Is 'mindfulness' overrated?

[Vermilion]

Yes, 'mindfulness' has it's uses, it has on occasion stopped me having a full on breakdown but I also feel that it's seen as a sort of fix it all solution too. I've seen MH profs over the years and they all plug mindfulness as some sort of miracle that can solve everything. Personally though, I don't find it helpful during my severe mood swings; if I'm having a panic attack doing breathing exercises or 'zen colouring' or whatever doesn't really help. It feels dismissive, as though they're not taking my problems seriously enough and at times it's felt a little patronising; it's not unlike the feeling when you ring the crisis team and they tell you to have a bath or to drink hot chocolate. I just don't feel like this mindfulness malarkey is all it's cracked up to be, especially regarding severe longer term problems.

Thoughts? 

[terrified heart]

I don’t personally find it helpful.

I (personally) think it’s a fad thing that they can dish out on a wide scale cheaply. I’m sure it helps some people, but like you say it’s not really practical for an acute MH crisis.

[Vermilion]

Thank you. I was honestly starting to think that I was doing it wrong or something. It can help the relatively minor things but not for the acute things. I also think it's the NHS trying to save money. I've always thought that it's crap.

[Vermilion]

It's nice to hear that it works for some people, it does have it's uses when we're feeling OK. I do sometimes use those mindfulness sounds to block out invisible people too, though I prefer nature sounds because I don't like a lot of noise.  My main objection is for it to be relied upon during a crisis, like it can solve everything. Sounds like you have a better crisis team than mine! It just feels very dismissive, kinda like those articles that tell you to think your way out of depression . I also feel that it's overused and ignores the deeper issues that need addressing, like the NHS is fobbing us off because there's no real help available.