StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of the case study "Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression" states that Until quite recently the treatment of choice for depression, and for many other conditions identified as psychiatric illnesses, has been Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.9% of users find it useful
Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression"

Applied Psychology: Mindfulness meditation as a treatment for depression Until quite recently the treatment of choice for depression, and for many other conditions identified as psychiatric illnesses, has been Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Historically, CBT developed from a coming together of two strands of therapy known first separately as Behaviour Therapy, and a later development known as Cognitive Therapy. While CBT is the approved mainstream ‘talking cure’ periodically subjected to experimental validation by the scientific community, there are also drug-induced treatments which are subject to periodic testing for efficacy. It is informative to note that Behaviour Therapy developed at a time when psychology regarded classical and operant conditioning as sufficient mechanisms in explaining human behaviour. Later when psychology took on board the mediation of thought and language (what went on inside the ‘black box’) as important in explaining human behaviour, Cognitive Therapy was born. CBT is approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK. However, since no one therapy (including medication) has been proved to be universally beneficial for all patients, the field of counselling and therapy is replete with many alternatives such as psychoanalysis, Gestalt Therapy, and other humanistic therapies. These are not seen as ‘scientific’, objective, and amenable to quantitative research. Increasingly, with the passage of time, it appears that ‘mind’ a concept that had been totally alien to ‘scientific’, positivistic psychology, was beginning to be accepted, at least in the form of neural activity in the brain underpinning all mental schemata as the basis of behaviour. From here, it has been quite a jump to accept ‘mindfulness meditation’, borrowed from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions practised as a religious observance for more than 2500 years as a means of reaching enlightenment. So, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), may be seen as an innovation in therapy through an attempt at a fusion between two widely divergent fields of human endeavour separated not only by time of origin but by distinctiveness of culture as well . Even so, over the last two decades MBCT appears to have proved efficacious in treating persistent or recurring depression in psychiatric patients (Teasdale et al 2000). Meditation in mindfulness is the cultivation of awareness of the activity of one’s consciousness from moment to moment. When one is able to accomplish this, it can stop one being trapped in constant ruminations and automatisms in thinking and mood. This is best achieved by concentrating on one’s breathing (in and out) without attempting to control the flow of thoughts. Alternatively one can scan one’s bodily sensations from head to toe. For those who are able to distance themselves from their daily stream of thoughts and sensations, the reward is perfect bliss. ‘Sadhus’ have been known to remain seated in the lotus position for months, if not years. Where the use of mindfulness meditation differs in its use in therapy, is that the object of the exercise is to monitor and stop the stream of negative thoughts by enabling the patient to realise that such thoughts and the resulting negative mood or depression are not inevitable. There is no religious or transcendental objective beyond the capacity for healthy everyday living by the patient who has reduced the odds of being caught again in a spiral of depressive rumination through mindfulness meditation. Originally developed by Prof. Jon Kabat-Zinn of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in 1979, it was an 8-week programme designed for stress reduction. ‘Research shows that MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) is enormously empowering for patients with chronic pain, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as for psychological problems such as anxiety and panic.’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_Cognitive_Therapy ). Several studies have been undertaken which led to the conclusion that MBCT was most effective in the treatment of patients who had suffered three or more episodes of depression in the past, although ‘mindfulness training may affect processes common to different pathologies’ (Teasdale et al 2003; Baer 2003; Bishop 2002; Grossman et al 2004). What are the mediating variables or mechanisms that are at work in mindfulness meditation which ameliorate these ‘different pathologies’? One of the hypothesised mechanisms is the concept of ‘defusion’ (Hayes et al 1999) where patients learn to distance themselves from the stream of recurring negative thoughts without attempting to change the thoughts themselves. Mindfulness allows the patient to observe or witness the mental activity moment by moment, thereby creating a space between the culturally constructed inner commentary and grasp the insight that another, completely different self, or selves, is a possibility. A stable self that one identified oneself with in the past is no longer seen as inevitable. Teasdale, J.D., Moore. R.G., Hayhurst, H., Pope, M. Williams, S. & Segal, Z.V. (2002) developed the Differential Activation Hypothesis (DAH) to account for mediating mechanisms in MBCT treatment. In studying patients with a history of relapses into depression, they found that often transient negative moods led to negative thought patterns which spiral into full-blown depressive episodes. Taught to practise mindfulness meditation, these patients learned to become aware and identify early, their transient negative moods which, for them, automatically led to negative thoughts culminating in a relapse. Mindfulness to these patients meant an act of ‘decentering’ that helped to prevent the automatism connected with the downward spiral towards a relapse. Patients learn to become aware of their thought processes and to disengage from ruminating through acceptance of them as mere thoughts and not needing to identify themselves totally with the thought patterns. In a more recent article by Shapiro, S.L, Carlson, L.E., Astin, J.A. & Freedman, B. (2006) entitled ‘Mechanisms of Mindfulness’ a new theory is proposed which addresses what are seen as limitations of the ‘defusion’ and ‘decentering’ hypotheses discussed above. While acknowledging the validity and usefulness of the earlier described mechanisms, Shapiro et al say that a ‘testable theory of the mechanisms involved in the process of mindfulness itself is needed to explicate whether and how mindfulness affects change and transformation’ (op cit., emphasis in the original). They credit some of the early researchers into mindfulness with having developed ‘valid and reliable measures of mindfulness’ (Baer, 2003, Bishop, 2002, Brown & Ryan 2003). A definition of mindfulness is – ‘paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally’ (Kabat-Zinn 1994). Using this definition Shapiro et al have identified three axioms of mindfulness. 1. “On purpose” or intention, 2. “Paying attention” or attention, 3. “In a particular way” or attitude (mindfulness qualities). ‘Intention, attention and attitude (IAA) are not separate processes or stages – they are interwoven aspects of a single cyclic process and occur simultaneously. Mindfulness is this moment-to-moment process (Shapiro et al 2006, emphases in the original). Intention, according to Shapiro et al is at the heart of mindfulness meditation. This aspect of meditation is often lost in adapting it to therapeutic purposes. Enlightenment or self-liberation was the original goal or intention of religious practitioners of mindfulness meditation. In therapy, self-exploration and self-regulation must be seen as goals that are dynamic and evolving and equally valid for both the patient and the therapist. Without a clear early identification of intention mindfulness meditation is in danger of drifting into aimlessness. Attention is the second component of mindfulness meditation. ‘In the context of mindfulness practice, paying attention involves observing the operations of one’s moment-to-moment, internal and external experience … At the core of mindfulness, is this practice of paying attention’ (op. cit.). Attention is common to most therapeutic practices. For example in Fritz Perls’ Gestalt therapy, awareness of the present moment and attention to it is said to be ‘curative’ in itself. CBT also stresses the importance of attending to (observing) internal and external stimuli. Attitude is explained as the qualities one brings to mindfulness meditation. It is not a cold and abstract intellectual exercise, but a warm and engaged openhearted activity. The attitude is one of affectionate, compassionate involvement. ‘… attending without bringing the heart qualities into the practice may result in (a) practice that is condemning or judgmental of inner experience. Such an approach may well have consequences contrary to the intentions of the practice. For example, cultivating the patterns of judgment and striving instead of equanimity and acceptance’ (op. cit.). Having set down the three essential axioms or building blocks for the theory they propose, Shapiro et al go on to postulate ‘a model of the potential mechanisms of mindfulness, which suggest that intentionally (I) attending (A) with openness and non-judgmentalness (A) leads to a significant shift in perspective which we have termed reperceiving’ (op. cit.). This involves a disidentification from the contents of consciousness (thoughts) and cultivating an ability to stand back and witness the never ending drama of our unfolding individual life story. Concepts already employed by western psychology which are similar to reperceiving are: ‘decentering’, deautomatization and ‘detachment’. All these concepts share at their core a fundamental shift in perspective. This shift … is facilitated through mindfulness—the process of intentionally attending moment by moment with openness and nonjudgmentalness (IAA) (op.cit. emphasis in the original) Shapiro et al further discuss statistical models that could be employed to test their theory. They are careful to underline the fact that research into mindfulness is ‘still in its infancy and requires great sensitivity and a range of theoretical and methodological’ approaches ‘to illuminate the richness and complexity of this phenomenon’ (op. cit.). The strengths in the exploration of postulated mechanisms in mindfulness meditation are that they are conducted by practitioners who appear to build on the scholarly and scientific investigations of others in the forefront of MBCT therapeutic practice. They seek to aim at a consensus. The weaknesses stem from the fact that positivistic scientific hypothesis testing requires the isolation of a few variables and crude statistical analyses to examine very complex phenomena not necessarily amenable to scientific exploration. Every encounter between therapist and client is a unique one where by the very nature of the context, an objective generalisable theory can only be a falsifiable approximation. (c. 1660 words) References Bael, R.A. (2003) Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 125-143 Bishop, S.R. (2002) What do we really know about mindfulness-based stress reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine. 64, 71-83 Brown, K.W. & Ryan, R.M. (2003) The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 84 (4) 822-848 Grosman, P., Niemann, L., Schmidt. S., & Walach, H. (2004) Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 57 35-43 Hayes, S.C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K.G. (1999) Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behaviour change. New York, Guildford. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994) Wherever you go there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York, Hyperion. Shapiro, S.L., Carlson, L.E., Astin, J.A. & Freedman, B. (2006) Mechanisms of Mindfulness. Wiley Periodicals, Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com ) Teasdale, J.D., Segal, Z.V., Williams, J.M.G., Ridgeway,V.A., Soulsby, J.M., & Lau, M.A. (2000) Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of consulting and clinical Psychology. 68, 615-623. Teasdale J.D., More, R.G., Hayhurst, H., Pope, M., Williams, S., & Segal, Z.V. (2002) Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of consulting and Clinical Psychology. 70, 275-287. Teasdale, J.D., Segal, Z.V., & Williams, M.G. (2003) Mindfulness Training and Problem formulation. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 10, (2) 157-160. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression Case Study, n.d.)
Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression Case Study. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1545810-applied-psychology-mindfulness-meditation-as-a-treatment-for-depression
(Mindfulness Meditation As a Treatment for Depression Case Study)
Mindfulness Meditation As a Treatment for Depression Case Study. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1545810-applied-psychology-mindfulness-meditation-as-a-treatment-for-depression.
“Mindfulness Meditation As a Treatment for Depression Case Study”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1545810-applied-psychology-mindfulness-meditation-as-a-treatment-for-depression.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Mindfulness Meditation as a Treatment for Depression

Theories of the Development of Clinical Depression

The work of Bandura, Ellis, Freud, Beck and others has resulted in a number of hypotheses for depression, and consequently, to treatment measures that would prove effective with individuals coping with depression (Barlow, 2005).... Psychology Disorders Clinical depression: A Review of Treatment Alternatives ?... Clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder is one of the more prevalent of mental illnesses, with approximately 20 – 25% of the population experiencing some symptoms of depression as some point in their lives (Barlow, 2005)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Mindfulness Therapy for Treating Impulsive Behavior

Studies have also found that negative personality traits such as depression and negative emotions increase substance use risk.... The paper "Mindfulness Therapy for Treating Impulsive Behavior" discusses that mindfulness-based treatment is therefore perceived as an effective method for redirecting attention, sensations, thoughts and feelings in the present as a means of reducing and preventing cravings for illicit substances.... here is evidence in the literature that mindfulness-based treatment can help substance abusers cope with cravings and prevent relapse....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Teaching Self-Care for Counselors through Mindfulness Practices

Anxiety, stress, burnout and depression are the main disorders typical for counselors.... hellip; mindfulness practices involving yoga, meditations, conscious relaxation exercises, allow counselors to reduce amount of stress and relax.... The aim of the research is to analyze and evaluate most popular mindfulness practices and their application in teaching self-care.... The practical significance is that counseling work calls for a primary focus on reality external to oneself, and mindfulness practices allow individuals to relief stress and emotional burden....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Mindfulness Approach

Various negative attributes in a human mind like that of stress, anxiety, depression, mental disorders, and health related problems like cancer are alleviated to some extent, when treated with the mindfulness theory, that apply yoga and Buddhist traditional approaches used for the alleviation of distress.... It will also evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention on various health disorders like anxiety, cancer, and depression and will establish the effectiveness of this procedure when applied for psychological well being....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

A Strategic Orientation: Mindfulness and Meditation

Basically, the aspect of mindfulness involves four… Firstly, mindfulness advocates for curiosity.... Thirdly, mindfulness is characterized with acceptance (Baer 130).... Finally, mindfulness is characterized by love.... According to Baer, mindfulness involves remaining non-judgmental.... Further, mindfulness should be present-oriented.... Baer further notes the need of mindfulness to involve capacity for self observation, a property that is essential in alleviating over-reliance on secondary data sources....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Treatment Alternatives of Clinical Depression

The work of Bandura, Ellis, Freud, Beck, and others has resulted in a number of hypotheses for depression, and consequently, to treatment measures that would prove effective with individuals coping with depression (Barlow, 2005).... The paper "Treatment Alternatives of Clinical depression" discuses that some people may not respond to SSRI's, and other medication may be more effective with them, while others may not be ideal candidates for CBT, and REBT or Interpersonal Psychotherapy....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Understanding Mindfulness

It also has a robust evidence foundation in chronic pain treatment, anxiety treatment, and depression treatment.... The author outlines its historical context, developments in both physical and psychological symptoms in addition to positive modifications in health attitudes and behaviors, meditation, and other practices that foster mindfulness.... In a period of time when doctors and other mental health facilitators are experiencing stress in trying to treat substantial problems in too-brief time slots, meditation could aid them to become better at being attentive to their patients and remaining current with their discomfort, instead of hastening to prescribe medication or offer a platitude to assuage our own discomfort....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

How Effective is Yoga in Reducing the Symptoms of Depression in Middle-Aged Adults

"How Effective is Yoga in Reducing the Symptoms of depression in Middle-Aged Adults" paper describes the methodology used in finding the journal articles used in the research followed by a detailed analysis of the findings of the studies.... hellip; The paper "How Effective is Yoga in Reducing the Symptoms of depression in Middle-Aged Adults?... nbsp;depression is a common mental health problem globally.... depression is also the leading cause of disability in middle-aged adults below 45 years of age....
8 Pages (2000 words) Literature review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us