Mindfulness

The roots of mindfulness come from ancient Buddhist traditions approximately 2500 years ago (Zhao et al., 2019). In more recent years it has become more well known through western yoga classes, and through Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work as a meditation teacher, author, researcher, and clinician in mind/body medicine. Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as, maintaining awareness of the present moment experience with a non-judgmental attitude of openness and curiosity (Kabat-Zinn, 2003 as cited by Zhao et al., 2019).

While mindfulness was originally introduced as a collaborative treatment with cognitive therapy for depression relapse, it is also utilized in treating recurrent mood disorders including GAD. Both depression and GAD have similarity in symptoms of rumination. Rumination is a common and spontaneous response to induced stress, and increases depressed and anxious affect (Ruscio et al., 2015). Rumination is also associated with social withdrawal, inactivity, and behavioural avoidances (Ruscio et al., 2015). Likewise, comorbid disorders are often found with anxiety disorders and GAD, with 66% of people frequently experiencing major depression (Harrison, 2012). With that said, mindfulness is a highly effective treatment for people with GAD and other chronic mental health issues because it treats multiple conditions.