Comments on
Surviving Depression: A Mindful Way

By Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.

Depression is one of the most profound challenges of our time. We know that 25% of women and up to 12% of men will suffer …
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12 Comments to
“Surviving Depression: A Mindful Way”

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Donia Schloot 12:10 pm on March 25th, 2009

Thank you for this, Elisha. I have had depression for 17 years. It is being well-managed with treatment. Your piece on mindfulness with depression has been what I wanted to achieve when I was at my lowest in the past years. Again, thank you.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. 8:13 am on March 26th, 2009

Thank you Donia. I look forward to future interactions with you here.

rachel 7:25 pm on April 13th, 2009

I suffer from depression, anxiety, & panic attacks..I haven’t been diagnosed with anything yet, my doctor just threw me some pills (pristiq) and said take these, you need them. The problem is, I hate pills and will do anything to be able to control this without them. This is of coarse, easier said than done some days, so my question is, will these techniqes help with panic/anxiety? There have been a few days that I just wake up in a state of panic I just cannot make myself take these pills that have the ability to have worse side effects than I already have. I am trying to find a good mental health professional in my area, but I would love to have more options than just meds.
ANY HELP PLEASE…

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. 10:57 am on April 15th, 2009

Hello Rachel,

I applaud your efforts to work through these challenges. It is wonderful that you are seeking out a skilled professional and at the same time I would also recommend looking up a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in your area. If there is no program locally, you may want to try Steve Flowers who runs live online programs or look into the 10-session Mindfulness, Anxiety, and Stress Aliveguide program on http://www.aliveworld.com. As with anything, it’s important to know that this is a practice and takes time. With patience and persistence you can overcome the suffering associated with panic.

Sherri 1:01 pm on May 12th, 2009

Hi Rachael
I lost my son 14 mos. ago in a house fire. It was his 21st b-day. He lived there with his grandmother and uncle.(father’s side) Tim had a little apartment in the basement. His father and I divorced 10 years ago. To make a long story short,a piece of my heart is gone. Could you please tell me how to handle my grief?

Jill 9:19 am on March 11th, 2010

Thank you for this Mr. Goldstein, I look forward to reading more from you in the future.

ed mccarren 7:05 pm on April 1st, 2010

hi im ed from maine i’ve suffered from depression all my life looking into mimdfulness for help

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. 11:52 am on April 2nd, 2010

Welcome Ed….

keisha 11:33 am on July 26th, 2010

I have BP disorder and I have been declared disabled. I do not work anymore, so I am not sure if my depression is real or just boredom. I feel sometimes like I am in a boat in the middle of the water drifting. Without work, I don’t seem to have a lot of purpose or structure, it makes me feel like I don’t have a reason to live on. Any suggestions on what I should do? I can’t be suicidal cause I am also a single parent to a 9 year old boy, who is starting to need me less and less as he grows up. I need purpose of my own- please help.

kevin blumer 7:49 pm on November 29th, 2010

very good article very intresting a little bit off topic but deppression all the same when i have deppresion i cant tell my self im ok my head wont do that i cant doesnt matter what i do my head wins thats probably with having BPD but howcome i burn myslef delibretly trying to tell my mind that something is bad and my head dont want to lissten does the brain just completly say no to everything when you are really depressed

Steph 6:26 pm on February 14th, 2012

I busted out crying halfway through the article. It was a strange cry. There was sobbing. Afterwards I was able to talk to someone about the depression that I have been experiencing for a long time. It’s so simple, just allowing oneself to feel, but so easy to forget. I think I suppressed these feelings because I thought they made me an ungrateful human being.

Newlifefoundation 11:23 pm on March 13th, 2012

Thank you for highlighting how mindfulness offers new perspectives through recovery.

We are a recovery center in Thailand called New Life Foundation, offering treatment with an emphasis on mindfulness for anyone who is suffering because of depression, addiction problems or stress burnout. Articles like these are very important for showing people how their psyches and brains *can* get better, no matter how bad they feel right now.

Thank you so much for sharing!