Spiritual Strategies for coping with Mental Health Issues

 

       Mental Health (around the world) is widely misunderstood and unrecognized.  It's surprising in 2021 to still be saying that, but every day I meet people who do not know how to properly detect a mental health issue when it is in front of them.  

                                                ~Lilac

Grief Happens

Hi!  I'm Lilac from The Lilac Broom on YouTube.  I often address the concept of grief when I am reading Tarot for my clients, or while providing a Reiki Healing session. Grief happens.  Grief is often blanketed over when people address a friend or co-worker who has had a devastating loss.  In one respect, they know that the person who has experienced the loss is sad...but is sadness grief?  Many people do not realize that grief can become complicated, as in Complicated Grief.  The diagnosis suggests a comorbidity of feelings of loss and other conditions along with the grief itself. Some other people begin to grieve before the tragic event occurs (as in the case of learning of a terminally ill loved-one).  This is called Anticipatory Grief.  Grief can look like other things.  It can appear as Anger, impatience or poor temperament.  It also manifests as confusion, forgetfulness or weepiness.  You can see why it would be easy to mistake grief for any number of other issues!

Depression- it's not just sadness

     Many people are diagnosed with Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorder.  It is commonly marked by repeated periods of low mood that occur over time.  This is one of the ways you can tell whether someone is experiencing grief due to an event vs a Mental Health disorder that recurs year after year.  Depression can have all of the same symptoms as grief.  A depressive episode can be marked with mood swings, disconnecting from social activities and periods of weepiness and tearfulness. I have been surprised to find how many people have no idea that Depression is a Mental Health issue and not just "feeling sad".  Depression can lead to difficulties coping with life, failing to thrive and suicide.  For these reasons, depression is a serious mental health issue.  But how is it different from Grief?

Grief and Depression-a Dark mix

"I like to think of my work with Tarot Readings and Reiki Healing Sessions as a Spiritual practice. " ~Lilac

I see how certain Spiritual practices provide healing and support to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and also to those who regularly struggle with episodes of depression like those that contribute to a mental health diagnosis.  I believe the reason for this is connected to the vibrational frequency that both grief and depression share. In each case, whether grief or depression, the person suffering has not caused the issue that is causing them to suffer.  Grief happens to all of us in different ways and usually very suddenly.  

Depression may not "come out of nowhere" and suddenly affect a person, but it does cause the same outcome:  feelings of despair, hopelessness, fear and confusion.  Grief and depression BOTH affect a person's ability to concentrate and give 100% to the duties and activities that they are normally able to manage. The worst part is that Depression mixed with grief is a dark cocktail, one which leads the sufferer to the depths of inner despair.  

Tarot and Grief

Several cards in the Tarot deck predict or indicate the presence of conditions such as grief or depression.  This is why it is possible to connect deeply with a depressed or grief-stricken person during a Tarot Card Session and help them to release some of the painful thoughts and feelings that are holding them hostage inwardly.  Although grieving a death or a loss does take time and every person's timetable will be different, it can be a useful therapy to analyze and talk with a wise and knowledgeable Tarotist.  For those of us who have experienced Grief ourselves, or who are Depressed ourselves, the Tarot has answers that other methodologies have not provided.  I always work with clients to find their place of power and build from there.  For example, when a death or a loss has rendered a client heartbroken, it helps to talk about the loss and then to talk about how to heal and specific activities or practices that could help.  Incorporating dietary changes, the addition of Reiki Therapy or Yoga, and even just "talking it out", can all help speed up the healing process.

Reiki and Grief~ Reiki and Depression

Reiki Healing (pronounced Ray-key) is a form of therapy that can help a person heal the physical body after an illness or injury, and can help a depressed person feel symptom relief and help balance their moods and thoughts.  Reiki can help heal grief in much the same way that it works to heal the body.  Grief does affect the body and can cause illness if it is not addressed.  Unresolved grief can lead to serious health issues and death.  Reiki can help prevent or reverse these types of situations. Your Reiki Therapy treatment plan will focus on your specific needs. Treatment for Grief that is not complicated grief, can last for approximately 6 to 9 sessions.  Treatment for depression (Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorder), can be ongoing for a lifetime to experience relief during relapse periods or as preventative care. These types of treatments, historically have been used as the only course of treatment.  In our world today, with Western Medical advances and trained therapists being covered by medical insurances, Reiki and Tarot treatments are generally considered supplemental. Although supplemental, these therapies can increases the efficacy of more mainstream treatments when used in combination.

Can Reiki or Tarot Sessions help ease Anxiety Disorders like OCD and GAD?

As we have seen with grief and depression, Reiki and Tarot sessions can work hand in hand with traditional therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral (talk therapy), Hypnosis, and the use of medications.  You do not have to choose one over the other, but can use your traditional treatment plan alongside the Reiki Therapy or Tarot Therapy.  As I stated above, it is a supplemental (additional) healing option.  On some level, there is an energetic and vibrational connection between ALL bodily movements, ALL thoughts, ALL feelings...whereby healing is possible.  Although Reiki or Tarot may not ever completely alleviate OCD or GAD, it can help the pain of the disorders.  There can be improvements in stress reducing, lowering blood pressure and relieving anxious thoughts. Reiki practice (much like Yoga practice) is a very good discipline for anyone with anxiety.  I would recommend 30 minute sessions once a week or twice per month for best results.

Some mental health issues are not suitable to combine with Reiki or Tarot.  People with illnesses that present with psychosis or personality disorders may not be able to detect or communicate improvements and may not experience improvements if they cannot identify them through proper self-reflection.  There are no health issues that would limit any person from receiving the Reiki healing.  For those with severe mental illness, Reiki can be given from a distance or in person by the Reiki healer.  All illnesses, including cancer, respond positively to Reiki treatments.  

Reiki for an hour can give you the power- much like an Apple a day can keep the doctor away.

For more information about Reiki or to schedule a Reiki or Tarot Healing Session, or to become a Reiki practitioner yourself, please visit my website at:

https://the-lilac-broom.yolasite.com/

~Namaste

Lilac