Dr. Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family psychotherapist, discusses the unexpected adverse effects of meditation, such as psychosis and depersonalization. She emphasizes the need for caution among practitioners, especially those with mental health challenges. Through her clinical experience, she shares insights on using meditation effectively in therapy, balancing the risks of intensive practices with their potential benefits. The podcast sheds light on the critical role of a strong psychological foundation and supportive environments in meditation journeys.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Clinical Exposure to Meditation
Dr. Caroline recounts her experience as a psychiatry resident, where mindfulness meditation was used for depression and anxiety.
However, patients with psychotic disorders were excluded due to concerns about exacerbating symptoms.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Advice from a Buddhist Guru
Dr. Caroline was advised to learn and practice meditation herself.
She was also encouraged to teach meditation to her patients, adapting practices as needed.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Patient Success Story
A patient with psychotic breakdowns finds meditation helpful for managing fear and distancing from difficult emotions.
She credits meditation with reducing suicidal thoughts and strengthening her Christian faith.
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In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang.
Dr Caroline draws on her extensive clinical experience as a psychiatrist, as well as her personal meditation practice, to explore the adverse effects of meditation, including psychosis, depersonalisation/derealisation, and spiritual bypass.
Dr Caroline considers the pros and cons of sleep deprivation as a spiritual training tool, visualisation practices of Buddhist Vajrayana, and shares stories of extended meditation retreats gone wrong.
Dr Caroline gives recommendations for those who wish to practice intensively, including dangers signs to watch for, the markers of high-risk individuals, and the importance of a a strong psychology and deep foundation in preliminary practice.
Dr Caroline also details her own success in using meditation with her patients in clinical settings, including with populations typically considered to be at high risk, and recounts her patient reports about the significant benefits of their practice.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep183-adverse-effects-of-meditation-dr-caroline-van-damme
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - Adverse effects of meditation
05:13 - Meditation and psychosis
08:42 - Matthieu Ricard’s advice
10:37 - Meditation success with schizophrenia
16:25 - Willoughby Britton’s work on adverse effects
18:39 - Caroline reflects on her own meditation practice
20:52 - Dangers of visualisation meditation
23:04 - Traumatic meditation retreats
27:42 - Modulating intensity and pre-practice warnings
30:57 - Spiritual bypass and tantric Buddhist practice
32:00 - Sleep deprivation as a sign of enlightenment
33:32 - When to push through hell
38:20 - Caroline’s monk patient who developed schizophrenia
41:17 - Sleep deprivation as a training tool
48:30 - Recommendations for those who wish to engage in intense practice
51:53 - The Dalai Lama’s sleep schedule
52:45 - Delusions of special powers
53:58 - Insomnia
55:36 - Cannabis and meditation
57:07 - Profile of a high risk person
57:43 - Enlightenment vs depersonalisation / derealisation
01:02:39 - Dream yoga and derealisation
01:07:50 - Caroline’s clinical experience teaching meditation to her patients
01:20:19 - Mechanism of benefit in meditation
01:24:50 - Impulse control and inner peace
01:29:03 - The stigma of mental illness
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Previous episode with Dr Van Damme:
- www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep143-dr-caroline-van-damme-psychiatry-religious-experience
To find out more about Dr Van Damme, visit:
- https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme …
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com/
Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James
Guru Viking Podcast