Summary
Mindfulness refers to the psychological state of awareness that promotes characterological trait as well as information mode processing. It is the moment-to-moment awareness of a person’s experience without judging the person. According to Davin (2019), references to treatments based on mindfulness have proliferated in the last two decades. The benefits of mindfulness are hyped for many medical conditions. The benefits have been accepted globally as a mental health improving technique. The practice can be a powerful tool for both medical providers and patients. According to Davin (2019), ten to fifteen minutes of mindfulness-based meditation improves neural processing that mediates attentional core processes. The practice has been shown to increase the activation of the left-sided anterior brain as well as reducing the concentration of inflammatory cytokines’ AUC. It also changes the concentration of grey matter within the left hippocampus.
Benefits of mindfulness
Enhancing quality of life as well as reducing stress for the people with prostate and breast cancer
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Preventing depression relapse
Reducing psoriasis effects
Increasing wellbeing
Reducing obsessive-compulsive disorder’s symptoms
Reducing chronic pain symptoms
Increasing a sense of spirituality and empathy
Reducing anxiety symptoms
Risks of mindfulness
It may be challenging to set aside time as well as space to do the practice
The co-workers, friends and family of the person doing mindfulness may be uncomfortable with the resulting change patterns of reactivity
The person may be challenged and find himself or herself facing the unknown
A person can also make discoveries about himself/herself that he/she does not like
Feelings of fear, anger as well as sadness could seem stronger initially as the person could be consciously paying attention for the first time.
Evidence analysis
According to Davin (2019), more than twenty randomized controlled trials were reviewed in 2011 on the effectivity of mindfulness in improving mental health. The results of the review demonstrated that mindfulness reduced the risk relapse from depression as well as the general improvement in mental health. There is also substantial evidence showing that mindfulness is effective against post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other anxiety disorders. According to Davin (2019), randomized, controlled trials have been conducted to assess the effectivity of mindfulness against insomnia. Results from the trials showed that mindfulness-based interventions reduced the Insomnia Severity Index.
Symptoms and Diagnoses for the Technique
According to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2009), mindfulness-based therapy is recommended in preventing relapse during training for recurrent depression. According to Ackerman (2017), some of the symptoms that would be most appropriate for this technique include migraines and headache; grinding teeth and clenching jaw muscles, difficulty while concentrating, feeling uninspired and flat, self-critical, frenetic and restless mind, waking up feeling tired, low level of energy, restless sleeping being defensive and argumentative with family and friends. Other symptoms include feeling easily annoyed, agitated, irritable, worried as well as anxious. According to Strauss, Cavanagh, Oliver & Pettman (2014), mindfulness is most appropriate for those people diagnosed with a current episode of depressive disorder or anxiety. For those people suffering from recurrent depression, mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing the risk of depressive relapse. Mindfulness-based stress management is effective for most women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Patient Teaching/Education
Mindfulness-based therapy has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as one of the effective ways of preventing relapse in recurrent depression. The patient should be shown how to combine stretching, breathing and meditation. The patient can learn on these practices through audio and books and learn through self-directed practice at home. In my future practice, mindfulness will be important in reducing the risk relapse from depression. I will also apply it in general improvement in mental health, managing post-traumatic stress disorder as well as other anxiety disorders. I would also recommend the practice to a patient bearing in mind the supporting evidence showing the importance of mindfulness in addressing psychiatric cases.
Challenges Associated with the Technique
The first challenge is finding time to engage in the practice because, like any other daily habit, one must plan a time to make the practice fit in the daily schedule. The second challenge is staying awake during meditation. Staying awake during practice can be challenging. Most people fall asleep, including a Buddhist monk. The third challenge is keeping interested, as most people usually feel sleepy. External distractions can also hinder effective mindfulness. These distractions are very annoying, especially to a beginner. Other people become uncomfortable for lying or sitting still for long hours. However, discomfort is one of the great ways of learning mindfulness. Mindfulness is about approaching difficulties and accepting them. Since mindfulness is a powerful way of dealing with emotions, the intense emotions that may have been suppressed may become more noticeable. Mindfulness shines a light as well as bring to the surface the present moment experience hence making it difficult to raise the emotions.
References
Ackerman, C. (2017). 23 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness for Body and Brain. Retrieved 13 September 2019, from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-mindfulness/
Davin, S. (2019). Evidence-based Mindfulness: What Science Tells Us About Mindfulness Meditation and Its Benefits. Retrieved 13 September 2019, from https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/evidence-based-mindfulness-what-science-tells-us-about-mindfulness-meditation-and-its-benefits/
National Institute for Clinical Excellence. (2009). Depression in adults: Recognition and management. Clinical guideline [CG90].
Strauss, C., Cavanagh, K., Oliver, A., & Pettman, D. (2014). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for People Diagnosed with a Current Episode of an Anxiety or Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Plos ONE , 9 (4), e96110. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096110
