Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) more effective than antidepressants

By on December 1, 2008 in Depression | 6 comments

tibetan bowlEach week, it seems, more and more evidence pours in demonstrating the effectiveness of non-drug treatments for depression.

In a study, published December 1, 2008 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, MBCT proved as effective as maintenance anti-depressants in preventing a relapse and more effective in enhancing peoples’ quality of life. The study also showed MBCT to be as cost-effective as prescription drugs in helping people with a history of depression stay well in the longer-term.

Over the 15 months after the trial, 47% of the group following the MBCT course experienced a relapse compared with 60% of those continuing their normal treatment, including anti-depressant drugs. In addition, the group on the MBCT programme reported a higher quality of life, in terms of their overall enjoyment of daily living and physical well-being.

MBCT was developed by a team of psychologists from Toronto (Zindel Segal), Oxford (Mark Williams) and Cambridge (John Teasdale) in 2002 to help people who suffer repeated bouts of depression. It focuses on targeting negative thinking and aims to help people who are very vulnerable to recurring depression stop depressed moods from spiralling out of control into a full episode of depression.

Click here to read the full article.

Chris Kresser

Like what you see? Join more than 30,000
others and subscribe for email updates.

I hate spam too. Your email is safe with me.

Personal Paleo Code icon

Not a diet for everyone.
A diet for you!

Discover your own ideal diet & end confusion about what to eat forever.

Learn More
healthy Baby Code icon

Have the healthy baby you've always dreamed of.

Boost fertility naturally & promote lifelong health for you & your baby.

Learn More
Personal Paleo Launchpad icon

Personal Paleo Launchpad

Personalized online portal with easy-to-use tools, expert advice, and the support of a passionate, intelligent community.

Learn More
Paleologix icon

Paleologix Paleo Support System

Break through the energy swings, digestive upset, and obstacles of adopting a Paleo diet.

Learn More

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Liz December 1, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Hello, This comment is regarding an older post about Vitamin K2. I am curious if there is a particular supplement that you would recommend? Have you tried Natto? Not sure it would work for me. :) Thanks, Liz

Reply

Gianna December 2, 2008 at 12:14 pm

are you familiar with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? (ACT)

it too is mindfulness based and I’m finding people respond to it very well.

Reply

Gianna December 2, 2008 at 12:15 pm

oh and I should say it addressed anxiety too…it’s completely changed the life of someone I know who was agoraphobic…

the text books are much better, in my opinion, than the workbooks for anyone who has studied psychology at all.

Reply

Chris December 2, 2008 at 1:57 pm

@Gianna:

No, I’m not familiar with it. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!

Chris

Reply

Breville800JEXL October 5, 2010 at 6:34 am

I don’t believe in pills. Some people seem to think it can fix anything these days. I have a copy of a book on mindfulness based CBT by my bed that I just started reading, so this is good news.

Reply

Chris December 1, 2008 at 7:44 pm

I always recommend obtaining necessary nutrients from food if possible. Vitamin K2, MK-4 is only found in animal products. The best source is grass-fed butter from cows eating rapidly growing grass. K2 tends to associate with beta-carotene in butter, so the darker the color, the more K2 it contains (also, the better it tastes). Fish eggs, other grass-fed dairy, shellfish, insects and other organ meats are also good sources. Chris Masterjohn compiled a list of food sources in his excellent article on the Weston Price foundation website.

If you can’t locate butter from grass-fed cows, or it is winter (like now), I suggest taking a high-vitamin butter oil supplement. This will be rich in K2.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post:

Designed by Evan Haas & Soy Pak