Searching for existential security: a prospective qualitative study on the influence of mindfulness therapy on experienced stress and coping strategies among patients with somatoform disorders.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 1, 2014 Annemette Bondo Lind, Charlotte Delmar, Klaus Nielsen
Mindfulness group therapy for somatoform disorders helped patients move from an existential crisis characterized by insecurity about social identity, illness, and difficulty identifying stress-related emotions, toward increased existential security. Post-treatment, patients reported greater self-confidence, clearer illness perceptions, enhanced relaxation using mindfulness techniques, improved mind-body awareness, and more active communication of needs and distress. They shifted from avoidant to more flexible coping strategies, reducing daily stress. Patients suggested expanding therapy with more group discussions and additional individual sessions. While treatment positively affected illness perceptions, stress experiences, self-awareness, coping, and social functioning, further treatment was still needed for full recovery.