Faculty Sponsor
Professor Stedman
College
College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)
Department/Program
Physician Assistant Program
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-23-2025
Abstract
This study evaluated whether mindfulness practices are more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in reducing anxiety symptoms in adults aged 17 years and older diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) over one year. A structured literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Valpo Summons, and PubMed. Search terms included “Mindfulness,” “SSRIs,” “GAD,” “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,” “generalized anxiety disorder,” and “Placebo.” A total of five relevant studies were identified: three from Google Scholar, one from Valpo Summons, and one from PubMed. Inclusion criteria were studies published in English from 2019 onward, with full-text access, involving participants aged 17 or older diagnosed with GAD or another anxiety-related disorder. Studies were excluded if published before 2019, not in English, lacked full-text access, or did not focus on anxiety-based conditions. The primary outcome examined was the change in severity of anxiety symptoms following treatment with either SSRIs or mindfulness practices. Measures included pre- and post-treatment scores using validated anxiety assessment tools. Findings from the selected studies indicated that both SSRIs and mindfulness-based interventions produced comparable reductions in anxiety symptoms. SSRIs such as escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline showed significant benefit, while mindfulness practices, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), demonstrated similar efficacy.
Recommended Citation
Doyle, Max E., "Mindfulness vs SSRIs: Managing Anxiety in Adults with GAD" (2025). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 242.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/242
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Max Doyle has a special interest in Psychiatry and Cardiology and plans on working in either family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, or psychiatry following graduation. They will be presenting on Mindfulness vs SSRIs: Managing Anxiety in Adults with generalized anxiety disorder because they have special interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders.