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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stalwart on July 3, 2004, at 3:41:57
IS EXERCISE THE PANACEA WE ALL NEED?
Posted by SLS on July 3, 2004, at 5:58:24
In reply to SAVE US ALL!, posted by stalwart on July 3, 2004, at 3:41:57
> IS EXERCISE THE PANACEA WE ALL NEED?
NO!
- SCOTT!
Posted by stalwart on July 3, 2004, at 6:13:16
In reply to Re: SAVE US ALL!, posted by SLS on July 3, 2004, at 5:58:24
yikes!
Posted by linkadge on July 3, 2004, at 10:03:42
In reply to Re: SAVE US ALL! » SLS, posted by stalwart on July 3, 2004, at 6:13:16
Exercise has helped me when all other meds have failed. I read an article saying that the BDNF increase invoked by SSRI's seemed to dwindle after a while, but exercise boosted BDNF at all stages and walks of life
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on July 3, 2004, at 10:42:50
In reply to sure helps, posted by linkadge on July 3, 2004, at 10:03:42
> Exercise has helped me when all other meds have failed. I read an article saying that the BDNF increase invoked by SSRI's seemed to dwindle after a while, but exercise boosted BDNF at all stages and walks of life
>
> Linkadge
Like most things, I think the benefits of exercise on mood are highly variable between individuals. When I was in my 20s, bodybuilding didn't help combat my depression at all.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on July 3, 2004, at 11:56:20
In reply to Re: sure helps some people, but not others, posted by SLS on July 3, 2004, at 10:42:50
The mental benefits to exercise seem to be restricted to aerobic exercise. Most studies reveal that weighbearing exercises don't boost BDNF in the same way that aerobic exercises do - particularly jogging.
Linkadge
Posted by zeugma on July 3, 2004, at 13:31:26
In reply to weights don't increase BDNF, posted by linkadge on July 3, 2004, at 11:56:20
jogging doesn't help my depression, although the activity itself is one of the few things i enjoy.
Posted by Simcha on July 3, 2004, at 14:12:57
In reply to Re: weights don't increase BDNF » linkadge, posted by zeugma on July 3, 2004, at 13:31:26
I was jogging regularly when I had the worst depression of my life that started me on a med régime. So, I think it does depend on the person. Physically I feel better when I get regular exercise. In the realm of mood, it can help but if I'm in the midst of a crippling major depressive episode it seems that it doesn't even make a dent....
Simcha
Posted by Racer on July 3, 2004, at 15:04:29
In reply to Re: sure helps some people, but not others, posted by SLS on July 3, 2004, at 10:42:50
This is one of those things where mileage is likely to vary a lot, I think. For me, I know, I used exercise a sort of combination self-medication/self-punishment for a long time. An hour and a half a day, minimum, on treadmill and stair machine at the gym; with a complete weight routine three times per week, as well. It was self-medicating in some senses -- sweating felt good, and the pushing on the weight machines (on the days my workout buddy/spotter wasn't there) felt like pushing away against the troubles bearing down on me. (And the weight machines -- unlike my workout buddy -- never asked me how much I was eating...) While I was on the stair machine, I'd be hating every second and watching that timer tick down the seconds and minutes longing only for it to get to zero so I could stop. Once I was done, though, I could say, "See, you did something for yourself today. You did something to make yourself stronger, and healthier." (The treadmill was another story. For reasons I won't go into here, I walked on it rather than jogging, and I'd go into a sort of a trance and just keep moving my legs. Not nearly so awful, although I still wanted it to end.)
Did it help my depression? No. For me, that took meds.
So, keeping in mind that we all have our own individual quirks attached to our mood disorders and to our native personalities, exercise is good for us all in some quantity, but mileage is likely to vary a lot in terms of helping our moods. (And I'm still a little frightened by the thought of starting a regular exercise program, because my experience is that it either makes me miserable because I can't force myself to get through the whole dang thing or it starts me off down the path to excessive exercise and restricted eating. I figure if that's what happens to me, I can't be the only one who experiences it. After all, I may be unique, but I'm not the only one, you know?)
Sorry to get long on the subject, I meant to say, "Yeah, I agree totally: exercise helps some people -- especially those with mild depression linked to situational stressors -- but everyone's reaction to it will be different. And Scott's a very smart fellow we can all learn a lot from."
Amazing, ain't it? Two short sentences instead of my usual lengthy ravings... {sigh} Flunked the editing part...
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2004, at 15:48:11
In reply to SAVE US ALL!, posted by stalwart on July 3, 2004, at 3:41:57
> IS EXERCISE THE PANACEA WE ALL NEED?
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Health. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20040523/msgs/362835.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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