Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living in Recurrent Depression

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living in Recurrent Depression

Since a few years, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been used as treatment for patients suffering from recurrent depression. Though a number of studies show that MBCT is effective in this population and MBCT reduces the chances of relapse/recurrence in recurrent depressive patients, the chance of a new depression developing after end of treatment is still considerable. Ergo, there is room for improvement.

Especially the development of a non-judging or compassionate attitude towards all experience seems to mediate the treatment effect. It is therefore our expectation that a follow-up intervention that focuses specifically on self-compassion could prove very useful in elaborating on the effects of MBCT.

The research question of this research is therefore: what is the effect of compassion training in people suffering from recurrent depression who have already received MBCT training?

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Recurrent depression according to the DSM-IV criteria.
2. Having participated in an MBCT training (>= 4 sessions)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. One or more previous (hypo)manic episodes according to DSM-IV criteria.
2. Primary psychotic disorder, e.g. schizophrenia or delusions.
3. Clinically relevant neurological conditions (e.g. brain trauma or dementia) or somatic conditions (e.g. cancer, AIDS) that could be related to the depression.
4. Current alcohol and/or drug abuse.
5. Use of high dosages of benzodiazepines.
6. Recent electro convulsive therapy (ECT) (less than 3 months ago).
7. Problems impeding participating in a group, such as severe borderline personality disorder.
8. No prior experience with MBCT.
9. Problems impeding completing the questionnaires, such as cognitive dysfunctions (only assessed if suspected).
10. Subnormal intelligence (IQ < 80) (only assessed if suspected).