Essay about Exercise and Depression

Many researches indicated that exercise have impact on mental disorders such as depression. Depression is a common problem that affects many people’s lives directly or indirectly, through their family members or friends. This paper will introduce the definition of exercise and depression, what the influence that exercise have on depression, biological supportive reason, under what circumstance the treatment have the best influence and the negative effects on certain condition.

Depression is widespread public health concern of major significance. According to The World Health Organization (WHO) depression is within the top five leading causes of disability globally. The decline in the quality of life is accompanied with major distress and their capacity for social, interpersonal, and the physical role of functioning become debilitated in adults with this ailment. Many adults seeking help are disinclined to accept antidepressant medication to aid them in their recovery, or they simply are unable to tolerate the side effects of them. So, what other options do they have to aid them in their recovery?

This study discussed the research on exercise as an alternative treatment for adolescents suffering from depression. Adolescents participated in a randomized control trial as the researchers measured differences between two different types of intervention (EXER and STRETCH group). The results showed improvements for both groups, but some varying differences, with the EXER group showing more significant improvements. Overall, the results are hopeful but strengths and weaknesses need to be considered.

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.

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

When I was a kid I used to have a hard time expressing how I felt, and I couldn’t ever reach out for help. I was always the quiet kid in class. Until one day my friends invited me to this new exercise class. After I had went about 3 times I noticed my mood had significantly changed. It was like I became a new person, who laughed and had a good time. I thought my hard times were just a stage I went through. But I decided to look into it. After research, I conclude that exercise can actually help your mood, and improve your quality of life.

Depression is characterized by having five or more depressive symptoms such as loss of pleasure, depressed mood, weight loss, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation, loss of energy, guilt, worthlessness etc. Major depressive disorder is characterized by these same feelings but they have to be present for most days of the week for at least two weeks, must be a change from previous emotions, and are accompanied by somatic, cognitive or affective symptoms. In addition to the significant mental disturbance associated with depression individuals with depression have a 2-4 fold increased risk of adverse health outcomes, specifically cardiac conditions such as coronary heart disease. Once diagnosed with cardiac conditions having depressive symptoms worsens the prognosis, and increases the risk of death after a cardiac event. Blumenthal et all conducted multiple randomized control trials to compare aerobic exercise to antidepressant therapy in individuals with major depressive disorder. In the first standard medical intervention vs long term exercise study 156 adults were randomized into groups. The first group only completed aerobic exercise, the second only used pharmacologic therapy utilizing sertraline, and the last group utilized a combination of sertraline and exercise. Those in the

Mental health is a major concern for the general population, but especially for university students (Reeves et al., 2011; Hunt and Eisenberg, 2010; Biddle and Asare, 2011). It is important to look at what causes mental health issues, such as psychological distress, and what can be done to help eliminate or treat them (Hunt and Eisenberg, 2010; Knowlden, Hackman, and Sharma, 2015; Biddle and Asare, 2011). One possible factor when looking at what could influence psychological distress is physical activity (Knowlden, Hackman, and Sharma, 2015). There have been countless studies on the role that exercise plays in mental (Knowlden, Hackman, and Sharma, 2015; Biddle and Asare, 2011; Mailey et al., 2012). Physical activity has been

The one research study I wanted to focus on was the “Effects of Exercise on Depression” because I wanted to learn more about exercise helping depression or anxiety, so I performed some extra research. One of the research study site I visited was called, “Exercise for Stress and Anxiety” by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Another research study site I visited was called, “The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed” by Lynette L. Craft and Frank M. Perna. One claim made by the article “Effects of Exercise on Depression” says, “80 male and female volunteers . . . then did aerobics for an hour. That group was most likely to benefit, reporting a reduction in anger, fatigue, and tension (“Effects of Exercise on Depression” 1).” According to this article, after people who suffered from depression exercised, they reported less of their symptoms

Exercise is great for the human body and does have a positive outcome for mood disorders. When people exercise, the improvement of mood begins because of the elevated endorphin levels are produced by the body during the session. During exercise the chemicals that are released into the brain can trigger upbeat feelings and change the perception of pain. Endorphins have been shown to provide a boost for us both mentally and physically. Some of the other programs that may help children with their depression are afterschool activities, community center programs or clubs with children around the same age.

It is now a very well-documented fact that constant and moderate physical exercise (especially aerobic exercise) has beneficial effects on overall health, physically and mentally. At the psychological level, it reduces anxiety and stress, improves self-esteem and self-confidence, and improves cognition. The uplifting effect of physical exercise stems from the release of substances, such as endorphins, which provide a sense of peace, tranquility, and pleasure. These uplifting effects conteract the unhealthy moods and neurological states correlated with depression.

Approximately 20.9 million adults in the United States are currently coping with depression or a mood or anxiety disorder, and this number is seemingly on the rise (Mental Disorders In America). It is becoming more and more likely for people in the United States to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety. However, this number only accounts for the number of individuals who choose to seek professional help or medical treatment, because many people are not even aware that they could be depressed. Most of the patients that are being treated are using a variety of different techniques and medicines to enhance their mood. Some of the most popular antidepressant medications that doctors are currently prescribing are

This is disturbing, not only because so many people are missing out on the physical benefits that result from exercise, but on the mental benefits that result from exercise as well

The topic that I chose to write about was depression and exercise. I have personal experience with this topic so I have an interest in reading and writing about this topic. This discussion deals with the relationship between exercising and depression. Many people believe that exercising helps with depression and boosts your mood, happiness and overall enjoyment of life. This is important because over 350 million people around the globe suffer from depression, 18 million of those people being in the United States. Many researchers, including some psychologists, believe exercise to be a way to help many psychological problems, including depression. In this paper, I will be talking about depression and exercise, what exercise can do not only

Exercise can also benefit depressed patients on a cognitive and psychological level. A study focusing on the effect of exercise on self-efficacy and self-esteem in older adults suggested that exercise can improve participants’ constructs of self-esteem, body esteem and self-worth (McAuley et al., 2000). The manifestation of physiological and psychological improvements in the individual potential could potentially yield a sense of accomplishment for him/her. This can then begin a positive reinforcement cycle which can encourage the patient to exercise more, with its physiological and psychological benefits.