Lorraine N. Smith

Zen Meditation and Generalized Anxiety Disorder: the Experience of Zen on Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Lorraine N. Smith

People with generalized anxiety disorder are agonized by most aspects of daily life. Zen meditation is an ancient method of stilling and settling the mind. Could Zen meditation, then, be an effective therapeutic tool for those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder? This is the first-hand clinical experience of mental-health care providers introducing Zen meditation to anxiety-disorder sufferers. Comprehensive examinations and analyses of the participants? experiences are conducted through the use of focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews. An interpretive phenomenological perspective and rigorous systematic analysis are utilized to present a unique picture of Zen meditation as a means for helping anxiety sufferers lead happier and less anxious lives.