Mindfulness and other types of meditation are usually seen as simple stress relievers but they can sometimes leave people worse off. About one in twelve people who try meditation experience an unwanted negative effect, usually a worsening in depression or anxiety, or even the onset of these conditions for the first time, according to the First Systematic review of the Evidence.
For most people, it works fine but it has undoubtedly been over hyped and it's not universally benevolent says Miguel Farias, one of the researchers at Conventry University in the UK. There are many types of meditation, but one of the most popular is mindfulness, in which people pay attention to the present moment, focusing on either their own thoughts and feelings or external sensations. It is recommended by several National Health Service bodies in the UK as a way of reducing depression.
Enthusiasm for meditation may partly stem from a growing awareness of the side effects of antidepressant medicines and the difficulties some people report in stopping to take them. There have been some reports of people experiencing worse mental health after starting meditation, but it is unclear how often this happens.
According to Faria's team, 8 percent of people who try meditation experience an unwanted effect. "People have experienced anything from an increase in anxiety up to panic attacks" Says Farias. They also found instances of psychosis or thoughts of suicide. The figure of 8 percent may be underestimated, as many studies of meditation record only serious negative effects or don't record them at all says Farias.
Meditation has been found to help people to relax and refocus and help them both mentally and physically according to Katie Sparks, a renowned psychologist but sometimes when people are trying to still their thoughts, the mind can rebel. This doesn't mean people should stop meditation Katie says but instead should opt for guided sessions led by a teacher or an App with a recorded narration which is safer.