Posted by Racer on May 28, 2004, at 9:06:53
In reply to Exercise Making Me More Depressed/Irritable - HELP, posted by Survector on May 27, 2004, at 0:34:19
I can't tell you what caused it, because looking back I'd say it was a combination of things working together, but it was pretty awful.
For one thing, I was unmedicated and really trying to feel better through exercise. So, I'd slog through my routine every day, weights every other day, plus anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes of cardio every day. I did get the satisfaction of having DONE it, and the satisfaction of having sculpted biceps (dang, my arms looked *good*), but since that exercise was the one thing I looked forward to in the day, when it was done, I was done in. And the next day, since I had to do it again, and I knew it wasn't going to 'fix' me, and it was hard work, I would start out a little lower. So, the psychological reaction was a little intense, and I know that it really did play a big part in this for me.
Also, I wasn't eating enough, so I was exercising hard and not taking in enough food to fuel it. You wrote about exercising, but a balanced, adequate diet it also vital to the process. (That's me calling the kettle black, of course, but even though it's "do as I say, not as I do", I'm still right. A balanced diet with enough calories to meet your body's needs really is vital to your well-being.)
Then there are the hormones released through exercise. I don't know enough about them to describe what goes on, so I do have to leave that to someone else, but I'll read those replies when they come avidly. My guess is that you've got some stress hormone involvement, since I know that Cushing's syndrome leads to the loss of muscle tone, which makes me think that cortisol might be involved somehow. (Yeah, OK, I'm just exposing my own ignorance here. What can I say? I am trying to help.) Also, if you're not eating enough, there is evidence of a change in the patterns of dopamine related synaptic activity in your hypothalamus. That's from very, very old studies done with anorexia patients. Their brains were not reacting the way starvation victims did, they reacted as long term speed addicts did. Lots more dopamine activity in the mammalian regions of the brain.
As for the answers you got earlier, I don't think anyone wanted to frustrate you. My guess is, just like me, a lot of people wanted to show their support to you, and some people really wanted you to see that -- no matter the biochemical cause -- this might be psychological as well. I know I posted because I feel for you and want to help, even if I don't know the biochemical mechanisms invovled. I also know that it was in large part psychological for me, so I don't want you to reject the possibility that it might be partly so for you, too.
Best luck to you, kiddo. I hope it clears up soon.
poster:Racer
thread:350992
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/351441.html