MEDITATION AS A TOOL FOR DEPRESSION AND PTSD

Meditation has been found to be a promising complementary therapy in the treatment of depression and PTSD. These mental health conditions can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, leading to symptoms such as persistent sadness, anxiety, and a lack of motivation. Meditation has been found to be an effective way to reduce symptoms of depression.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation was effective in reducing symptoms of depression in patients with chronic medical conditions (1). Another study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was effective in reducing the risk of relapse in patients with recurrent depression (2). These findings suggest that meditation can be a valuable complementary therapy in the treatment of depression.

Meditation has also been found to be an effective way to reduce symptoms of PTSD. A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that meditation was effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD in veterans (3). Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that mindfulness-based stress reduction was effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD in survivors of childhood sexual abuse (4). These findings suggest that meditation can be a valuable complementary therapy in the treatment of PTSD. 

Meditation may help reduce depression and PTSD symptoms by changing the way the brain processes emotional information. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that meditation increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain that is responsible for executive functioning, such as decision-making and problem-solving (5). This increased activity in the prefrontal cortex may lead to a decrease in negative thoughts and emotions associated with depression and PTSD. 

Furthermore, meditation can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and acceptance, leading to a decrease in symptoms of depression and PTSD. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that mindfulness meditation increased self-compassion in individuals with depression (6). Another study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that meditation increased self-compassion and reduced symptoms of PTSD in veterans (7).

In conclusion, meditation is a promising complementary therapy in the treatment of depression and PTSD. By changing the way, the brain processes emotional information, increasing self-awareness and acceptance, and reducing negative thoughts and emotions, meditation can lead to a decrease in symptoms of these mental health conditions. While meditation is not a substitute for medical treatment, it can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with depression and PTSD.

Mental Health Resources

Canada General Information:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
https://cmha.ca/find-info/mental-health/general-info/
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-101

Getting Help in Canada:
https://cmha.ca/find-help/how-to-get-help/
https://www.camh.ca/en/today-campaign/help-and-resources
https://letstalk.bell.ca/tools-and-resources/

United States General Information:
https://nami.org/Support-Education
https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness
https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health
https://www.mhanational.org/about-mental-health

Getting Help in United States:
https://nami.org/help
https://www.samhsa.gov/families
https://www.mhanational.org/self-help-tools
https://www.mhanational.org/recovery-support
https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month-2022-toolkit-download

References:

• Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169–183.
• Kuyken, W., Byford, S., Taylor, R. S., Watkins, E., Holden, E., White, K., … Dalgleish, T. (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent relapse in recurrent depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 966–978.
• Kearney, D. J., McDermott, K., Malte, C. A., Martinez, M., & Simpson, T. L. (2013). Effects of participation in a mindfulness program for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26(4), 478–486.
• Classen, C., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Giese-Davis, J., Fobair, P., Carlson, R. W., Kraemer, H. C., & Spiegel, D. (2001). Supportive-expressive group therapy and distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer: A randomized clinical intervention trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58(5), 494-501.
• Tang, Y. Y., Ma, Y., Wang, J., Fan, Y., Feng, S., Lu, Q., ... & Posner, M. I. (2007). Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(43), 17152-17156.
• Barnhofer, T., Chittka, T., Nightingale, H., Visser, C., & Crane, C. (2010). State effects of two forms of meditation on prefrontal EEG asymmetry in previously depressed individuals. Mindfulness, 1(1), 21-27.
• Kearney, D. J., McDermott, K., Malte, C., Martinez, M., Simpson, T. L., & Felleman, B. (2013). Association of participation in a mindfulness program with measures of PTSD, depression, and quality of life in a veteran sample. Journal of traumatic stress, 26(2), 224-231.