of giving creates a spacious world: a world where generosity is an operating principle, a world where people have more than enough, enough to share. And it creates a good feeling in the mind.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... generosity

[Lampang]

the more I read up on Buddhism the worse I feel. All the stories of being trapped in hell realms, animal realms, hungry ghost realms is making me feel so depressed.

So put all that stuff aside. There are plenty of Buddhists around who don't pay the slightest attention to this.

And exercise. In Britain, exercise is routinely now prescribed instead of medication for mild to moderate depression and it's been shown (by researchers at Duke, I seem to remember) to have better long-term results than medication alone. I've been hospitalized for depression in the past so I've got some experience of this and also an interest in how to avoid recurrent episodes; since I started doing weights, I've had nothing but positive moods. That could, of course, be pure coincidence but it's also in keeping with the research. And also, just hang on. Depressive episodes end and people get better. In the end, even the longest, darkest night gets broken by dawn.

[appicchato]

...this (Dhamma Wheel) is hardly the place to learn it.

I (for one) have learned a lot here...thank you...

[perkele]

...this (Dhamma Wheel) is hardly the place to learn it.

I (for one) have learned a lot here...thank you...

I am sorry for what I have said. It was certainly off the mark.
I did not mean to denigrate this place. What I meant was that this is not a replacement for real life.
I was just projecting my own stuff. It was stupid. I apologize
I guess many people can learn a lot here. And I hope I can do that, too.

[greggorious]

Coming from a Zen background, I agree with you. Words are secondary to experience.

[perkele]

Thank you for not taking offence.

I must say that I do think this is a great place and it is wonderful that the Dhamma is discussed with great enthusiasm and interest by many well-versed people here, and I am grateful for that.

The reason why I was so negative (although my intention was not sinister) is just that I have my own problems in real life that I don't deal with properly, and of course that it's the nature of internet forums that they are also always places for some useless proliferation and discussions about nothing - which I tend to get stuck in a lot. Not always easy to focus on all the good stuff that is there and take it to good use. I seriously need some practice in focussing on important matters and restrain my negativity.
So don't take my negative comments seriously. I hope you accommodate yourself well here and take some insights into the real world where it is needed.