Whenever there is a
certain happening in life whether it is positive or negative, the related
emotions quickly assemble in the mind of the person. Thus, the types of
happening(s) that get extracted from the memory at a particular time are
dependent on the category of current happening. If the current happening is
sorrowful then all the past happenings related to the element of sorrow will
get extracted. In this there will be preference for those sorrowful happenings which
are more closely and logically related to the current sorrowful happening. The
similar process goes for positive or happiness-making happenings.
It is important to note
here that in case of current sorrowful event the extraction of related sorrowful
happenings from the past will strengthen the emotions felt at a particular
time. This strengthening of emotions by virtue of related extraction becomes
the cause of depression and anxiety. A stoppage of allied emotions extraction
can be achieved by diverting the mind to something different. This can be the
reason why things and events that divert the mind achieve success in the
treatment of depression. It can also be added that the inability at the level
of self to divert the mind from the negative event can be an indicative of lack
of control of emotions.
A patient of depression
at first needs support of external help to divert the mind. Once the initial
diversion of mind has been achieved to a certain degree, the further control of
mind can be achieved through self initiated steps. It is for this reason that
lessons which teach diversion of mind should be taught in school and its
practice should be included through practical methods. One method by which
diversion can be achieved is learning to divert the flow of thoughts through
concentration on breathes or mantras. This has been taught as the method of
meditation since ancient times. Other methods through which diversion can be
achieved is going to new places, meeting with friends, watching a movie,
attending spiritual lessons.
Diversion therapy can
therefore be defined as the art of diverting the mind so as to achieve desired
medicinal effect or comfortable state of mind. Diversion therapy as a method of
treatment for depression can be practiced by specialized staff educated in ways
of achieving it. It becomes therefore essential to question the process by
virtue of which psychiatrists and clinical psychologists ask questions as
related to the event of sorrow. Should talking about sorrows with the patient
be really a method of recommendation for the treatment of the patient? Should
questions inquiring about the sorrowful happening be greatly reduced? Should
information derived by the patient be only limited to the content the patient
feels comfortable to share? Should the questions be limited to only extremely
essential information? Are there more such loop holes in the practice of
medicine and counseling? Such loop holes can delay the immediate response to
the treatment of depression or sometimes just take the condition of the patient
to a state which is worst than no treatment at all.
One important element of
emotions and thoughts that aggravate the sorrowful condition is that the flow
of negative thoughts is a “natural” process. Therefore, the technique to stop
the flow of negative emotions is required to be learnt or taught. As drops of
water always tend to join together to make a bigger drop so do the negative
emotions always join together with experiences from the past. This creates
intense sorrow and great grief. If this joining together of the negative
emotions can be stopped then the result will be a long lasting state of
emotional health and thought-generated comfort. Let’s then challenge the nature
of mind and win the controlling power of brain that shall then lead to
happiness as a gain forever.
Written by Ekta K. Kalra
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