Depression Case Study

Heladóttír, Hallgren, Ekblom, Forsell (2016) sought to find an optimal dosage of exercise to elicit positive responses in those diagnosed with depression using three varying intensities. With frequency and duration kept consistent, 620 participants, including ages 18 to 67, were randomly assigned different treatment groups. These included (1) continuing their usual treatment, (2) light exercise like yoga, (3) moderate aerobic exercise, and (4) vigorous aerobic exercise. The training program lasted for 12 weeks, requiring subjects to exercise 55 minutes 3 times a week. The researchers measured depression severity at baseline and post-treatment while monitoring heart rate during every session using a monitor. Following the conclusion of the study, the results indicated that depression severity decreased in al exercise groups. However, the optimal dosage for exercise prescription remains uncertain. These findings suggest that light exercise, such as yoga, were more beneficial than the other intensities

James et al. (2007) noticed exercise has showed similar effect like antidepressant medication in reducing symptoms of depression in over 156 older MDD patients in his research study. They used graded treadmill exercise testing to check the fitness levels of all the patients before treatment . Researchers compared the effect of exercise on the symptoms of patient’s depression by involving participants in 4 groups .One group is under supervision and the other group involved in a home based program. The other two groups were under antidepressant medications Both exercise groups participated in 30minutes aerobic session such as walking or jogging on a treadmill including 10mins warm up at the beginning and 5 mins cool down at the end. james also mentioned that all the participants were monitored 3 times during their exercise session by checking their heart rates manually via radial pulses, along with ratings of perceived exertion and the home-based exercise group have been followed up by an exerxise physiologist monthly and taking feedback via phone calls every week in the first month and therafter

The following essay is a case study of a client named John who is suffering from major depression and was sent to see me for treatment by his concerned wife. I will provide brief background information about John then further discuss interventions and strategies I believe can be applied in each session with my client in order to make John's life more manageable. In the essay, I will be writing as the therapist, and the sessions are based on a ten week period.

Critically Analyse the Research Findings on the Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Anxiety and Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder which affects about 151 million people worldwide1

Physical activity has the ability to treat mild to moderate symptoms of depression, however, major depressive symptoms should be treated with drug therapy and psycho therapy (Artal, et al. 1998; Fontaine, 2000). Although the mechanistic relationship between depression and physical activity is not known, exercise can give a depressed person a feeling of accomplishment and a sense that they have taken some control back in their lives (Artal, et al. 1998). Intense sessions of physical activity also causes the release of Beta-endorphins which reduces pain and produces a relaxed feeling, which can ease the symptoms of depression (Artal, et al. 1998). The most important concept according to Osness and Mulligan (1998), however, is that short bouts of physical activity is not what is required to relieve depressive symptoms. It is a continuously physically active lifestyle that is more effective.

Sadness is an emotional response that is typically triggered by a difficult or hurtful event in a persons life. Whereas, depression is a mental illness that may or may not be set off by a specific trigger.

Since behavior implications is one of the common associations with depression. One must learn to change behavior to overcome the illness. It is clear that the case has been constructed around the impact of exercise reducing the risk of physical health problems such as CAD, some cancers, obesity, diabetes, and to a lesser extent musculo-skeletal problems such as low back pain and osteoporosis.(Biddle, Fox, Boutcher) To date, much less attention has been paid to the contribution of exercise to the prevention and treatment of the increasingly burgeoning problem of mental disorders, illnesses, and general mental malaise.(Biddle, Fox, Boutcher) Since the out booming influence of physical exercise to achieve optimal health, the focus has been on the productive effects towards physical health and attention has been overlooked towards the benefit in mental ailments.

Exercise is physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body and is used to improve physical health, enhance emotional well-being and maintain fitness (Exercise Definition, 2014). For this assignment, I will explore the mental and physical health benefits of exercise therapy and the potential it has in treating mental illness. Despite the benefits, it remains a neglected intervention amongst mental health professionals. Physical activity is not only beneficial to the physical health, but also the mental health. Persons with mental illness are at greater risk for developing metabolic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol

Client “B” has struggled with major depression for over 30 years- unable to work, poor hygiene,

Exercise for the treatment of depression has also been studied. A systematic review of the use of exercise for the treatment of depression found that exercise may have a medium-small effect in depression but the type, intensity and setting that are most beneficial could not be established(Cooney, Dwan K Fau - Greig et al.). This review also found that exercise may have similar effects as pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy but the evidence is based on two studies with a small number of patients. The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Clinical guidelines for the management of major depressive disorder in adults recommend exercise only as an adjunctive therapy for mild depression given the type and quality of the available evidence.(Ravindran, Lam et al.

Once the mechanisms have been considered, its important to assess intensity, duration and frequency of exercises and also which exercise types (aerobic and nonaerobic) can play a role in managing depression. The major effects are related to hard intensity and to frequency over 25-36 sessions. (5). Aerobic exercise is related to cardiorespiratory endurance and nonaerobic is related to muscular strength, flexibility, coordination and relaxation. Studies point out that aerobic exercise is better than placebo or no treatment for this disorder and has the same effectiveness of other psychotherapy treatments (6). Despite the short-outcomes, all results demonstrate that aerobic exercise is related to an antidepressive effect in depression from mild to moderate severity (6). The reduction in depression score is related to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max),

Depression is a disorder ranging in severity and affecting an individual’s emotions and behaviors as well as impairing everyday functioning (Woo & Wynne, 2011). The disorder is is often noted twice as often in women as men (Sassarini, 2016). With this in mind, G.F’s presentation of symptoms including, sadness, depression, crying, insomnia, increased appetite with the inability to concentrate and fatigue categorize her depression as major depression. The diagnosis of major depression includes, the presentation of 5 out of 9 symptoms which G.F. has and requires at least one symptom include feeling depressed or a loss of interest or lack of enjoying anything (Trangle et al., 2016). Other signs of major depression consist of G.F.’s unkemptness

This paper introduces a 35-year-old female who is exhibiting signs of sadness, lack of interest in daily activities and suicidal tendencies. She has no interest in hobbies, which have been very important to her in the past. Her lack of ambition and her suicidal tendencies are causing great concern for her family members. She is also exhibiting signs of hypersomnia, which will put her in dangerous situations if left untreated. The family has great concern about her leaving the hospital at this time, fearing that she may be a danger to herself. A treatment plan and ethical considerations will be discussed.

Comparing recent studies shows that there may be a link between exercises and reducing stress levels, there are a lot of disagreements with the duration and types of exercise that