Can mindfulness bring post-traumatic stress disorder patients to focus on the present?

Abstract

Introduction

Over the last years, literature has dedicated increased interest to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder that was initially included in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders in 1980. Trauma is any event that overwhelms the individual coping strategies. Patients with PTSD experience symptoms of hyper-vigilance, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, re-experiencing the trauma event, avoidance of stimuli related with trauma or exaggerated startle response. Mindfulness is the process of being aware, paying attention in the present moment, in a non-judgmental way. Research has been showing that mindfulness has positive effects on mental health.

Objectives and aims

Assessment of eventual benefits of mindfulness in patients with PTSD.

Methods

Literature research.

Results

Many studies have reported on correlations between self-reported mindfulness and mental health. Literature suggests that mindfulness training can enhance life skills and its effectiveness is being studied in several mental disorders. Its positive effects on enhancing emotion regulation and decreasing anxiety, hyperarousal and depressive symptoms, led to investigation in the context of PTSD's treatment. Some studies show decreased perceived stress and post-traumatic avoidance symptoms and increased positive states of mind. Most studies reviewed were related with war veterans with PTSD and showed that mindfulness-based treatments could enhance their quality of life. Other results imply that mindful awareness alone may not be sufficient to help reduce symptoms.

Conclusions

Mindfulness based therapies could be useful on improving PTSD symptoms but, to assess its efficacy, further research is needed, in different samples of patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.