Depression Waxes & Wanes

I took my first T’ai Chi Chih class in 2007, and a follow up one in 2008. My chiropractor and I found that TCC really helped with the terrible arthritis in my neck and back. In December 2009, I suffered a terrible loss when my 94-year-old mother suffered a stroke and died. (I always thought she would live to be 100, and her death threw me into a deep, horrible depression.) I stopped doing my TCC and just about everything else. The depression paralyzed me emotionally to the point where some days I couldn’t even get dressed and leave the house. Even medication didn’t help that well. 

Fast forward to three weeks ago: my pain was so bad I was beside myself. I took multiple prescription pain relievers with little or no relief. I decided to try my TCC. What did I have to lose? Unless I was having a really poor mental health day, I started practicing my TCC again on a regular basis. About 15 minutes of movement was all it took and the pain was ninety-percent gone; my back and neck are now in good shape.

Finally, during a very depressed day recently, I forced myself to do my TCC practice. Surprisingly, I felt better mentally. It didn’t last, but I did experience some relief. I have to say that TCC is a really valuable part of my life, and I will continue practicing.