Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy For Depression
In this article, we are going to talk about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Depression is darkness, restraint, despair and sadness. There are many adjectives used to define it. Either way, its effects are devastating.
Clinical or severe depression results in a persistent depressed mood or disinterest. Sleep disturbances, decreased appetite and decreased concentration are other symptoms of this condition.
The statistics showing how many people suffer from depression are worrisome. It is one of the most common mental disorders. 17% of the population has had depression in the past six months.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression will be the second most common illness in the world by 2020. Its treatment thus poses a mental health challenge.
Treating Depression
In the late 1980s, there were several ways to combat depression. Antidepressants became the first drug for clinical depression. Psychological treatments also became popular. Behavioral therapy emphasized the need to engage in fun activities as an individual.
Cognitive therapy was also used. This had the goal of changing the way our thoughts contribute to the onset of depressive symptoms. Finally, interpersonal therapy confirmed that we had to learn to resolve interpersonal disputes.
With all these available treatments, you would think that the problem of depression would already be solved. However, as we know this is not the case.
relapse
Unfortunately, while depression therapies were effective, research revealed another problem. A significant number of people who relapse.
That is precisely why some believe that depression is a chronic, lifelong condition. The risk of recurrent episodes is about 80%. Patients experience an average of 4 depressive episodes lasting more than 20 weeks.
Recurrences after successful treatment are common and have debilitating results. This is the real problem we face today. To address this, mental health professionals pushed for cognitive therapy. Most patients who tried it had less severe relapses.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression
Mindfulness should be part of the psychological treatment of depression. What does this mean now? This means paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It is remarkable what can happen when our thoughts are perceived only as thoughts and not as “reality.”
The simple act of recognizing our thoughts as thoughts can keep us from distorting our reality. This provides more clarity. It is also going to give us a greater sense of control over our lives.
The key is to let go of repetitive thoughts
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a great way to overcome mental problems. These states are characterized by self-perpetuating patterns of negative thinking and rumination. Thus, this type of therapy can help treat depression.
If we don’t pay attention to these patterns , we will likely experience a downward spiral in our mood. We may also have a relapse. Being aware of the present is therefore an important basic tool for changing mental processes.
By choosing what we focus on and how we focus on it, we can help change our mindset. When can you put this new skill into practice? In principle, this exercise can be used in all situations.
Mindfulness is a fundamental ability
Mindfulness is a fundamental skill for this form of therapy. It implies paying attention to the present in a certain way, with a purpose and without judgment.
Awareness of your thought patterns, emotions, and bodily sensations is an essential first step. Full consciousness provides the tools to help us change our mental patterns.
The structure of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression lasts 8 sessions. The goal is for patients to learn to pay attention to each moment with purpose and without judgment. The aim of the first therapy sessions is therefore to learn to pay attention.
Patients become aware that they are not really paying attention to what is going on in their daily lives. They learn to become aware of how quickly the mind moves from one subject to another.
First they realize their mind is wandering. Then they learn to bring it back and focus on one element. This is taught first with regard to body parts. Next, attention is paid to breathing.
Finally, patients learn to be aware of how their wandering mind can take over negative thoughts and emotions. Addressing mood swings in the moment or facing them later is the second phase of this therapy.
As we have seen, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be really effective for treating depressive states. Thanks to this therapy, patients learn to identify, accept and eventually let go of their negative thoughts.
