DEPRESSION:
Edgar Cayce's HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH DEPRESSION
By
Susan A. Lendvay
Editor-in-Chief, Venture Inward.
Depression, the Edgar
Cayce readings, in looking at depression holistically, consider the mind, body,
and spirit equally in diagnosing its causes and recommending treatment, reports
David McMillin, a mental health clinician who researched the readings for his
book, The Treatment of Depression: A Holistic Approach. Despite advances
in research and clinical application, depression remains a devastating illness
which takes its toll on millions of individuals. Thus the unique approach presented
in the Cayce readings may yet prove valuable.
"Generally speaking, the readings did not view depression as a condition that
an individual could heal on their own," notes McMillin. "Nor was the responsibility
of healing placed on the shoulders of a healthcare professional. Typically,
the healing process was portrayed as a cooperative venture."
The information McMillin found in over 100 case studies suggests that mainstream
psychiatric and psychological diagnosis and treatment may be missing some key
elements. For example, if spinal misalignment plays a significant role in certain
cases of depression, these cases might respond poorly or not at all to established
psychotherapeutic treatments. The major themes of the Cayce approach are:
- Mind, body, and spirit interface at definite centers within the human anatomy.
- The mind is not synonymous with the brain--the mind uses the brain and nervous
system, thus maintaining the mind/body interface.
- Spirit interfaces with body through the functioning of the glandular system.
To think of mind, body, and spirit as separate distorts the wholeness of the
self. Dysfunction in any one of these necessarily affects the whole being.
The readings strongly emphasize the physical aspect of depression, writes McMillin.
Essentially, they view depression as a literal "depressing" or inhibition of
nerve impulses. The visceral organs and sensory nervous system are emphasized
as playing key roles in such physical symptoms as disturbed sleep and appetite,
listlessness, headaches, backaches, etc. A wide variety of causative factors
are noted as producing these symptoms. Toxemia (accumulated poisons), sometimes
produced by reabsorption of toxins due to faulty eliminations, and glandular
dysfunctions--most often adrenal, thyroid, and pineal--are commonly cited as
contributing to the pathological process.
Psychological problems (dysfunctional attitudes) are often a prominent component,
either as an effect produced by physical dysfunction or as a primary cause.
There can be a psychosomatic aspect, where pathological thinking or attitudes
eventually cause degeneration in the nerve impulse, inducing a pathological
condition in the physical. Self-condemnation was noted as a particularly destructive
mental pattern. "Mind is the builder" is a prominent theme in the readings and
points up the inherent link between mental processes and the nervous system,
in this case.
Negative life events, loss of meaning in life, and hopelessness are noted in
several cases. The readings typically referred to these factors as a loss of
ideals, or more specifically, as a failure to establish a spiritual ideal around
which to center one's life. This sense of spiritual malaise could lead to despair,
negative mental patterns, and eventually to mild physical symptoms which the
readings labeled "dis-ease." Prolonging this pathological trend could produce
disease.
THE BASIC
TREATMENT PLAN
The treatment recommended by the readings is suitable for most cases and may
be entirely sufficient for low-level depression, says McMillin. It is also appropriate
as a maintenance plan or preventative to reduce the likelihood of relapse. One
benefit of this program is that it is relatively safe--producing few, if any,
harmful side effects. Many of these suggestions can also be integrated with
contemporary mental health resources--for example, the spinal manipulations
and diet can be combined with antidepressants that have been prescribed, or
with ongoing psychotherapy, without ill effects.
* Improving eliminations is a high priority since the readings cite toxemia
as one of the most common causative factors associated with depression. The
main therapies for this are hydrotherapy (drinking plenty of water, steam baths,
epsom salt baths, colonics), manual therapy (osteopathy and chiropractic), massage, castor oil packs, and
diet.
* Manual therapy and massage help coordinate the central and peripheral nervous
systems and correct what the readings called a "lapse in the nerve impulse."
* The radial appliance (a non-electrical
device described in the readings, said to balance the body's own energies) may
prove helpful in cases where restlessness, fatigue, or insomnia are significant
symptoms.
* Moderate outdoor exercise was consistently emphasized as important for relaxation,
improving eliminations, and, in certain cases, as a form of phototherapy (the
treatment of disease with light).
* The ideals exercise is an important intervention for establishing priorities,
not only within the therapeutic regimen, but also for long-term health maintenance.
This is also an excellent means of recognizing and correcting dysfunctional
attitudes and beliefs.
* Prayer and meditation, the spiritual phase of treatment, encourages a broader
perspective on the immediate situation. The readings often encouraged not just
the patient but the therapist also to pray.
* Service to others provides a sense of interpersonal connectedness which can
be extremely therapeutic in the treatment of depression.
* Bibliotherapy--reading Deuteronomy 30 and John 14-17 was recommended, as these
selections speak of the closeness of God and promise help for those who have
faith. Any positive and constructive reading matter, offering help and hope,
was also encouraged.
* Visualization--it was recommended to "see" healing occurring during treatments,
whether spinal adjustments or castor oil packs.
SUPPLEMENTARY
TREATMENTS
Supplemental therapies of a more curative nature can be used for specific needs,
as the clinician sees fit, writes McMillin. They include:
* The environment must be conducive to healing when depression is severe. If
the home situation is not appropriate, hospitalization may be required.
* Companion therapy may be helpful in severe cases when the individual is unable
to follow the treatment suggestions and requires supervision. The companion
can be a sympathetic nurse or attendant who models healthy behaviors and exhibits
spiritual qualities such as gentleness, patience, and kindness.
* Suggestive therapeutics may increase cooperation, especially with oppositional
or noncompliant behaviors. This can be professional hypnosis, or informal hypnotic
suggestion during early stages of sleep or while administering other therapies.
* A blood- and nerve-building diet may help individuals suffering from general
debilitation. Some examples given to individuals in the readings are beef
juice, green vegetables, alkaline producing foods, citrus, buttermilk, honey,
etc. Cayce avoided megavitamins or extreme diets.
* The wet cell battery with gold
may be useful for persons who exhibit impairment of awareness--any aspects of
perception, thinking, or memory.
* The violet ray is a high voltage,
low amperage source of static electricity in common use during the 1920's and
1930's. It is particularly helpful in cases of general debilitation, and should
be coordinated with other therapies in cycles of usage--for example, massage
and osteopathic treatments.
* Atomidine (a special water-based
iodine formula given in the Cayce readings) is useful for normalizing glandular
dysfunctions, which may present as disrupted biological cycles and/or abnormal
results on endocrine tests.
* Jerusalem artichoke added to the diet was recommended in several cases to
normalize glandular imbalance and improve assimilations and eliminations.
* Hydrotherapy is indicated for extreme toxemia, to aid in eliminations through
the skin, colon, and respiratory system.
* Spinal manipulation--back pain should always be paid serious attention, as
it is a valuable clue in locating and treating spinal subluxation related to
the depression. Sensory system involvement (disturbed hearing, sight, taste,
or smell) was also noted in many cases, and these require skilled manipulative
therapy.
* Medications--the formulas given in the readings were aimed at restoring the
body's own ability to heal. The readings showed a profound respect for the body's
biochemistry--only when the systems of the body were drastically impaired did
Cayce recommend "outside forces" such as drugs. Lithium was suggested on at
least three occasions, due to its propensity to reduce toxemia by improving
eliminations. The antidepressant effects of this naturally-occurring salt are
well established historically and clinically.
One disadvantage of trying to apply the Cayce recommendations is the shortage
of professional resources available to provide his unique treatment. Most physicians
are not open to the information given in the readings and have significant philosophical
differences in the nature of healing and the role of the physician. In addition,
most osteopaths and chiropractors are not familiar with some of the therapeutic
techniques and principles recommended in the readings which may have been common
50-60 years ago. David McMillin's book, available from the A.R.E. Bookstore
(757-428-3588, ext. 7231), is written for healthcare professionals, and provides
the principles, techniques, and case studies required to provide effective treatment.
There are physicians and therapists within the A.R.E.
community who may be willing to work with these concepts. A list of such practitioners
is available to A.R.E. members. Contact A.R.E. Membership Services at 1-800-333-4499.
Note: The information is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.
Please consult a qualified health care professional for assistance in applying the information.
