Lao-tzu -author of the Tao Te Ching, a book of wisdom, which is thousand of years old and has been translated more then any other volume in the world (with the exception of the Bible) , writes:

   “If  you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place”

Shortly after reading Lao-tzu’s quote I came across a journal article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 2009 issue) which evaluated the merits of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program developed to help at risk teens avoid depression. They were judged to be at risk for the development of depression due to the fact their parent had been diagnosed and treated for depression. We now know that depression does run in families, but not so much due to a genetic link, but as to learned styles of thinking and coping, which serve to create and maintain depression.

These teens were taught cognitive reappraisal (how to challenge and change the MEANING they attributed to stressful life events) as well as effective problem solving skills.  The entire program occurred over 8 weeks for a total of 12 hours of cognitive skills training. Follow-up results over a  five year  period showed significantly lower depression rates for those teens receiving the training vs. those who did not.

These findings are not surprising for those of us who accept the fact that the MEANING we give to the events of our lives is what determines our moods, stress levels and performance.  I love it when science serves to validate  the ancient masters of the East!! 

Wouldn’t it be great if  simple, yet effective programs like this one were made available to all of our youth as part of their school curriculum?That I guess is just too easy a solution—not to mention  too cost effective to be attractive to those who rule our health care and pharmaceutical industry!! Any thoughts on this??