Running to alleviate depression?

Fortunately for me, I don't have any god in my life, so I have to fix things for myself.

I have found that exercise of any kind seems to help with depression.

The difficult part, however, is that when I feel depressed I often don't want to exercise. Once I
get that first foot out of the door I'm OK.

Hope this helps you.

Lewis.

*****************************

--
Lewis.

......................... "sydenhams chorea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?", but as
another thread has touched on the issue of medicated runners I was wondering if any of you are
running in an attempt to

alleviate

Quoted message said:

depression, whether diagnosed or otherwise.

Did it work for you? Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the
problem? Is running practiced by those with OCD?

Does

Quoted message said:

it help you?

It's actually quite an interesting subject. Without being too specific,

my

Quoted message said:

life has seen considerable successes and equally considerable failures. Whilst - thank God - I've
never fallen into the Dark Pit Of Depression, running has provided a balancing element in my life.
When things were

bad,

Quoted message said:

at least I could run and, in some way, I knew that things would eventually improve. Conversely,
when life became a whirl of interviews and parties, running made me remember that simplicity and
honest effort are important.

Anyway, enough about me. The floor is yours...

Roger.

It's not that complex. Running can be an elixir for whatever ails you. It's that simple. It can be
rewarding and fulfilling in many ways, it can introduce you to a lot of new experiences and people.
Note it will require you to be disciplined, focused, drive you to persevere.....it will challenge
you mentally and physically.

I can't speak for running to alleviate depression as I know little about any
psychological or emotional illness or disease. However I do know running can in sum be a true elixir
for whatever ails you...from my experience...

Andrew....

sydenhams chorea said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?", but as
another thread has touched on the issue of medicated runners I was wondering if any of you are
running in an attempt to alleviate depression, whether diagnosed or otherwise.

There's several fruittie-cakes here. Don't you even read this NG Roidger?

[[ This message was both posted and mailed: see the "To," "Cc," and "Newsgroups" headers for
details. ]]

In article <[email hidden]>, sydenhams chorea

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if any of you are running in an attempt to alleviate depression, whether diagnosed
or otherwise.

Did it work for you? Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the
problem? Is running practiced by those with OCD? Does it help you?

Some posts from 1999 on Running and Depression

Ozzie

From: Tuvia

Hi. I am a runner and ran my first marathon last January and am looking forward to the next one.
My sister has been suffering depression for a while now, and I got her to start training slowly
for NY Marathon 2001--to sort of help her look forward to something and also in hopes of breaking
this depression which has been with her for a year now. I even told her that I heard of a case
where someone rid themselves of depression by training and running a marathon. Does anyone know of
anyone whom has been helped with their depression by running? Please let me know so that I can
pass on the good news to her. Or any other information to help a depressed person and their
running. Thanks, Tuvia

=============
The following is from _Professional Psychology: Research and Practice_ (an American Psychological
Association journal), June 1999:

"There is now considerable evidence that regular exercise is a viable, cost-effective, but underused
treatment for mild to moderate depression that compares favorably to individual psychotherapy, group
psychotherapy, and cognitive therapy."

Read the whole article online at apa.orgpro303275.htmlOpen ↗
====
Bottom line: do be sure she gets some professional advice, but the running is quite likely to do
some good as well.

Check "Runner's World" magazine. It sometimes has stories of men and women who have used running as
a way to get out of depression.

This morning I was just reading the September issue I just got. Check out "Women's Running" (page
22) and "Motivation" (page 36).
=====

From: Megs Subject: Re: running and depression

Well, I have bipolar disorder (type 1, mixed type, with psychotic features...), and running has
allowed me to cut WAY back on my medication. Furthermore, as long as I run fairly regularly I do not
experience nearly as many psychiatric symptoms. Also, if I'm in a depressed phase and can force
myself to get into my Nikes and out the door, my mood lifts about 90% of the time. I'm NOT saying
that running can cure psychiatric disorders; I'm simply saying that for ME, the exercise is THE most
helpful part of managing my illness. Good luck!
=======

From: Wes Newsgroups: rec.running Subject: Re: running and depression Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999
16:29:03 -0500

Well, doesn't that beat all.. I thought I was the only one that knew running was a powerful weapon
against depression. I was planning on becoming a phsychiatrist and being the first to actually
perscribe running. It just gives you a sense of accomplishment, it makes you feel good about
yourself, it gives you something to do when you are bored, it makes you look better, it gives you
something to look foward to, it relaxes you, it allows you to get out your anger, it just does so
many things, and you can do it alone or with someone. Running is a great trait. =)
--
wes

==============

From: "Itsey C." Subject: Re: running and depression Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 16:49:48 -0400

Hi Tuvia

I've struggled with depression for a lot of years in my life, and running has become an integral
part of managing it for me. The regular excercise helps me to manage my mood from day to day and
makes it much easier to maintain a positive outlook.

Additionally, part of my depression is to have persistent anxiety which frequently manifests itself
in streams of negative thinking. In contrast, when I run, I often experience what I can only
describe as uncontrollable happy thoughts! I don't know if it's endorphins or what, but I find
myself involuntarily reviewing happy experiences and, more astounding to me, fantasizing good
outcomes for future situations -- the polar opposite of what I might do when sitting still. In fact,
I often find myself laughing aloud when I run my regular loop. OK, others may take that as evidence
of complete nuttiness, but I know it's all good!

Of course I have bad days/runs too, but the running has become an absolutely necessary part of my
life, and a road to joyfulness and freedom from care that I once thought I might never experience.
Just be sure your sister sets realistic goals to avoid disappointment and injury, and I hope that
she'll find satisfaction from it! Good luck! Itsey
===========

From: (BAX333) Subject: Re: running and depression

Hi Tuvia, I've gone a few rounds with depression myself. I didn't realize how much my running was
helping me until I pulled my hamstring and had to quit running for 6-8 weeks. I thought I was going
to explode! Running definitely helps with my depression, I can't wait until my injury is really 100%
healed so I can stop having to be so careful regarding hills and speed. BAX
===========

From: (LJDogger)

In my job (I'm an occupational therapist) I often work with people in chronic pain. Chronic pain and
depression are very closely correlated; where there is chronic pain, there is almost always
depression (the opposite is not always true).

I've found that aerobic exercise, in moderation, is a very effetive tool for managing chronic pain
and depression. I often have people with whom I'm working start walking on a treadmill at low speeds
for short distances and gradually increase speed, distance and grade. In addition, I encourage them
to start a walking program three or four times a week while at home.

I've found this pretty successful in that many of these patients are very deconditioned and greatly
benefit from aerobic and endurance activities. Many are also afraid of doing anything to increase
their level of pain and find that, under the supervision of a qualified health-care professional,
they can do more than they originally thought. This gives them a sense of accomplishment and causes
them to focus less on their pain, instead looking at the positive.

I know this isn't directly related to running, but I thought it might further the discussion along.
=======
From: (Tim Wittman)

Please contact me by email. There is a great book your sister should read. It's called "The Exercise
Prescription for Depression & Anxiety." Yes, running will provide definite and powerful relief for
depression. It won't "cure" it . . .that takes therapy . . .but running or other forms of aerobic
exercise are the very best treatment for depression around. Let's talk! Tim
============
From: (JAMES McCARRON)

Six years ago ( ok, it will be six years Aug. 29th) I quit smoking. It was a very difficult thing to
do. After a few months I became depressed like I had never been before. I saw a psychiatrist who
prescribed an antidepressant, Paxil. This seemed to work but I didn't like the side effects, mainly
excessive sleepiness. About 6 months later I read an article about how running can help depression.
I gave it a try. It really helped me a lot. A few months later I told my doctor about how the
running made me feel better and he took me off the Paxil. He said that he would much prefer to
prescribe an exercise like running but that very few would ever listen to him, so he prescribes
pills. I've been running ever since.
==============

From: Ivo van der Putten

A major danger could be, that if you are just get accustomed to running and are liking it, you
injure yourselve thus stopping the running.

Many mentally very healthy runners will face depression in such cases . .
===========

From: Josef Makower

I can refer to myself as I have recurrent depressions since the
70:ies. When moderatly depressed I can hardly run and running is a pain in itself. More severe
depresion and I cannot run at all, instead I take a cab to my doctor 😉) In between depressions
is the time to run ! So I would say: get help for your depression by going to doctor. I you can
run then do it but get help in the first place.
============

From: elenav

Please get your sister to a doctor. I struggled with depression all my life. I finally at 38 saw a
therapist and he helped me immensely. But, it is a vicious cycle. You feel better and then you cycle
down again. All through this I kept running. It helped but was not a cure all. In the end, he made
me see a psychiartist. He put me on Zoloft and it was the best thing I could have done. Your sister
must find out if she has a chemical imbalance and go from there. Do not waste time. I did and it
cost me an extra year. All I could think about was living is too hard and dying surely had to be
easier. If she has any of these thoughts at all PLEASE get her professional help! At almost 41 I am
happier and healthier than I have ever been in my whole adult life. I thank God that I have a
wonderful husband. I don't know how he went through all this. Especially now, looking back at all
the hell I put him in.
===========

From: (Agtabby)

I became very depressed, while I was training for a marathon. The running did not help the
depression in this case. It is hard to describe what depression is like, let me just say you are not
just a litte blue. It can be very bad.

Running cab help in some cases, activity in general is considered good for depression. In cases of
bad depression several studies have shown the best treatment is combination of counseling and
medication. This has helped me a great deal (serzone, makes me a little drowzy but works).

I am not against running, I just don't think it is a miracle cure. Exercise will help with
depression, as will all activity. Geeze, exercise is good for almost everyone, period.

But remember that the recommendation of the medical community is still medication + therapy. Andrew
==============

From: Renee

I don't suffer from depression, but I do struggle with anxiety, specifically with claustrophobia.
When I began a running program earlier this year, I was *amazed* at how much less often I was
dealing with claustrophobia, and how much easier it was to deal with it when I did feel that way. I
got back in touch with the counselor who helped me several years ago, just this past week, and told
him about this. He was *very* enthusiastic about my running, and told me to be sure to find some
*other* source for aerobic exercise until my shins heal (another story, and very boring!) Anyway, he
remarked about "dumping endorphins," and felt very good about my having found a "natural remedy" for
the anxiety problems.

Tell your sister to GO FOR IT! If *I* can do it, anyone can. I used to think I would *hate* running;
now I am hooked. Good luck! Renee
--
meginc.comrebaOpen ↗ meginc.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, sydenhams chorea

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if any of you are running in an attempt to alleviate depression, whether diagnosed
or otherwise.

From: [email hidden] (Jenn e fir) Newsgroups: rec.running Date: 01 Jan 2002 20:45:12 GMT Subject:
Re: Depression-A Stepping Stone To Learning: More Ramblings

<< Subject: Re: Depression-A Stepping Stone To Learning: More Ramblings of a Running Therapist From:
Ozzie Gontang >>

<< Thanks for your kind compliment. Or was your statement a question in disguise? >>

Boys, boys. Mr. H.C. was being sarcastic and Mr. Oz-man was quite aware of the sarcasm, and
therefore, in his reply, was being disingenuous.

Perhaps what you need is the Cliff-Notes version of the Depression text or perhaps just another
"fractured" approach. Life's too short to be too serious.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Depression-A Stepping Stone To Learning:

More Ramblings of a Running Therapist ©2000 by Austin "Ozzie" Gontang, Ph.D.>>

Depression - A Stone by Any Other Name is Heavy and Hurts when it Lands on Your Head (copyright,
blah, blah, blah...quote this, steal this, claim it as your own, I could care less).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The word "job" comes from the AngloSaxon and means a lump.>>

And of course, lump is derived from the British bumf, which is slang for toilet paper.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

At the beginning of the industrial revolution there were critics who said

that man was never made to do a lump of work. >>

And as you all know, "critic" is derived from the Greek and meant "know-it-all in a toga."

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He needs to be part of the bigger picture, a part

of the community (communitas:being one with others): building the clock tower, the town center, the
cobble stone roads in and out of the city, supplying the needs of the community.>>

Translation? "No man is an island," however when work is involved, give a man a job and he'll bring
home a paycheck. Give a man a community or government job and he'll demand coffee breaks and leave
early at the end of the day with half of the office supplies in his arms.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There is a great deal of pathos when we realize that today we continually

talk about losing our "lumps.">>

There is however less pathos and more panic when we discuss the possibility of losing our bumf.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Carl Jung >>

Pronounced CHAJJUUUNGGGGEE.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spoke of Depression as a form of Inflation and also as a way the

soul(psyche/unifying personal force/or whatever you want to call it) digs down into the unconscious
and dredges up out of the depths something on which the individual can work and grow. Maybe it is
akin to the Learning Organization within the individual.>>

Translation? Try to figure out what made you depressed then spend thousands of dollars obsessing
about it on a couch with a therapist.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The Inflation

"My depression is so bad I can't sleep more than 3 hours a night." "Well, mine is so bad that not
only can I not sleep more than 2 hours, I'm unable to do my job like I once did, and I may lose a
job which I've had for 15 years because we're right-sizing." "If you think, yours is bad, I wake up
every day knowing that I wish my life were over." >>

This is just typical Freud, who was a typical guy. Give a guy a problem and he's always gotta whine
and complain about how his is bigger, or longer, or tougher.

Guy 1: I'm depressed Guy 2: I'm really depressed. Guy 1: Well, I can hardly sleep. Guy 2: I can't
sleep at all.

Guy 2: Queer.

Guy 1: And did I tell you I can't sleep.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Being locked into the negative spiral of depression one soars to the heights

of inflating one's Herculean burden. An interesting contrast if one can step outside of one's
thinking for even a moment.>>

Guy 1: Still can't sleep. Guy 2: I'm going to kill myself Guy 1: Me too, with a 44 caliber Guy 2: I
have a 50 caliber Guy 1: 55

[at this point a football game appears on the TV and the depression vanishes]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The Dredge

Am I fulfilling my purpose in life? What is my purpose in life? I said I wanted to achieve this
position and I have...now what? Is this what all this work and dedication and committment get me? "I
know...but I don't have time to reflect...I'm too busy just trying to make it." >>

Translation. You're broke from spending tons of cash at the therapist, you recognize your own
mortality, you visit the Doctor who whips out the GLOVES, mutters something about "your connunter
valve has ecclesiastical occusions," then reassures you that it happens to most guys your age.
You've never climbed Everest, never swam the Nile. All you've really achieved is ear hair and the
ability to fart on demand. Depressed? Damn right.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I know there is Clinical Depression and I know how it effects the life of the

individual suffering from it, and even more so those who live with and love that individual.>>

Translation. You're depressed; it sucks.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In a Learning Organization, perceptions are continually being altered. So if

a person charts their life with its high points and low points, the line graph goes above the
midline and then dips below the midline (like graphing profits and losses over time).>>

Translation. That's the way life is: There's good times, and bad times.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Below the line when low enough is depression...above the line...doing good,

better or great.>>

Umm...a little redundant. But that's the way life is: good times, bad times.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The continuity however is that the individual is going from point A to B

along the midline and then evaluating good above the line and bad below the line. The problem is
often when in depression or below the line, the individual has forgotten when he or she is
heading ... or where they're going wasn't big enough to encompass the loss of a job or a
significant change.>>

Translation. When things are bad, they'll likely get better.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you use the sailing metaphor, I want to go from point A to B...which is a

straight line. Even when I put my course on the wall so everyone can see it, I don't identify the
above the line points of my course as good and the below the line points of my course as bad...they
are merely "tacks.">>

Argh, I just hate the sailing metaphors.

Seek some variety. I bet no one has ever done a bowling metaphor. To get to a good score, you'll
roll a few gutter balls (bad times, dark deep depression), pick up some spares (ok times), a strike
or two (really good times), and have a beer or two (great times). At the end when you see a 220 and
think, "Great game" you'll probably not recall the bad times that got you there.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I purchased "The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in

Corporate America" by David Whyte for all the CEOs and Presidents in a group I facilitate for The
Executive Committee (TEC). It brings to life, the point in each of our lives and the lives of those
we serve in corporate settings where:>>

Translation. I bought this book.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Nel mezzo del cammin

De nostra vita Mi retrovai Per un oscure selva.

Commedia Dante Alighieri>>

It was in ancient italian.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In the middle of the road of my life

I awoke in a dark wood where the true way was wholly lost.>>

Ever been lost in Rome? All those little cobblestone roads. Now everyone says that "all roads lead
to Rome," but what if you're in Rome? What then? Just don't try asking directions. All the freakin'
hand gestures and chatter. I see where Dante got his 3 lines or prose.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Whyte goes on to say: "In three brief lines Dante says that the journey

begins right here. In the middle of the road. Right beneath your feet. This is the place. There is
no other place and no other time. Even if you are successful and follow the road you have set
yourself, you can never leave here. Despite everything you have achieved, life refuses to grant you,
and always will refuse to grant you, immunity from its difficulities." p. 27 (The Heart Aroused.
David Whyte. Currency Doubleday, ©1994, 1996)>>

Translation. So this dude Whyte, coins a few phrases like "Every Day is a New Beginning," "One Day
at a Time," prints up a few posters and earns a mint selling motivational literature while these
Quote Freaks croon and coo about how inspired they are.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's interesting what an hour's walk or run will do for any kind of

depression. >>

If today is an example, depression will turn to suicide. 24 Degrees, headwinds in all
directions...oops...I've digressed. Translation? Depressed? Try a walk or run.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And as Lee Thayer, one of my mentor's, told me when I asked how long will it

take before I get better, "As long as it takes to get better. And you know that better is the
comparitive of "good" so you must be getting there. But when you get there, it becomes your
"here." >>

Translation: Oz: How long will it take to get better? Mentor: Depends on your insurance coverage.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But you're here already so what do you need to do to let go of that thought

and just be....here....now.>>

No cancelation without 24 hour notice.

Quoted message said:

You're alive, Oz, and Eternity means outside of time, so when you're running

you're either doing your being or being doing your running.>>

Deal with it; it's all you got.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hmmmmm, I said to myself and let the thought go and enjoyed my run and used

it as an entrance into being outside of time.>>

"Outside of time?" ... Sorry, I got nothing.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There was a man who was afraid of his shadow and hated the sound of his

footsteps. He hit upon a way to escape his shadow and the sound of his foot steps. He started to run
and he trained harder and harder and became the fastest man in his country. Yet he could not get
away from his shadow northe sound of his footsteps. >>

Translation. There was this really A) Stupid or B) Paranoid man, who tried to run from his
footprints.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He went out into the vast plains and ran as fast

as he could but his shadow stayed up with him and sound of his footsteps could be heard by him. >>

I'm thinking stupid.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He ran faster and faster and faster until out of

sheer exhaustion he fell over dead.>>

I'm right, right?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He did not realize that had he stopped he would no longer hear his footsteps

and had he sat down in the shade, his shadow would have disappeared.>>

And Oz agreed.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thank you Chuang Tzu.>>

-----------------

Jennifer

Leah responding to Doug's comments to Jenn e fir:

--On Tuesday said:

Jenn e fir wrote:

[ snipped bunch of stereotypical sarcasm ]

Lot's of cheap shots at therapists, their counseling abilities, values, mores and reference to
costs for their services.

The true irony is this is coming from a lawyer. I'm sure you are exception to the rule but isn't
this oxymoronic at best? When it comes to the food chain value, values, etc, the legal profession
in general ranks with whale excretion. Of course, I'm sure you are the exception to the
stereotypical "shyster" image.

As for all the guy shots, you sure sound like the angry [censored] wielding I hate all men, female.

Do you play this hard ass role because it is really you, or are you actually a sweet pushover
with a Walter Mitty syndrome? She doth protest too much! Might I suggest a little time on the
leather couch?

What are you, hung over? Where's your legendary sense of humor? Oz just got his Jenn-treatment like
all the rest of us have got ours in the past, and deservedly so. Just because he's your rec.running
godhead, he's not exempt.

L - Therapizes about as well as Oz writes, but that's okay because we're all good at something and
not everybody can be good at everything.

In article <[email hidden]>,

sydenhams chorea said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?", but as
another thread has touched on the issue of medicated runners I was wondering if any of you are
running in an attempt to alleviate depression, whether diagnosed or otherwise.

Did it work for you? Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the
problem? Is running practiced by those with OCD? Does it help you?

It's actually quite an interesting subject. Without being too specific, my life has seen
considerable successes and equally considerable failures. Whilst - thank God - I've never fallen
into the Dark Pit Of Depression, running has provided a balancing element in my life. When things
were bad, at least I could run and, in some way, I knew that things would eventually improve.
Conversely, when life became a whirl of interviews and parties, running made me remember that
simplicity and honest effort are important.

Anyway, enough about me. The floor is yours...

Roger.

hey Roger, we've ALL got issues, whether big or small or critical or not. i've had a [censored] couple
of years after a layoff from my job of 11 years. for quite a while i didn't think it affected me
much... take a little time off to regroup, look for work, and so on. but jobs just weren't there, so
i took a shot at self-employment and that couldn't sustain me. more job search, then much
self-doubt... now what - go back to school and retrain? anyway, long story short: along the way, i
have hit the peaks and valleys with my mood. i never got to the point of medication or even therapy
(other than running or eating some junk food), but i had the occasional *terrible* day or week.
running got me through it all, and it continues to keep me healthy and at least somewhat sane. and
it gives me the endorphin boost that i need to keep positive while i deal with financial issues,
plug away at the job market, and so on.

and yes, now and then i found that my time spent working out interfered with the more important
things in life, which led to some more spiralling downward. but i've since fine-tuned things to
achieve greater balance and am able to function as a human being more consistently.

and for me, running is meditation time. i don't think about anything but the running that i am doing
at that moment.

if you are going through a bad spell, stick with the running, but be prepared to adjust the volume
or intensity if you find the balance in life is out of kilter. best of luck,

Cam

--
Not every race can be a perfect experience, but every race can be a learning experience.

I couldn't have said it any better myself!

"Globaldisc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It's not that complex. Running can be an elixir for whatever ails you.

It's

Quoted message said:

that simple. It can be rewarding and fulfilling in many ways, it can introduce you to a lot of new
experiences and people. Note it will

require

Quoted message said:

you to be disciplined, focused, drive you to persevere.....it will

challenge

Quoted message said:

you mentally and physically.

I can't speak for running to alleviate depression as I know little about

any

Quoted message said:

psychological or emotional illness or disease. However I do know running

can

Quoted message said:

in sum be a true elixir for whatever ails you...from my experience...

Andrew....

"sydenhams chorea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Did it work for you?

Only as an anecdote of one: friend of a friend: was known as a happy runner and an infrequent racer
- but running couldn´t stop his bouts of deep, "every living moment is like drowning under a ton of
mud" kind of depression which led to periods of voluntary hospital treatment. During one such period
he left the grounds in his running gear and jumped in front of a train.

Anders

In message <[email hidden]>, "sydenhams chorea"

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if any of you are running in an attempt to alleviate depression, whether diagnosed
or otherwise.

Did it work for you? Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the
problem? Is running practiced by those with OCD?

Does

Quoted message said:

it help you?

I have been diagnosed with mild/moderate depression and have a specific OCD-like condition. I take a
moderately high dosage of Prozac for treatment of both. I began "running" in '96 because I needed
the c/v conditioning: the men in my family have a nasty habit of dying at a young age. I say
"running" for two reasons: I'm not very fast (10 min miles - is "jogging" better?) and my thin New
England blood can't handle muggy MD summers, so I only go 5 - 7 months out of the year.

If that qualifies me to participate in this discussion, then here goes.

I can't say that my running has had any impact - in either direction - on my emotional imbalances.
It does wonders for my blood pressure, and has provided a real sense of accomplishment, but no real
effect on depression. In fact, the reverse is true: I have often "quit" during a run or been unable
to get out the door, which I attribute to depression.

This may not be the type of input you were expecting, but your post caught my attention, and you did
give up the floor (which I now yield as well)...

Loosh
--
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(Anders Lustig) said:

"sydenhams chorea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Did it work for you?

Only as an anecdote of one: friend of a friend: was known as a happy runner and an infrequent racer
- but running couldn´t stop his bouts of deep, "every living moment is like drowning under a ton of
mud" kind of depression which led to periods of voluntary hospital treatment. During one such
period he left the grounds in his running gear and jumped in front of a train.

<SPLAT

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?"

Not quite, we all know that everyone masturbates whether or not they want to admit it. I'd bet even
Justin Timberpond hit it a lick now and then even though he was hooked up with Britney, now what
could possibly be better than that? Anyway as for your question, supposedly the brain produces a
chemical, endorphins if memory serves me correctly, when you exercise. There has been some research
that supports the theory that the release of these endorphins in the brain produce a sense of well
being which would of course help combat depression. An acquaintance who was on anti-depresants told
me his doctor had told him a certain amount of exercise would produce the same effect as his
medicine. I can't remember what the mileage/time was he'd quoted. Obviously exercise isn't helping
my memory but at least I'm not depressed about being forgetful. 8-)

sydenhams chorea said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?"

You mean in the sense that it's a rotten trick, because I'd have to interrupt a perfectly decent
[censored] just to put my hand up?

Nothing wrong with an honest toss. Or two. Keeps the pipes from scaling up.

There again I was told by my Mum that it makes you depressed when you get to 40. Should've
listened to her eh? Speak up man! Can't hear a thing your saying! What? Confound the fellow, he's
miming at me now.

Quoted message said:

Did it work for you?

I started running while depressed and on Anafranil. Who knows if running helped any more than the
molecules. I fancy that it did, but not necessarily for any direct chemical reasons.

When consulting for this latest bout, both family doc and psychiatrist suggested that if I hadn't
relapsed very quickly, after changing regions twice in two years and right in the middle of personal
reconstruction, it was largely thanks to the running (or rather the positive image I had of myself
as a runner).

They suggested very firmly that I not stop running at any costs, at least until the Zoloft did it's
magic. I was even allowed extra "permission to leave the house" hours to go running (normally, the
ill are confined to domicile except from 10-12h, 14-16h).

Quoted message said:

Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the problem.

Yes. This is a big part of why I can't get as enthusiastic about it since February/March.

But again, it's not the running itself, more the fact that I got some decent positive feedback from
friends met through running, and sweet [censored] adams at home, so I was spending "too much" (not my
expression) time with the friends.

"sydenhams chorea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know this is akin to asking you to put your hand up when asked "Do you masturbate?", but as
another thread has touched on the issue of medicated runners I was wondering if any of you are
running in an attempt to

alleviate

Quoted message said:

depression, whether diagnosed or otherwise.

Did it work for you? Did you reach a level in running where it (running) became part of the
problem? Is running practiced by those with OCD?

Does

Quoted message said:

it help you?

My experience, it can help but I don't know that it can alleviate severe depression and anxiety on
it's own. It may be enough to make things manageable for someone who doesn't have full blown
clinical depression. I tend to ruminate when depressed, not really OCD. During my last major episode
I found that this was at it's worse when running, it made running almost unbearable. Running didn't
become part of the problem, the problem was reflected in my running as it was in every aspect of my
life. When I was out running a tempo today and feeling slow I remembered a few years ago when I was
half hoping to be struck by a truck when I was out running so as to put an end to my misery. Not
going as fast as I wanted today didn't seem to be all that disconcerting upon reflection.

Quoted message said:

It's actually quite an interesting subject. Without being too specific,

my

Quoted message said:

life has seen considerable successes and equally considerable failures. Whilst - thank God - I've
never fallen into the Dark Pit Of Depression, running has provided a balancing element in my life.
When things were

bad,

Quoted message said:

at least I could run and, in some way, I knew that things would eventually improve. Conversely,
when life became a whirl of interviews and parties, running made me remember that simplicity and
honest effort are important.

Anyway, enough about me. The floor is yours...

Roger.

Ozzie Gontang said:

From: [email hidden] (Jenn e fir) Newsgroups: rec.running Date: 01 Jan 2002 20:45:12 GMT Subject:
Re: Depression-A Stepping Stone To Learning: More Ramblings

<< Subject: Re: Depression-A Stepping Stone To Learning: More Ramblings of a Running Therapist
From: Ozzie Gontang >>

<< Thanks for your kind compliment. Or was your statement a question in disguise? >>

Boys, boys. Mr. H.C. was being sarcastic and Mr. Oz-man was quite aware of the sarcasm, and
therefore, in his reply, was being disingenuous.

Perhaps what you need is the Cliff-Notes version of the Depression text or perhaps just another
"fractured" approach. Life's too short to be too serious.

Where is the woman when I need her most?

(Jtiche) said:

Not quite, we all know that everyone masturbates whether or not they want to admit it. I'd bet even
Justin Timberpond hit it a lick now and then even though he was hooked up with Britney,

Being hookedup with Britney is the reason he masturbated.

Quoted message said:

now what could possibly be better than that?

Death.

seve common said:

I started running while depressed and on Anafranil.

Oh so now another lie is exposed. You stated you never had any mental problems.

I think I probably contributed to this subject before... a while back... but here I go again.

Back in 1971, coming home from "summer vacation" in Southeast asia. I was PTSD before they gave it
that name. My cousin, a student at the time, had taken up "jogging" ( the big craze in early
seventies). With his urging, I remember putting on my jungle boots and doing a couple of miles. One
thing that hit me, besides the blisters, was that I felt considerable relieved after the run. For
the moment the war was put aside inside of me.

"Jogging" for me was a treatment for PTSD, there is no doubt. Funny thing..now that I am well into
my 50's, while I run I ponder that war now instead of trying to forget it.

Len

Len said:

Funny thing..now that I am well into my 50's, while I run I ponder that war now instead of trying
to forget it.

Len

~~~~~~~~~
An interesting comment, Len, on change and aging and reflecting on significant events of our lives
while running. Mary

Len, I was in northern I-corps April 70 through April 71. I got into running as I got older and have
found it to be an excellent source of stress relief. Out of sheer curiousity, do you see any
similarities between our day and the situtation evolving in Iraq?