Psychiatr. praxi. 2025;26(1):30-35 | DOI: 10.36290/psy.2025.006

Self-compassion - A cure for anxiety?

Ing. Marek Vich, Ph.D.

Katedra psychologie a sociálních věd, Vysoká škola Ambis, a. s., Praha

Anxiety disorders are currently the most common group of mental disorders, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Budgets for the treatment and prevention of these disorders are very limited. The article focuses on self-compassion, which is an available approach to reducing anxiety symptoms as well as potentially treating anxiety disorders. The above text is mainly based on the theory of three systems of emotion regulation, as well as studies focusing on the relationship between self-compassion, anxiety symptoms, emotional attachment and oxytocin. Based on this, recommendations for future studies are presented. For the future development of this field, more randomized controlled longitudinal studies and more complex research models are needed, especially investigating the role of mediating/moderating factors such as emotional attachment, personality characteristics or emotional regulation. Authors in the field should also consider adapting and validating more interventions within a clinical population. Significant potential for future research can be seen in examining the role of oxytocin, which according to some studies shows beneficial effects for reducing anxiety. In the last part, recommendations for supporting the practice of mental health workers are presented.

Keywords: anxiety, anxiety disorders, self-compassion, emotion regulation, mindfulness, psychotherapy, stress.

Accepted: March 27, 2025; Published: April 10, 2025  Show citation