For people who suffer from depression, the feelings of despair can be so extreme and debilitating that they can make even the most routine activities of daily life a challenge. Now, however, researchers believe that Transcendental Meditation, or TM, may help to reduce the symptoms and negative consequences of depression.

In two recent studies, scientists followed volunteers who were 55 years or older and were at risk for cardiovascular disease. The subjects were assigned to either a TM regimen or a health educational program (control group). Baseline emotional states were determined by way of standard depression tests.

What researchers found was that, when compared with the health education group, the TM groups experienced clinically relevant declines in symptoms of depression, which in turn can have a positive influence on a person’s overall mental health. This, in turn, can potentially lower their risk of heart disease over time. Interestingly, the group that experienced the biggest impact from TM were those subjects that displayed clinically significant signs of depression. These individuals had an average reduction in depression by as much as 48%.

The findings represent further support of the healthful potential that TM might have in treating and preventing depression, which might eventually be an integral part of therapeutic intervention. The appeal of TM lies in the fact that it does not involve the use of drugs and medication and is relatively easy to adhere to.

In the two studies in question, doctors observed both African-American and Native Hawaiian volunteers whose health status included risk factors that may have predisposed them to heart disease. Depression was measured at the start of the study (baseline), after 3 months, and after 9-12 months. The choice of subjects was based on the fact that both African Americans and Native Hawaiians suffer from higher rates cardiovascular disease (1.5 times greater and 2 to 4 times greater, respectively) than Caucasians.

The results are particularly relevant in light of the fact that nearly 18 million men and women in this country suffer from depression, resulting in an estimated $83 billion in medical and workplace costs. It has an especially significant effect on elderly Americans, with approximately 20% reporting that they suffer from the disorder.

Depression is also a major risk factor for heart disease, and even low levels of can be contributing factors. Studies have indicated that depression is more debilitating than arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, and can impair social functioning than all chronic medical conditions. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the medical profession has a difficult time recognizing and identifying the problem. By some estimates, nearly 50% of patients suffering from depression go undiagnosed.

If you suspect that you are someone you know is suffering from depression, seek out help as soon as possible. For more information about depression, visit the website for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

For more information about TM, visit Transcendental Meditation website at TM.org.

This post was included in Be The Change's Honorable Mention, Volume 4.