Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Dear Dr. Simon: I was a happy, bubbly child with a dramatic, overemotional side, which later was identified as mania when I began to have very low moods that I couldn’t get out of. After more than 25 years of treatment, I’m questioning whether the price of the medication that has helped me remove the lows has also been to remove all the highs and passion in my life. I also question whether the medication will keep me from fully following my spiritual path. I know all too well how the body and mind are connected and I’m wondering if the chemical imbalance in the body will keep my mind and spirit from being fully well. Thank you for your advice.
Answer: If you inherited an illness such as muscular dystrophy and there was an effective medical intervention to relieve the symptoms, I would hope that you wouldn’t reject the medication or indulge in too much rumination about why you got the disease since no one can know for sure. I believe that some psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, have a core genetic component.
Since the physical symptoms of emotional illness are usually not that obvious, people sometimes believe that they should be able to control their moods without using medication. In my experience, it isn’t an either/or decision. I find that for some people, pharmaceutical intervention combined with a mind-body-spirit approach is required to maintain healthy neurochemistry. Whether or not you’re taking medication need not be the defining criterion of your life. Instead, I’d encourage you to focus on making choices that will bring you the greatest level of wellbeing. By committing to take the following steps, you will able to raise your level of physical and psychological health:
- Learn and engage in a daily practice of meditation and yoga.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Eliminate junk food, refined sugar, and excessive caffeine.
- Develop a regular exercise routine that develops your flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
- Follow a daily routine to balance your specific mind-body type, known in ayurveda as your “dosha.” Learn more about doshas and take the Dosha Quiz here.
- Learn the skills of conscious communication.
As you take these steps toward freedom, your mind and body will begin to move from constriction to expansion. You may also want to consider attending a Perfect Health workshop at the Chopra Center, where you can experience the physical and emotional detoxification process known as panchakarma. You’ll also learn skills and receive support that will help you realize that you are truly a lovable person and deserve to be happy.
With love,
David
To ask Dr. Simon your questions about emotional wellbeing, health, and self-empowerment, please send an email to askdrsimon@freetolove.com