Mindfulness-based CBT for depression with chronic physical health problems

Is MBCT feasible and acceptable to people with depression and chronic physical health problems?

Depression: With depression an individual has a low mood and other symptoms each day for at least two weeks. Other symptoms include changes in patterns of sleep, eating, energy, concentration and may include feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt and suicidal thoughts. Symptoms have become severe enough to interfere with normal day-to-day activities.

MBCT/MBSR: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week, class-based program in which people learn mindfulness practices; recognise patterns of thinking and feeling that cause distress and exacerbate symptoms; improve self-awareness and learn to step out of patterns of reactivity. Over time and with practice, people typically report being better able to cope both with their chronic health problems but also with their lives more generally. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a derivative of MBSR tailored specifically for people with recurrent depression. MBSR/MBCT is based on the premise that the mind is known to be a factor in stress and stress-related disorders, and meditation has been shown to positively effect a range of autonomic physiological processes, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing overall arousal and emotional reactivity. The program brings meditation and yoga together so that the virtues of both can be experienced simultaneously.