MEDITATION IN PSYCHOTHERAPY FORUM ARCHIVE
Return to the active forum
SHIZOPHRENIA AND MEDITATION
Jim Spira · 01/06/01 at 1:37 ET
Meditation has nothing whatsoever to do with the development of schizophrenia. That disease process develops genetically, and expresses usually between 17 and 28 years old (paranoid type often developing later than disorganized types). Howeveer, I do not recommend silent sitting meditation for schizophrenia, as such patients tend to focus on their thinking, which is already delusional, and are incapable of doing proper meditation - which entails focusing AWAY from fantasy/delusion/thinking and TO what is directly in front of one (what one sees, hears, feels, independent of what one thinks ABOUT it). On the other hand, I use Tai Chi and Yoga for patients with schizophrenia, and have found that they focus better, reduce their arousal, and interact better with their environment and others (as verified through pre/post neuropsych changes). I have also used Zen Meditation with schizophrenics who have received antipsychotic treatment for a while and who first do Tai Chi. This teaches patients to discriminate between what they perceive and what they think ABOUT what they perrceive.
Replies:
|
| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |
Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.
