By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “research is beginning to show how mindfulness decreases depression and anxiety during pregnancy and boosts positive emotions.” – Mindful Depression occurring after delivery of a baby is well known, documented and discussed. Less well known but equally likely is intense depression and anxiety during pregnancy. But, between […]
Yoga is an Effective Adjunct Practice for Mental Illness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted — in body, mind, and heart […]
Reduce Rumination in Bipolar Disorder with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “If you are someone who tends to ruminate, or who suffers from anxiety and depression, it’s important that you don’t judge yourself for this way of being.” ― Kristin Neff Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, is a […]
Improve Well-Being in Cancer Survivors with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It’s a mindset.” — Dave Pelzer Receiving a diagnosis of cancer has a huge impact on most people. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and fear are very common […]
Mindfulness is Associated with Less Relapse and Recurrence of Major Depressive Disorder By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb Clinically diagnosed depression is the most common mental illness, affecting over 6% of the population. Major depression can be quite debilitating. Depression can be difficult […]
Improve the Psychological Well-Being of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “People with Parkinson’s reported that stress worsened both motor and non-motor symptoms, especially tremor and anxiety. More than 38 percent of respondents found mindfulness helped manage their stress and improved motor and non-motor symptoms, including anxiety […]
Virtual Mindfulness Training Improves Well-Being By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Spending too much time planning, problem solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative or random thoughts can be draining. It also can make you more likely to experience stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Practicing mindfulness exercises, on the other hand, can help you […]
Improve Sleep in Patients with Mental Disorders with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Not getting enough sleep skews our ability to regulate our emotions. In the long run, this can increase our risk of developing a mental health condition. In turn, conditions such as anxiety and depression may cause further sleep […]
Improve Depression by Changing the Brain with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is just as effective as medication in preventing depression relapse among adults with a history of recurrent depression, and in reducing depressive symptoms among those with active depression.” – Deborah Yip Clinically diagnosed depression is the most common mental […]
Mindfulness Improves Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as Drug Treatment By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “most OCD sufferers I know who practice mindfulness find it very helpful in fighting their disorder. To be able to focus on what is really happening in any given moment, as opposed to dwelling on the past […]