Mindfulness For Dummies, 3rd Edition



Chapter 13

Using Mindfulness to Combat Anxiety, Depression and Addiction

IN THIS CHAPTER

Trying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Finding out about depression and anxiety

Discovering ways in which mindfulness reduces depression and anxiety

Exploring specific techniques

“You are not your illness.”

Depression, anxiety and addiction present serious challenges in our society. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the planet’s leading cause of disability, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. About one in six people suffer from clinical depression at some point in their lives. About one in twenty people experience generalised anxiety at some point in their lives – feeling anxious all day.

Medical evidence suggests that mindfulness is very powerful in helping people with recurrent depression, and studies with anxiety and addiction have been promising too. If you suffer from any of these conditions, following the mindfulness advice in this chapter can really help you.

In fact, ...