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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 9, 2004, at 21:40:03
In reply to exercise and depression, posted by asoiferman on June 7, 2004, at 15:09:26
Posted by asoiferman on June 7, 2004, at 15:09:26
> i've heard that exercise can help to lift depression. anyone know how much exercise they're talking about? also, i was working out 5 or 6 days a week for a few months, then went on vacation for a few days and didn't work out. i also went off my meds around the same time. now i'm depressed and have started my meds again. could the lack of exercise for those few days been a cause of the depression returning? i don't WANT to go to the gym, let alone get out of bed in the morning, but what should i be doing at the gym when i go? anything particular?
Posted by SLS on June 12, 2004, at 7:51:56
In reply to exercise and depression « asoiferman, posted by Dr. Bob on June 9, 2004, at 21:40:03
> > i've heard that exercise can help to lift depression.
Excercise doesn't do squat for me. Not even squats.I have always been dubious of this advice, but a psychopharmacologist at New York University once told me that intense exercise (weight lifting or resistance training) depleted monoamine stores and was not good for depression. I did it anyway.
- Scott
Posted by Racer on June 15, 2004, at 12:43:29
In reply to Re: exercise and depression, posted by SLS on June 12, 2004, at 7:51:56
I think it really depends on a lot of factors, like the severity of the depression, and the type of exercise, and how you feel about doing it. Since I tend to exercise to excess as a sort of self-punishment, exercise doesn't do a lot of good for me, although it does help a bit on the "moderately depressed" days. On the "I need to die NOW" days, though, I can often force myself through it, but it's not good for me. (Yes, I do it anyway, because otherwise it gives me another whip for my daily beating.)
So, for mild to moderate depression, exercise can be helpful. For severe depression, it really doesn't matter if the exercise might help, because DOING the exercise can hurt.
That is Racer's Rationale, at least.
Posted by lilj on July 3, 2004, at 17:44:31
In reply to Re: exercise and depression, posted by Racer on June 15, 2004, at 12:43:29
I have to say sometimes excercise helps and sometimes its hard just to get the motivation to do it. I find that when my depression is really bad, that walking outside is the only calming thing.
There's a really good book I invested in awhile back and it is amazing - I highly suggest it, jsut to help the calming and lack of motivation while suffering depression.
Its called, peace is every step by Thich Nhat Hahn. Its not real corney and its an easy read. I helps to give you small things to do throught the day to help bring you back to the present moment. I recommend to anyone!!!
Hope you are feeling better, its awhile since you posted.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 4, 2004, at 8:33:47
In reply to Re: exercise and depression, posted by lilj on July 3, 2004, at 17:44:31
> There's a really good book I invested in awhile back and it is amazing - I highly suggest it, jsut to help the calming and lack of motivation while suffering depression.
>
> Its called, peace is every step by Thich Nhat Hahn.I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by KaraS on July 5, 2004, at 4:27:42
In reply to Re: exercise and depression, posted by lilj on July 3, 2004, at 17:44:31
I haven't had the motivation to exercise for quite a while now. I definitely believe that it helps though or at least it has for me. It gets the blood pumping and the endorphins flowing and I feel really alive. I haven't run in many years but I remember one time in particular when I got such an incredible runner's high. (I've never felt that good from any medication!) You'd think that an experience like that would motivate me to exercise ... but noooooo. I've been so lethargic and it's such vicious cycle. The less I move, the more groggy and leaden and unhealthy I feel - yet I don't get my butt out there.
This is the end of the thread.
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