Meditate Don’t Medicate For Anxiety

Anxiety is a term we feel we know, but in medical terms we find that it is really a spectrum of medical conditions as varied from various fears such as social anxiety or fears of being closed in, to panic disorders or just generalized anxiety.

Before self-diagnosis or self-treating getting help from a medical professional for direction is always best.

In a study at Georgetown University, they compared mindfulness-based stress reduction to use of the anti-anxiety medication.

In this study individuals who were already diagnosed were randomized into the medical therapy with escilatopram or the mindfulness group.

In the reported study under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Hoge, the mindfulness group specifically worked on the techniques of medication exercises, breath awareness work, body scanning and moving mindfully.

One of the most important aspects of mindfulness is to be kind, thankful, and forgiving to one’s self.

It’s important to note that in this relatively short study there was significant improvement in anxiety symptoms in both groups, but neither group was cured.

And there are definitely medical reasons to add medication when appropriate, and other studies have shown that adding in mindfulness will help the effectiveness of medication.

It’s important to realize mindfulness is a day at a time, and with a bit of practice we can all be more patient, with ourselves.