Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy with mindfulness-based stress reduction into an 8-session group program. Initially conceived as an intervention for relapse prevention in people with recurrent depression, it has since been applied to various psychiatric conditions. Our paper aims to briefly describe MBCT and its putative mechanisms of action, and to review the current findings about the use of MBCT in people with mood and anxiety disorders. The therapeutic stance of MBCT focuses on encouraging patients to adopt a new way of being and relating to their thoughts and feelings, while placing little emphasis on altering or challenging specific cognitions. Preliminary functional neuroimaging studies are consistent with an account of mindfulness improving emotional regulation by enhancing cortical regulation of limbic circuits and attentional control. Research findings from several randomized controlled trials suggest that MBCT is a useful intervention for relapse prevention in patients with recurrent depression, with efficacy that may be similar to maintenance antidepressants. Preliminary studies indicate MBCT also shows promise in the treatment of active depression, including treatment-resistant depression. Pilot studies have also evaluated MBCT in bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. Patient and clinician resources for further information on mindfulness and MBCT are provided.

Mindful Meditation for Individuals with Asthma and Anxiety: Promising Results from a Multiple Baseline Study

“…Mindfulness may be an obvious choice of treatment for people with anxiety [38,39], given its focus on acceptance and living in the present moment [40]. A recent review of 19 studies using a mindfulnessbased treatment approach for various anxiety disorders found large effect sizes for improvements on both anxiety and depression, and a moderate effect on quality of life [41].…”

“…In addition, mindfulness techniques, including meditation, have been used to increase acceptance and living in the present moment [40], which has resulted in reduced stress and anxiety among children [51], adolescents [52][53][54] and adults [38,43,46,55]. This study sought to explore the potential relationship between mindful meditation and both the symptoms of anxiety and asthma.…”

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Theoretical Background and Use

“…Sesje składają się z ćwiczeń medytacyjnych nakierowanych na rozwinięcie u uczestników uważności, połączonych z technikami poznawczo-behawioralnymi. Zgodnie z definicją twórców metody: "Mindfulness to rodzaj uważności, który powstaje przez celowe kierowanie uwagi na obecny moment oraz obserwowanie bez oceny zdarzeń takimi, jakie są" [7].…”

“…W stanie bycia umysł przyjmuje rzeczywistość taką, jaka jest, bez oceny i próby zmiany. Jest jasne, że stan celowości jest przydatny i pomocny w rozwiązywaniu problemów życia codziennego, ale stosowanie go do wielu aspektów przeżycia wewnętrznego może prowadzić do chronicznego poczucia braku satysfakcji [7].…”

Mindfulness and Psychiatry

“…Dr Walter E B Sipe and Dr Stuart J Eisendrath 10 have provided us with a clinically relevant and accessible introduction for the use of MBCT in people with mood and anxiety disorders. They note that MBCT, first described by Segal et al, 4 was initially conceived as an intervention to prevent relapse in patients with remitted major depression.…”