Staying well after depression

5 November 2008

The comedian, Ruby Wax has recently revealed how she has learnt to cope with depression by practicing 'mindfulness', an approach that integrates modern therapy with ancient meditation practices. For Ruby, mindfulness was an important element in her cure.
Oxford University, along with the University of Bangor, is now conducting a clinical trial of mindfulness and another similar approach to assess how effective these therapies are in people with recurrent depression. Both centres are recruiting participants to take part in the trials.
Ruby Wax has been so impressed with the difference made to her life by mindfulness that she is now herself a mindfulness practitioner and trainer.
‘Under stress the only way I can reduce my anxiety, both physically and mentally, is by practising mindfulness. My heart rate lowers, I can breathe again and my mind becomes clear so I can deal more effectively with the situation.’
Professor Mark Williams at Oxford University has spent many years developing effective ways of assisting people with recurrent depression and suicidality.
‘Sir Winston Churchill famously described it as his “black dog”: depression can be a recurrent illness. People who have had one major attack of depression are more likely to experience further episodes. Our research, however, has shown that people can learn skills to stay well. The key things are to see the warning signs early enough, then to be able to stand back from the whirlpool of negative thoughts and feelings so you do not get sucked into it. It takes some effort to learn how best to do this, but it can be done.’
Over 300 people are being recruited to take part in the trial, with half the number to be recruited in Oxfordshire and half in North Wales. Some will take part in the mindfulness programme, while others will receive an alternative group therapy. This will enable the researchers to see what elements of the approach are most helpful. A third group will wait for treatment, then choose which treatment they’d like to have.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy brings together modern cognitive behaviour therapy with the ancient practice of mindfulness meditation. Participants will be given classes that include meditation learning, education about depression, and advice on how best participants can look after themselves when their feelings threaten to overwhelm them.
‘The way in which we react to stressful or emotional situations we face can cause further stress,’ explains Rebecca Crane, Director of Training at Bangor University's Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice. ‘Mindfulness is effective in reducing this extra layer of difficulty and struggle. When practiced by people with chronic pain, for example, the acceptance of pain reduces the struggle we experience around the pain and so reduces stress. This can often have the effect of reducing the actual experience of the pain.’
‘We know that in people with depression, fear of the return of depression can create a way of reacting to feelings of sadness which feeds the downward spiral into depression. Mindfulness helps individuals to see clearly and accept the state of mind that they are in and to respond rather than react to it. In this way it can become possible to step out of the ‘loops’ we get caught up in,’ she adds.
Those interested in participating in the trial should contact Dr Ruth Collins for further information on 01865 226468.
For more information please contact the Press Office, University of Oxford on +44 (0)1865 280530 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk.