(1 in 4 according to the Mental Health Foundation http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/)
Anxiety and depression seem particularly prevalent. I work in many ways to assist with the person as Shiatsu assists the whole person not just symptoms. But our work together (often along side other interventions) seems to have really positive effects.
The common thread of my work is bringing people into their bodies, in a positive way. With appropriate touch the client reconnects, with an aspect of themselves that often gets lost in these situations.
During episodes of mental ill health it's common for people to live inside their heads. It's easy to start to believe the thoughts we have, and then often a spiral of negative feelings, driven by negative thoughts happens. It's common for these negative thoughts to be based on the past or the future but seldom if ever in the now. 'I should be', 'this shouldn't have happened', 'If only I could'
The body is always in the present always in the now and it seems that the more time we spend in 'now' the better. I'm not saying we don't need to reflect or plan, but if we can keep some part of us present when we do, we can do this with greater skill and less harm.
At the beginning of having treatments the session is like a holiday from the dominance of mental and emotional activity.
As the sessions continue the client can learn to take the perspective that the holiday gives into the rest of their lives.
As the sessions continue the client can learn to take the perspective that the holiday gives into the rest of their lives.
