As a Reiki practitioner, I have seen first-hand the benefits that this healing technique can have on improving mental health. Reiki is a powerful tool which can be incredibly beneficial for individuals dealing with neuropsychiatric conditions.
The mind-body connection i.e. the relationship between the psychological and physiological processes in the body suggests a link between a person’s mental and emotional state and their physical health. If you are curious about this connection, do check out my article “Spiritual Anatomy: The Five Koshas” to know how the mind and body are not separate entities, but rather, they interact and influence each other constantly. Reiki helps in balancing the energy in the body, which can help to alleviate physical symptoms that may be related to mental ill-health.
One of the main benefits of Reiki is its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Stress is a major contributor to mental issues such as anxiety and depression, and Reiki’s ability to reduce stress can therefore be beneficial in managing these conditions. Reiki alleviates symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as it can help to release emotional blockages and promote emotional healing. It encourages sleep, which can be beneficial for individuals with stress and improves the overall sense of well-being and self-esteem.
Reiki is considered a holistic approach to healing and can be used to enhance the effectiveness of other therapies. Many of my clients who undertook therapy for mental disorders vouched that Reiki helped them to better process their emotions and to gain insights into their condition.
There are many different mental conditions that Reiki can help with. Some of them are:
1. Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders, affecting approximately 20% of the population at some point in their lives. These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
2. Depression
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. According to World Health Organization, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression.
3. Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, affects approximately 2.8% of the adult population. It is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. These swings can include episodes of mania (an elevated or irritable mood) and episodes of depression (a low or sad mood). The severity and frequency of these episodes can vary from person to person.
4. Personality disorder
Personality disorder is characterized by patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are significantly different from cultural norms that cause distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. They are typically divided into three main categories:
- Cluster A: disorders characterized by odd or eccentric thinking and behaviour. This includes disorders such as paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.
- Cluster B: disorders characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic thinking and behaviour. This includes disorders such as borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
- Cluster C: disorders characterized by anxious or fearful thinking and behaviour. This includes disorders such as avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
5. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. Symptoms of schizophrenia can include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there), delusions (false beliefs), disordered thinking and speech, and a lack of motivation or emotional expression. People with schizophrenia may also have difficulty with social interactions and performing everyday tasks.
6. Eating disorders
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, affecting approximately 3% of the population.
7. PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
8. ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects about 5% of children, and about 2.5% of adults, worldwide. The main symptoms of ADHD include difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s ability to function at home, school, or work and cause relationship problems.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of the many different types of mental disorders that exist. Additionally, many people may not seek help for their mental health issues due to stigma, lack of resources or fear of discrimination. Also, some people may have more than one mental disorder, and that mental disorders can occur in conjunction with other medical conditions, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.
Reiki improves the mind-body connection by not only alleviating pain and releasing stress but also promoting self-awareness and self-acceptance, which can be especially beneficial for individuals dealing with personality disorders. This can help individuals understand their thoughts, feelings and actions better and can lead to more positive changes in their behaviour.
If you are struggling with a mental condition, Reiki can be a valuable complementary therapy for your mental health, and it may be worth adding it to your treatment plan considering its many benefits. To top it all, Reiki, being a non-invasive, gentle technique that can be used safely by people of all ages, it can be performed by a practitioner or individuals can learn to perform it on themselves, making it an easily accessible form of healing.
As a Reiki practitioner, I can attest to the benefits that this healing technique can have on improving mental health. Reiki’s ability to reduce stress, promote relaxation, improve sleep, and enhance the effectiveness of other therapies can be incredibly beneficial in managing mental conditions. If you are dealing with a mental illness, I recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional and exploring the option of adding Reiki to your treatment plan.
Article by Reiki Master Supriya Nair
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Dr. Supriya Nair, IMD, PhD has been a Reiki and Kriya Yoga practitioner since 2008. A conduit between the scientific and spiritual worlds, Dr. Supriya has a profound fascination for the healing arts. Apart from holding the title of Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Dr. Supriya is a certified Health Coach and proficient in various integrative medicine modalities. She is also the author of "Train Your Brain to Unchain Your Pain."
To get in touch with Dr. Supriya, you can reach out via email at suprianair@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/supriyanair111 and on Instagram at instagram.com/proconscious.cafe.
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