By Adelena Gustafsson

I was 16 when I had my first breakdown, and I literally couldn’t get out of bed for a month. Since then I have had to seek treatment for anxiety and depression. I remember always having to find a new outlet just to be able to move on from what was weighing me down or making me feel down in the dumps. I sought help whenever I found myself stuck in a loop; at one point I even had to go on medication. I was medicated for a year. I remember only feeling numb though I must admit I functioned better than I had in the previous years. However, I was not able to really feel my true emotions and that was when I decided I needed to get off medication.

I have managed to acknowledge my problems over the years, but it takes a long time for recovery. It has already been 20 years and I am still learning. Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people in different ways. It not only affects men and women, but also children. One is usually diagnosed with depression when symptoms persist for at least two weeks.

I have managed to acknowledge my problems over the years, but it takes a long time for recovery. It has already been 20 years and I am still learning. Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people in different ways. It not only affects men and women, but also children. One is usually diagnosed with depression when symptoms persist for at least two weeks.

According to Higuera and Holland (2018), the most common causes of depression are family history, early childhood trauma, inactive brain structure, certain medical conditions like chronic illnesses and insomnia and also drug abuse. Having said so, some may never know the causes of their depressive states. Depression can cause pain in the body such as joint pain and back pain. It can also lead to some other physical effects such as a change in appetite, digestive disorders and trouble sleeping to name a few.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the most common illness worldwide and the leading cause of disability. They estimate that 350 million people are affected by depression, globally.

For most, treatment works really well and of course there are different types of treatment; it is more of finding a suitable treatment. One of the first things to do if you suspect that you or someone you know may be depressed is to seek help by either talking to someone you trust, or let the person know you are there to help, respectively.  Getting support and seeking help from a professional is key. Some of the most common treatments are psychotherapy where the patient talks to a professional counsellor, or drug therapy where a doctor prescribes medication, usually an antidepressant. Other forms of treatments may include meditation and regular exercise.

I went down a slippery slope in my mind again after giving birth to my son. I was so afraid that I would go into postpartum depression and when it actually came about I was completely unaware of what to do because this time it was different.

I discovered yoga a few years ago through a very good friend, but it was only mid last year that I truly accepted it into my life. It has truly changed me for the better. One of my best friends reintroduced it to me while she was visiting me in Gozo, Malta. I was going through a crisis. My best friend was a real comfort to have. Though she was only able to stay for 4 days, she left something meaningful which I carry to this day – Yoga.

In the beginning I used any possible tool I could find to learn and practise – from Youtube, to apps and classes that I could find around the island. I would look up and research the best methods to suit me. Due to my hypermobility, I had to be extra careful when practising on my own, and after a while I decided I would take an instructor’s course. As I searched for a course closest to home, I stumbled upon MAYI. I felt that I needed to come home and be near my family after living away for 15 years. Little did I know that it was the best decision I have ever made.

It was a wonderful feeling as I became more aware of my body and my surroundings. I became more patient and understanding towards others, and this all happened in the first month of my training. I decided I had to keep going and explore further into the intermediate and advanced courses. I also did the Pranayama Instructor’s course. Pranayama plays an important role in my daily practice and teaching. 

Teaching has helped me become more aware of how others practice and how I can help them. All that has helped me become a better instructor. It felt natural to practise more frequently as I prepare for my classes and that led me to feel more confident within myself. I find that all asanas serve a purpose but most of us tend to gravitate towards a few favourites. Here are just a few of my favourites. These asanas come with wonderful benefits as tabulated below.

Mental health is a very real and important issue. There is no shame in talking about it. I am open about my depression and I feel that it is important to talk to someone you trust or seek help when you feel the need to because hiding, ignoring or suppressing it may not help you get better. Practicing yoga on a regular basis has also helped me improve not just my physical, but my mental state as well. I hope this will help you too.

Reference

Higuera, V. & Holland, K. (2018). Everything you want to know about depression. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression#treatment