Meditation and mental health

[Optimus Prime]

Yes, although sometimes, meditation can lead to adverse effects in certain people, in other cases, it can be of immense benefit to people psychologically.

[heybai]

Driving in heavy traffic at high speed is approximately 1000 times riskier than mindfulness or metta practice, whereas metta practice and mindfulness lead to fewer traffic accidents.

I do not have actual data to back these claims up. 

[withywindel]

Dr. Margaret Singer, PhD, dealt with those who had no previous mental illness and how had serious problems after meditating. But basically, it could very well have to do with the type of meditation a person does and how long they meditate, for examples, going on a long retreat for some people may not be a good idea.

I'd be interested to know what kind of meditation these people had been doing, and how she knew they didn't have an undiagnosed mental health problem.


I find it hard to believe that practices like mindfulness of breathing and metta bahavana could harm anyone.

Spiny

Probably in her time it was mantra meditation. But there is a dissertation by a psychologist that is on the Buddhist Perspective, and it would take in vipassana, etc: http://downthecrookedpath-meditation-gurus.blogspot.com/2011/06/meditation-related-psychosis-from.html

[Spiny le Norman]

But there is a dissertation by a psychologist that is on the Buddhist Perspective, and it would take in vipassana, etc: http://downthecrookedpath-meditation-gurus.blogspot.com/2011/06/meditation-related-psychosis-from.html

Interesting stuff, and actually quite a good summary of the different approaches to Buddhist meditation.  The general impression I got from reading it is that psychosis is rare and usually occurs in those with a previous history, although less serious psychological problems can arise from periods of intensive practice or from practising incorrectly.

Perhaps this adds weight to the idea that it's always useful to have support and advice from experienced practitioners when undertaking a regular meditation practice. 

Spiny

[Bodhisatta2012]

Just before the very first meditation session in which I participated some fourteen years or so ago, a woman stated that she was a saved Christian, and was concerned about demons affecting her while meditating.  The other members smiled and nodded their heads. 

I turned my head slowly to greet her eye to eye and grinned with a sinister smile saying, "Here's Johnny!"

Here's Johnny

[dhammaseeker51]

Yes it's a constant problem isn't it, demons while meditating.
 
There's the "impatience demon/results driven demon."
The "I should be doing something else demon."
The demon of doubt. ("this isn't getting me anywhere")
The tiredness demon. (yawn..)
The demon of sensuality (usually food or sex)
The anger demon....

with Metta

[Monkey Mind]