Iris Cole interviews Dr. Oren Tana about depression and its treatment (Walla system)
Anxiety and depression are challenges we are all familiar with, certainly in recent years, but there are people for whom these challenges are much more significant and dangerous.
Neuroticism, according to psychology, is a personality component that tends to intensify negative emotions such as fear, anger and guilt.
And studies show that people with high levels of neuroticism are (unsurprisingly) at increased risk of developing depression, anxiety and risky behaviors such as smoking, alcoholism and drug use.
Now, a new study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE suggests that for people with high levels of neuroticism, the key to improving life may actually come from one of the world's oldest traditions.
The study, conducted at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, found that the five central principles in Buddhism can significantly improve the mental state of these people, in a way that can even prevent depression, even without professional help.
The five central principles in Buddhism may seem quite familiar to you, because in practice, they are quite common even on our home turf.
These principles call believers not to kill, not to steal, to avoid unhealthy sexual behavior, not to lie with bad intent and not to use mind-altering substances.
Worth a try, no?
An illustration of a depressed woman inside a medicine bottle (Photo: ShutterStock)
In an article that reviewed the research and was published in the Neuroscience News magazine that deals with neuroscience, previous studies were also presented that have already shown that adhering to these principles helps people improve their quality of life and mental health, but this is the first study that directly examines their effect on people who are, as mentioned, at increased risk of depression and Those who are already dealing with active depression.
To examine this complex issue, Dr. Nahathai Wongpakaran and her team from Chiang Mai University focused on the well-known connection between neuroticism, mental stress and depression. As mentioned earlier studies have shown that neuroticism increases the risk of depression, among other things because of what is defined as " The perception of stress" - that is, the way in which a person with a neurotic personality structure perceives stressful events that happen to him and reacts to them.
Between the years 2019 and 2022, which were known to be particularly challenging for the mental health of people all over the world, the researchers examined data on 644 people, among other things, using questionnaires designed to determine the levels of neuroticism, depression symptoms and "stress perception" of the respondents.
It is important to note that all the research participants were Thai, a large number of whom are considered Buddhists and live according to the five main principles of this religion.
More in Walla!
Feeling a little depressed?
There is a very simple (and nice) thing that can be done
To the full article
The findings showed as mentioned that among the subjects who showed signs of high neuroticism, the risk of also suffering from symptoms of clinical depression was considerably lower.
Although the study is statistical and did not prove a cause and effect relationship between the two, it joins a long line of similar academic facts from all over the world that point to such a relationship.
In an article published in the journal of Harvard University, they explained for example the connection between meditation practice and a better ability of the brain to manage stress and anxiety.
In the article they emphasized that such practice regularly improves brain function in a way that reduces the impact of these complex emotions and may prevent them from getting worse, intensifying and leading to clinical depression.
Helps the brain manage stress and anxiety.
A woman meditates (Photo: ShutterStock)
In this context, it is important to emphasize that the practice of meditation, which is one of the prominent rituals of Buddhism, is not only intended to take a break and concentrate on breathing.
This is a practice that, if carried out in an intelligent way, may increase self-control, cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, contain complex emotions in a healthier way, improve attention and concentration abilities and even have a positive effect on neural mechanisms in the brain and other parts of the body.
And these principles, we emphasize again, do not only exist in Buddhism, but also in other religions and yes, also in Judaism.
Studies show, for example, that Jewish prayers, which include gratitude for the good in our lives, along with faith and helping others, can also affect the brain in a positive way and even combat some of the most common and complex mental challenges that accompany us all.
health
Healthy life
Tags
depression
anxiety