The mindful way through depression: Zindel Segal at TEDxUTSC

Meditation and Mindfulness training are what finally gave me the tools to help overcome the episodic depression/mania that I suffered from. I still have mild depression, but thanks to the coping skills I have learned, I am no longer suicidal.

Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy is what treated my depression most successfully

I just wanted to say, that I am very grateful for your work and this video. I've had many episodes of high functioning depression and I am currently expierencing one. I went for a walk with a stroller, had to really make myself to go, because it's good for me... I remembered mindfulness, which I am familiar with and searched on youtube for "mindfulness depression" thinking maybe I'll meditate while walking. And as I was listening to this video and tried the test with different views of your legs - thinking about them or just percieving them mindfully... I was suddenly able to see my self-negative talk from a mindful point of view. And I've tried mindfulness many times before, but this time was special. As I said - I saw my negative thoughts. I saw how I feel ashamed of myself. How I look down on myself. How I'm scared of loneliness and how I feel like useless abomination. And suddendly...big wave of compassion and ...empathy towards myself washed over me. I saw how I suffer from distance. And I felt sorry for me. And comforted me. And accepted, that this way of thinking is just a part of me and saw it in a different light. It went even further...I always try to suppress and eliminate this "negative me", so that only the "positive me" will stay. I can be very lovable, see the world as a happy place full of opportunities and myself as a wonderful human being. Sometimes. And sometimes the "negative me" takes over. And I resent it. After this walk... I've realized, that I cannot get rid of it. That I need to befriend it and appreciate it the same way as the positive me. And something inside myself felt very relieved and glad and I felt I dare to say...peaceful inside. Furthermore...that it's exactly this sensitive, critical and emotional "negative me" is the reason, that the "positive me" even exists. Without the dark, there won't be light. I can sometimes enjoy the little things so much, because I've had many days of little sufferings. I can comfort people around me and be kind, because I know how it feels, when you need it. Etc... This mindful point of view freed me from today's negative self-talk LOOP, which I was inside. And I guess it is the point. And accepting yourself with compassion. Thank you, hopefully someone with depression would find some comfort and inspiration in my story as I do often reading other peoples' expierences. I wish the author of the TED talk best luck in his life and work life. I hope that anyone who needs it will find comfort TODAY. Try mindfulness. <3

From my experience as a mindfulness therapist, the most important changes begin when you make friends with your depression rather than trying to suppress it. The best way to do this is through mindfulness training.

Excellent talk. Buddhism has been sharing this for over 2,500 years!

I have depression since I was in junior high school, and when I was in senior high school, I came across a book about this kind of mindfulness and how to deal with life. It really helped me back then, except, as soon I plunged into college, I kind of forgot how to deal with life, and I fell into deep depression again. I'm glad I finally come across this video, it reminds me again the mindfulness that I used to have back then. I'm going to practice it again. For my own good.

I like this talk. Scientific, unbiased, grounded in evidence. No wishy washy information. Well done.

A quarter of a century living with clinical depression, going to therapy for years and taking medication, all with bland results, hearing this talk makes me hopeful.

Mindfulness involves giving up the need to change or strive for anything emotionally , physically or psychologically. Out  of this non-striving we can allow ourselves to be fully present in our moment thus allowing it to be exactly as it is. It is natural for our minds to wonder so to simply call our thoughts back to just being, not striving allows us to accept not changing anything, but just experience what is occurring. Mindfulness will NOT feel natural at first, but through practice will allow a more peaceful existence to occur.   

MBCT is such a powerful therapeutic tool. So well grounded in science. As a therapist for over 30 years, I find it more effective than anything else I have utilized with clients. Zindel Segal has such a wonderful way of sharing the information that he cultivated with Mark Williams and John Teasdale.

one of the most life halting and debilitating condtions. My deepest compassion and prayers for IMMEDIATE MIRACLES, for our fellows who are beset.

My kid is benefiting from a mindfulness program currently. They are dealing with the same depression that I fought with as a teen and I wish that I had these tools back then. Going through a mindfulness program with my teen has been also teaching my wife and I some very valuable tools that help not just our teen but our family as a whole. So grateful.

Mindfulness cured me of my depression

This talk is really steep to a person who has never heard it before, also, it's difficult to a person dealing with depression since the brain sometimes slows way down in it's ability to absorb and interpret. Nevertheless, this is good information that can introduce a sufferer to a meaningful way of managing depression. Having experienced 25+ years of psychotherapy, I can attest to the quality of this video. This person is on the right track. Sometimes, hopelessness is born out of not having a path to follow. In-depth study of this video, viewing it numerous times until it is grasped is recommended.

Mindful meditation helped me a lot(a lot) to change my negative states of mind......I wish,more and more people would practice mindful meditation.........

Zindel! Such a great researcher, teacher, and human being.

This is really tough to do when the hallmarks of depression are rumination, regret, shame, and anxiety.

what is wrong with the volume on this vid?

A brilliant guy who contributed significantly to early mindfulness research as it relates to mood... one of my heroes.

Mindfulness changes lives. Amazing!