Meditation Is Effective At Treating Depression
Therapists and others who practice meditation have known for years that meditation is effective at treating depression, but now it is official! It has, of course, been given a special name.
A study, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) was published today in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
The study used a treatment known as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) which uses Buddhist meditation techniques as a basis. The treatment is said to help people focus on the present instead of dwelling on the past or planning the future.
Fifteen months after an eight-week trial, 47 per cent of people with long-term depression who underwent the therapy suffered a relapse, compared to 60 per cent of those taking anti-depressant drugs.
While meditation is undoubtedly helpful for those with depression, it is not something that a patient is likely to be able to do on their own without assistance. Hopefully, this treatment will be available throughout the NHS soon. In the meantime, perhaps creating an awareness of the benefits of meditation throughout the NHS might encourage more people to seek out the many local meditation groups.