Presentation by Stuart J. Eisendrath, MD, at the UCSF Depression Center's "Depression: Pathways to Resilience and Recovery" event on September 13, 2014.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness means paying attention, in a particular way; on
purpose, in the present moment and
non-judgmentally. – Kabat-Zinn, 1990
A nonevaluative awareness to one’s inner and outer environment.
A kind of non-elaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered
awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that arises
in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is. –
Bishop et al., 2004
4. How Does Mindfulness Work
in Depression?
Focus on here and now
Selective attention
Decreased rumination
Increased decentering
Enhanced self compassion
5. MBCT Core Concepts
Thoughts and feelings are viewed as mental events and not as
concrete facts of reality.
Our minds are constant “thought generators”.
Our minds are not always our best friends.
6. 70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
ONE YEAR FOLLOW-UP:
% FREE of RELAPSE/RECURRENCE (n= 73)
> 2 episodes
TAU %
MBCT %
Ma & Teasdale, 2004
7. MBCT vs. CBT
I am having the thought…..
Little emphasis on positive vs.
negative thoughts
Promotes an alternative way
of “being with” painful affect
and challenging circumstances
Noticing thoughts
Thought process focused
I am…..
Rigorous attention to
identifying negative thoughts
and beliefs
Promotes new way of looking
at painful affect and
challenging circumstances
Answering back
Thought content focused
14. Mindfulness Mechanisms
Decentering: viewing thoughts as mental events and not facts: May
be key component of traditional CBT
Decreased rumination
Enhanced self-compassion
Enhanced mindfulness
Decreased avoidance
15. PARTICIPANT RESPONSE to
MBCT
“I’m gentler on myself.”
“I’m less critical.”
“I can talk back to myself more.”
“I notice people are more interesting.”
“I’m more mindful in my everyday life.”
“I handle stressful events better.”
16. MBCT Results in Increase in Activity in
MBCT Group: Activity in WM Task (Post - Pre Training)
HEP Group: Post – Pre Neural Activity WM Task
P = 0.05 uncorrected
Mathalon Lab
Attentional Control Areas
17. MBCT Shows Greater Changes Than HEP
Group in Parietal and Prefrontal Attention
Regions: Working Memory
Pre-Treatment (MBCT vs. HEP Group)
P = P = 0.05 uncorrected
Post-Treatment (MBCT vs. HEP Group)
P = 0.05 uncorrected