Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

[mothcorrupteth]

Just wanted to share some research and a brief testimony.

A Bible-believing Christian should be cautious about the philosophy behind mindfulness--many of its core principles are translatable to Christian belief, but not directly--however, I as someone with bipolar have found mindfulness to be something that helps me enormously in combination with my small doses of sertraline and risperidone. In only two weeks' time, my attention on my present environment (as opposed to focusing on depressive forecasts of the future, or painful reminiscing upon the past) has improved markedly. It's not that I am without distressful thoughts, but that I am able to diminish their lasting effect.

See Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for bi... [J Psychiatr Pract. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI for a sample of some of the cutting-edge research into mindfulness with bipolar.

 

[Loven God]

I find what works best for me is giving it to God , my meds and a good support team . It is not always easy but God brings me through it .

 

[angelkiss]

I have been in treatment since 2001. I too, have learned that focusing on the more positive aspects do make a difference. Especially, when things are out of my control. That used to be one of my biggest stressors. After years of coping skills, I have finally learned to find the good in all situations and if I have no control over those obstacles that appear from nowhere.....I do my best and let God do the rest.<3

 

[mothcorrupteth]

Mindfulness is not necessarily about focusing on the the good at all times. That's more of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). The perspective of MBCT is that often, combatting negative thoughts with positive ones only gives the negative thoughts more power. The focus of Mindfulness is fourfold:

Compassion. Taking a non-judgmental view of yourself and the world. (As Christians, we cannot accept this emphasis as is. We must replace it with Mercy, or forgiving self because one's sins are covered by Christ and forgiving others because Christ was first merciful to us.)

Curiosity. Having a child-like sense of wonder and exploration about our own sensations and the things we encounter in the world. (This is entirely Christian to the core--so many of the Psalms deal with finding the wonder of our Creator in His creations.)

Acceptance. Acknowledging your present-moment experiences, including your negative emotions. (Much could be said here about the predestination of God, of all things working together for the good of believers, and resting in that comfort; but here I also think it's important to call attention to Psalm 77. There, Asaph doesn't deny his despair to God--he acknowleges it, pauses [Selah], and then turns to remembering the things God has done for His people.)

Openness. Stepping back from your experiences without running away from them, including your negative emotions. Watching your thoughts go by without trying to cling to them. (Something that is compatible with the Christian emphasis in Phil. 4:8 to maintain a positive thought life, which implies that we do not allow negative thoughts to gain their own energy, which we give to them when we grasp onto them. And actively fighting them with positive thoughts is one way of grasping the negative. Better to let the negative pass by and grasp the positive when it arises. Again, Psalm 77 is instructive--Asaphdoesn't leap straight away to fight off his depression with the positive thoughts. He pauses [Selah] first, and then his memory of God's past Mercies fill in the gap.)