Mindfulness matches medication for anxiety

Practicing mindfulness has long been appreciated as a healthy way to improve mood and reduce stress. A recent study suggests it can be more: an alternative therapy for people with anxiety disorders that delivers similar relief from symptoms with fewer side effects.

The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 276 adults who had one of the following conditions: fear or avoidance of places that may cause feelings of being trapped or embarrassed (agoraphobia), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. Participants were divided into two groups, with one group taking escitalopram (Lexapro), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug commonly used for anxiety. The other group was taught to practice mindfulness meditation, a type of daily mindfulness, but was not given the medication.

After eight weeks, the groups scored similarly in a measure of reduced anxiety symptoms, with people taking escitalopram showing a small edge in symptom improvement. Where the groups clearly differed significantly was in side effects.