This Could Work Better than Antidepressants

This Could Work Better than Antidepressants

A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health(CAMH) in Toronto, Canada, has found that mindfulness-basedcognitive therapy -- using meditation -- could provide the sameprotection against "depressive relapse" as traditionalantidepressants.

A depressive relapse is when a person slips back into a bad caseof depression. Major depression is a recurring disorder, sotreatment options are important for people to prevent it fromreturning to their lives.

The study is published in the new "Archives of GeneralPsychiatry." It compared the effectiveness of drugs withmindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). It studied peoplewho were initially treated with an antidepressant and then eitherstopped taking the medication in order to receive MBCT orcontinued taking medication for 18 months.

Researchers have found that many depressed patients stop takingantidepressants too soon, because of side effects or a simpleunwillingness to be on drugs for years on end. MBCT, on theother hand, is a non-drug approach that teaches some importantskills. Those revolve around regulating emotion yourself, sopatients can monitor possible relapse triggers as well as altertheir lifestyle to sustain their mood balance.

All those in the study had major depressive disorder and all hadused antidepressants until their symptoms remitted. Then theyreceived MBCT exclusively, received a placebo exclusively, orstayed on their medication.

Participants in MBCT attended eight weekly group sessions andpracticed mindfulness as part of daily homework assignments.Researchers assessed their progress at regular intervals. Theyfound that, over an 18-month period, relapse rates for patients inthe MBCT group did not differ from patients receivingantidepressants. Both groups turned out to be in the 30% rangeof relapse. Those on placebo, however, relapsed at asignificantly higher rate -- 70%.

What they found, the experts say, directly link to the frontlinetreatment of depression. For the large group of patients who areunwilling or unable to tolerate antidepressants to maintain theirmood, MBCT offers equal protection from relapse. It is apossibly invaluable tool to learn and help keep depression in theshadows and not blindingly disrupting your life. After all,meditation is in the mind, and so is depression.

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