An article written by Oliver Moody
for The Times recently,
stated that mindfulness can be bad for you. It seems that two
psychologists, Miguel Farias and Catherine Wikholm have written in
their book The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change you? that mindfulness and meditation
have hidden risks which can include “mania, depression, hallucinations and
psychosis”.
Mindfulness is hugely popular at the moment. It is being taught in
schools, is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for anxiety and depression, there are
meditation retreats and courses all over the world, and experts making claims
about its effectiveness. More recently, efforts are being made to reveal its
“dark side”, including the profit-making abilities and how it can impact
negatively on individuals.
There is growing evidence of the
effectiveness of mindfulness, not solely on the mental health side of things,
but physically and emotionally, too. There are numerous studies on the benefits
of meditation, neatly and concisely summarised by Giovanni Dienstmann. I
have practised mindfulness for many years, as well as carefully taught it to
adults, gained a qualification in teaching children meditation and then used
the techniques with my own children; in schools; and with patients as part of
my tool kit in my role as a registered nurse. I have seen great things arise
from those who have used it.
Like many things, mindfulness isn’t for everybody. I have occasionally
worked with those who haven’t benefited from the techniques and asked them to
self-refer for further help with a psychologist – but these are the clients
that haven’t wanted to or haven’t been able to explore the deeper connections
within – and any good therapist would know when to signpost these clients for
therapy and counselling, without leaving them unsupported and lost, which can
lead to mental health issues like mania, depression or deepening anxiety.
Mindfulness requires discipline, time, connection and honesty with
ourselves. In situations where we are able to see the deeper truth, of course
it has the potential to bring up all sorts of emotional or mental imbalances.
But it is important that the individual is supported to do this in a positive
way, and for the therapist to know when to refer on, being mindful of the
benefits and consequences for all. In short, then, “mind your head”.
