Dialectic Two-Step – A Rant On The Mindfulness Movement

Dialectic Two-Step  is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.

Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio Paz  

A Rant On The Mindfulness Movement

I keep a close eye on news about mindfulness and meditation.  It’s been nice to see how the scientific community has embraced the data about these wonderful practices. Jon Cabot Zinn’s work in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction has shown that substantial gains in quality of life can be had with a regular meditation practice. Studies have shown the benefits of meditation in treating hypertension, pain, and stress. But the mindfulness movement is beginning to attract snake oil salesmen looking for a fast buck.

It was inevitable. So I’ve held off on the rant. Until now.

What pushed me to the tipping point was an article that made the claim that Mindfulness Is More Effective Than Drugs For Both Anxiety and Depression. Here’s where I draw the line. The headline and content of the article seems to lead the reader to believe that they can skip their medication and and just meditate. I’m all about mindfulness as a part of treatment for depression and anxiety, but that’s dangerous and irresponsible.

Here’s where I want to be completely clear:

Medications work whether your conscious of your symptoms or not. Mindfulness does not.

Meditation and mindfulness only work when you have a steady practice and you are 100% successful in detecting your mood and other symptoms. As humans we are terrible at recognizing and responding to our own problems. At best mindfulness is a supplement to medication. In terms of efficacy, this article is drawing unwarranted conclusions from the studies it references.  When it comes to treating depression and anxiety, I love the pharmacy. I speak from experience in both meditation (10 years or more of practice) and depression. 

Ethically, authors of articles like this, are treading the wrong side of the line.  Convincing someone to stop taking their medications in favor of a meditation routine is reprehensible.  Skipping meds can have serious repercussions, including worsening symptoms, self harm, systemic health problems, and suicide. When it comes to mental health issues always consult a certified professional. Medical treatment can absolutely be enhanced with mindfulness, but it’s not for everyone, and it’s not a replacement.  Steer clear from this new breed of snake oil salesmen.

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