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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Barbariana on November 2, 2000, at 21:40:44
Hello,
I have a question involving running. More of a pet peeve,
really. It seems every time one truns around, there
is a new study claiming to prove that running helps
depression.At first I was able to dismiss them with, "Oh the
study was done w/ mildly depressed folks -- doesn't
apply to me." The latest one I saw, however, was done on
severely depressed people. Now this hits closer to
home for a long time long distance runner who's,
w/ one
exception, long time sometimes severe depression
is unaffected by running for better (40 mi/wk
these days, did 70 for years, 80 briefly)
or worse (had several stretches w/ no running for 6-12
mo). This has been a 20+ yr phenomenon -- running
makes absolutely no difference to my depression that
I can see. The one exception was the 1st year I ran.
As my fitness improved, I had a sense of mastery &
control and was really happy about starting up this
sport with a team.
THIS is what I suspect is going on in those
studies because one hears lots of competitive runners
talk about the golden days of starting up and seeing
almost constant improvement. One can even see it in
running clubs when new people go through a steady period
of improvement. Those studies, aside from not being
double blind, aren't following people for more than
a year.Aside from being a pet peeve, I do think it is
important if suffering people are being given the
idea that running itself helps when it perhaps is
something about the process that is having an effect.
As much as I value running, it's not the most enticing
prospect when one is depressed. So better not to
make miserable people feel worse,
as if they arent doing everything to help themselves if
they aren't up for it. If it's the mastery or commraderie
having an effect than that would be important to know.
People could come up with their own version of an
activity that includes those features.So I'd love to hear whatever anyone has to say
on this topic, and why. I can take it if this turns
out to be an annoying example of life being unfair,
so let me hear your experiences, views,reactions please.
Sincerely,
B
Sincerely,
B
Posted by Snowie on November 4, 2000, at 11:54:49
In reply to Running and Depression, posted by Barbariana on November 2, 2000, at 21:40:44
Hi B,
I don't know about running per se, but one Babbler is an avid cyclist. His name is Paul, but I haven't seen him around lately. My personal opinion is that exercise in general offers a temporary relief from depression and other disorders. For instance, I have extreme bouts of anxiety, but when I line dance (which is very aerobic), I notice that my anxiety lessens. Perhaps it has something to do with the chemicals that the brain releases when one exercises that promotes a feeling of well-being. Anyway, that wasn't necessarily a scientific answer, but that's been my experience.
Snowie
> Hello,
> I have a question involving running. More of a pet peeve,
> really. It seems every time one truns around, there
> is a new study claiming to prove that running helps
> depression.
>
> At first I was able to dismiss them with, "Oh the
> study was done w/ mildly depressed folks -- doesn't
> apply to me." The latest one I saw, however, was done on
> severely depressed people. Now this hits closer to
> home for a long time long distance runner who's,
> w/ one
> exception, long time sometimes severe depression
> is unaffected by running for better (40 mi/wk
> these days, did 70 for years, 80 briefly)
> or worse (had several stretches w/ no running for 6-12
> mo). This has been a 20+ yr phenomenon -- running
> makes absolutely no difference to my depression that
> I can see. The one exception was the 1st year I ran.
> As my fitness improved, I had a sense of mastery &
> control and was really happy about starting up this
> sport with a team.
> THIS is what I suspect is going on in those
> studies because one hears lots of competitive runners
> talk about the golden days of starting up and seeing
> almost constant improvement. One can even see it in
> running clubs when new people go through a steady period
> of improvement. Those studies, aside from not being
> double blind, aren't following people for more than
> a year.
>
> Aside from being a pet peeve, I do think it is
> important if suffering people are being given the
> idea that running itself helps when it perhaps is
> something about the process that is having an effect.
> As much as I value running, it's not the most enticing
> prospect when one is depressed. So better not to
> make miserable people feel worse,
> as if they arent doing everything to help themselves if
> they aren't up for it. If it's the mastery or commraderie
> having an effect than that would be important to know.
> People could come up with their own version of an
> activity that includes those features.
>
> So I'd love to hear whatever anyone has to say
> on this topic, and why. I can take it if this turns
> out to be an annoying example of life being unfair,
> so let me hear your experiences, views,reactions please.
> Sincerely,
> B
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
> B
Posted by S. Howard on November 5, 2000, at 1:17:45
In reply to Re: Running and Depression » Barbariana, posted by Snowie on November 4, 2000, at 11:54:49
Sure running helps depression, at least temporarily, because you get that endorphin high
going after a certain point. Unless you're in the military, and you spend all night drinking, and you have to get up an hour later and run 2 or 3 miles. Then you just get sick.
Posted by JennyR on November 9, 2000, at 16:12:46
In reply to Running and Depression, posted by Barbariana on November 2, 2000, at 21:40:44
Actually, it does help me. When I'm out there running, I do feel better and for a little while after. Also, I'm at my worst depression-wise in the late Fall and winter, which is when I run less. One thought is that your high mileage might be over-training, which will have the opposite effects. The most weekly mileage I get to is low 40's and that's when I'm training for a marathon. (Unable to gear up for one this year, though) >
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