Progress or Pathology? Differential Diagnosis and Intervention Criteria for Meditation-Related Challenges: Perspectives From Buddhist Meditation Teachers and Practitioners

Lindahl, Jared R.; Cooper, David J.; Fisher, Nathan E.; Kirmayer, Laurence J.; Britton, Willoughby B.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01905

Cited by 31 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Duration has often been used to indicate severity of AEs and to differentiate transient discomfort from disorders, or problems that warrant clinical attention or interventions (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013; Baer et al, 2019;Lindahl et al, 2020). However, different symptoms require different durations to be considered clinically significant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining and Measuring Meditation-Related Adverse Effects in Mindfulness-Based Programs

Britton

Lindahl

Cooper

et al. 2021

Clinical Psychological Science

Self Cite

126

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Research on the adverse effects of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) has been sparse and hindered by methodological imprecision. The 44-item Meditation Experiences Interview (MedEx-I) was used by an independent assessor to measure meditation-related side effects (MRSEs) following three variants of an 8-week program of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy ( n = 96). Each item was queried for occurrence, causal link to mindfulness meditation practice, duration, valence, and impact on functioning. Eighty-three percent of the MBP sample reported at least one MRSE. Meditation-related adverse effects with negative valences or negative impacts on functioning occurred in 58% and 37% of the sample, respectively. Lasting bad effects occurred in 6% to 14% of the sample and were associated with signs of dysregulated arousal (hyperarousal and dissociation). Meditation practice in MBPs is associated with transient distress and negative impacts at similar rates to other psychological treatments.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining and Measuring Meditation-Related Adverse Effects in Mindfulness-Based Programs

Britton

Lindahl

Cooper

et al. 2021

Clinical Psychological Science

Self Cite

126

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The seven categories of meditation-related adverse effects that previously had been identified were applied: cognitive, perceptual, affective, somatic, conative sense of self and social. 20 The participants could choose every category if the experience was of that nature.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, predictors and types of unpleasant and adverse effects of meditation in regular meditators: international cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundMeditation is commonly implemented in psychological therapies since the ‘third wave’ of cognitive–behavioural therapy has increased the focus on mindfulness-based interventions. Although extensive research literature demonstrates its benefits, little is known about potential adverse effects.AimsThe aim of this study is to report the prevalence, type and severity of particularly unpleasant meditation-related experiences in the largest cross-sectional study on this topic to date, with 1370 regular meditators.MethodThe participants were asked whether they ever encountered particularly unpleasant experiences as a result of their meditation experience. For the first time, the type and severity of those experiences were assessed and the association with several predictors, such as pre-existing mental disorders, were explored via logistic and linear regression.ResultsSimilar to previous studies, 22% of participants (95% CI 20–24) reported having encountered unpleasant meditation-related experiences, and 13% of participants (95% CI 3–5) reported experiences that were categorised as adverse. Those were mostly of affective, somatic and cognitive nature. Unpleasant meditation-related experiences were more likely to occur in participants with pre-existing mental illnesses (P = 0.000, 95% CI 1.25–2.12).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that unpleasant meditation-related experiences are prevalent among meditators and, to a relevant extent, severe enough to warrant further scientific inquiry. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine whether the unpleasant meditation-related experiences are merely negative and thus should be avoided, or are an inherent part of the contemplative path.

show abstract

“…Kornfield (1979, p. 44) provided a detailed survey of "unusual experiences," reported by insight meditators, so as to enable Western psychologists to assess such phenomena appropriately from the viewpoint of their potentially pathological nature. Right away on the first page of another relevant publication, Epstein and Lieff (1981, p. 137) highlighted the need for clarifications regarding "the range of side effects of meditative practices that may present to the clinician as psychological disturbance" (for related studies published recently, see Lindahl et al 2017Lindahl et al , 2020.…”

Section: Insight Meditationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dangers of Mindfulness: Another Myth?

Anālayo

2021

Mindfulness

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Criticism of potential drawbacks of mindfulness is crucial for the field to move forward and remain grounded in reality rather than become carried away by the mindfulness hype. At the same time, however, such criticism needs to be reasonable and based on actual facts rather than subjective imagination. The allegation that mindfulness is intrinsically dangerous appears to have been influenced by unreasonable claims made by Daniel Ingram, which have been taken seriously due to an apparent lack of acquaintance of some scholars with Buddhist doctrine and with genuine forms of insight meditation.

show abstract

Progress or Pathology? Differential Diagnosis and Intervention Criteria for Meditation-Related Challenges: Perspectives From Buddhist Meditation Teachers and Practitioners

Cited by 31 publications

References 32 publications

Defining and Measuring Meditation-Related Adverse Effects in Mindfulness-Based Programs

Defining and Measuring Meditation-Related Adverse Effects in Mindfulness-Based Programs

Prevalence, predictors and types of unpleasant and adverse effects of meditation in regular meditators: international cross-sectional study

The Dangers of Mindfulness: Another Myth?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About