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mind articles
Depression
There
is no escaping it - Britain is fast becoming a Prozac nation!
That's the cold hard fact from The Independent newspaper today (Sunday
16th April). The article titled 'Prozac Nation' (Drugs crises: 3.5
million are on anti-depressants. Now ministers want to put Britain
on the couch) reveals how GPs are stuck in the middle and forced
to prescribe drugs as a 'second best' treatment. With a recent survey
finding 9 out of 10 GPs prescribing anti-depressants because of
long waits to other mental health services like counselling. (1)
That is a very sad predicament but an obvious question comes to
mind (naturally of course since it is my field): but what about
exercise as an alternative to treatment?
In the following article I wish to put the case for exercise as
one of the safest and most effective treatments for depression by
addressing the following:
1. Current state of our mental health
2. Research behind exercise as an effective treatment
3. How exercise can benefit depressed people
4. Supporters of the exercise alternative
5. Who's dropping the ball when it comes to passing on the message
6. Questions to consider before undertaking an exercise routine:
7. Conclusion
1.
Current state of our mental health
The figures are nothing short of alarming with anti-depressant
prescriptions skyrocketing out of control by almost tripling in
the last 12 years from 9.9 million in 1992 to 27.7 million in
2003, costing the NHS now nearly £400 million - that is a 2000
% rise from 1992. (2)
2.
Research behind exercise as an effective treatment
One Harvard study confirming the effectiveness of exercise showed
that the relative risk of depression over a 25 year period was
27 % lower for men who played three hours or more of sport a week.
(2)
A recent study [09-13-05] carried out by Japanese researchers
from Wakayama Medical University supports the use of exercise
as a way to combat depression.
The study was performed on 49 female volunteers between the ages
of 18 and 20 who showed mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression.
After eight weeks of participating in the study, the results showed
a significant decrease in depressive symptoms in the group participating
in the exercise regimen. Symptoms showed no change in the group
receiving no exercise. (3)
3.
How exercise can benefit depressed people
According to the Mental Health Foundations booklet 'Up and Running'
there is a number of ways exercise can assist those depressed:
| • |
For
starters we can get a natural high through exercise from a
release of endorphins (chemicals that fight depression and
increase our sense of joy and wellbeing) body. |
| • |
Exercise
gives us a chance to meet new people and find support. |
| • |
A
healthier self image is created through the benefits of exercise
and the lifestyle changes that often go with it like more
supportive eating. |
| • |
Exercise
fills a void and creates a sense of purpose. (4) |
4.
Supporters of the exercise alternative
When the Chief Medical Officer was asked whether exercise could
play a role in combating the growing depression epidemic his answer
was a resounding yes. He stated: 'Physical activity is effective
in the treatment of clinical depression and can be as successful
as psychotherapy or medication, particularly in the longer term.'
(2)
Television presenter Trisha Goddard, who has a predisposition
to depression, says: 'When studies revealed that exercise was
a more effective way of handling depression that medicine alone,
it wasn't news to me. People often react with surprise when they
hear how I've built a daily cross-country run into my life. I'm
labelled an exercise fanatic, but I see what I do as a tried and
trusted way of living with a predisposition of depression rather
than suffering from it.' (3)
5.
Who's dropping the ball when it comes to passing on the message
So why isn't this filtering to GPs? With the Mental Health Foundation
(MHF) finding that only 5 % of GPs recommended an exercise programme
(the Independent article raises no mention of exercise as treatment
only Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). Well, for many people the 'what
to do?' and 'how to do it?' can be daunting experiences like joining
gyms. (2)
Fortunately organisations like the Mental Health Foundation have
been busy promoting the role of exercise. At the start of Mental
Health Action Week 2005, the MHF launched a year-long campaign
calling for patients with depression to be offered exercise on
prescription. There are now many programs linked with the NHS
and so as they say for more information, ask your local G.P.
6.
Questions to consider before undertaking an exercise routine:
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What
physical activities do I enjoy? |
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Do
I prefer group or individual activities? |
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What
programs best fit my schedule? |
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Do
I have physical conditions that limit my choice of exercise? |
| • |
What
goals do I have in mind? (For example, weight loss, strengthening
muscles, or improving flexibility or mood enhancement) |
7.
Conclusion
Sometimes the most simple common sense solutions are the ones
hardest to implement. Today we face epidemics like depression,
obesity and preventable diseases and the need for regular exercise
message is now greater than ever. Having been involved in teaching
and prescribing exercise for over 10 years I have no doubt that
regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools in overcoming
depression, and promoting health and wellbeing. So naturally it
is my drug of choice!
Your
3d Coach
Craig
Burton
References
(1) Prozac Nation, Jamie Doward, The Independent, 16th April,
2006
(2) GPs ignore 'sport not pill' advice for depression, Francis
Elliot and
Sophie Goodchild, The Observer, 27th
March 2005
(3) Effects of physical exercise on depression, neuroendocrine
stress hormones and physiological
fitness in adolescent
females with depressive symptoms, Eur
J Public Health, 2006
Apr;16(2):179-84
(4) Up and Running, Mental Health Foundation,
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/
exercisedepressionbooklet_patient.pdf
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