fotogneric
fotogneric OP t1_ivp93p6 wrote
Reply to New study (n=276) finds that a standardized mindfulness program is as effective as a common antidepressant (Escitalopram) at treating anxiety, with both treatments leading to about a 30% reduction in symptoms. by fotogneric
"The researchers used an assessment measure to rate the severity of symptoms of anxiety across all of the disorders on a scale of 1 to 7 (with 7 being severe anxiety).
Participants in the MBSR program experienced an average 1.35-point reduction in their anxiety symptoms, while patients who had been assigned to the antidepressant experienced a 1.43-point average reduction. Though the antidepressant reduction was slightly higher, it was not statistically significant.
The average scores of both groups dropped from about 4.5 to 3.1, which translates to a significant 30% or so drop in the severity of peoples’ anxiety."
fotogneric OP t1_ivphzxv wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in New study (n=276) finds that a standardized mindfulness program is as effective as a common antidepressant (Escitalopram) at treating anxiety, with both treatments leading to about a 30% reduction in symptoms. by fotogneric
And in this case that "something" is kind of a lot: one 2.5 hour in-person class per week, a day-long retreat, and daily 45-minute home practice exercises. Still worth it in some case though I'm sure, especially considering the well-known side effects of antidepressants. I don't know whether mindfulness has any negative side effects, though I could imagine how it might be linked to rumination (me me me, my thoughts, my world, for an hour at a time).