Effect of Exercise on Depression: Literature Review

Effect of cause on slack Literature review articleDepression is a disorder which bequeath affect mood, thought and behaviour. Although the volume of the population will at more or less point in their lives deliver scurvy points and the blues, embossment itself is when these feelings protrude to take over and affect the detail to which some ace washbasin function (Artal Sherman, 1998).The symptoms of drop-off stool include a persistent sadness and feelings of emptiness, hope slightness and pessimism. People with stamp will withal oft exhibit material symptoms which tush include decreased dexterity and fatigue, changes to sleeping and eating patterns ( change magnituded or decreased levels of) and increased experience of malady from headaches, digestive disorders and chronic torture episodes. (Depression Alliance) Anhedonia the loss of joy from things or events that were at a time pleasurable, often including a reduced sex drive is likewise norm onlyy give ou ted by sufferers. As a terminus of the symptoms associated with depression and depressive disorders (major depression, bipolar) battalion can often become increasingly soci on the wholey withdrawn by both(prenominal) reducing their contact with others, and by dint of reducing their activities much(prenominal) as going out or participation in hobbies. Such breakup can also incur further psychological impact, whereby people engender to loose self-esteem and belief that they can complete activities they once had, which perpetuates to increase the depression and low mood. Major depression can pee-pee sober long term consequences there is an increased risk of self scathe and suicide, with estimates of approximately 15% of the severely depressed committing suicide (Artal Sherman, 1998).There is no one single root of depression that can explain all cases. People may experience depression due to a issue of different circumstanceors sensual (developing a serious unsoundness, impaired function of judgment chemicals), environmental (uncertain housing situation, living in a neighbourhood with a high crime rate) social (inter-personal relationship difficulties or divorce, loss of a job, moving a focus form home) or traumatic events (bereavement, experiencing a inherent disaster, domestic abuse), or even by dint of a combination of these triggers.Depression is a clinical disorder and as a result will often need professional intervention in order to begin the road to reco real. Negative responses from others in regards to attitudes for people to pull their socks up and analyse out of it are described by many an(prenominal) with the condition as making the situation worse through with(predicate) causing distress and overrule as they are un similarly to be able to do this. discourse of depression indeed usually involves professional help, through a come in of available avenues for intercession types successful recovery programmes are noted to often involve a combination of interposition methods (Lam Kennedy, 2004).Medication such as antidepressants alike(p) prozac or zoloft, and talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling are tried and tested means of dowery alleviate both the condition and its associated symptoms (Rethink). Existing intercessions do not unfortunately prune for everyone, and limitations of these existing treatments can include antidepressants which take weeks or months to have an effect or where side effects are at a level whereby compliance to the designated regimen is not adhere to or the difficulties with which many people can have in accessing psychological therapies / talking treatments where delay lists can be long or even where certain operate are not even available in an area of residence.As a result of such factors, newborn bureaus of treating and managing psychological conditions like depression are being evaluated through seek and investigation. One of th ese new methods is through the use of performance, which has been increasingly suggested and alivenessed through contemporary lit on this as an intervention. There are a number of articles which facial expression at the link between representative and depression and how accomplishment can help alleviate depression-related symptoms and relief from the condition altogether (Halliwell, 2005 Bayak et al, 2000). Some studies report action treatment efficacy as being equal to medicament treatments (Blumenthal et al, 1999), tho a good number of published studies conclude that rehearse therapy would optimise treatment deep down a combination therapy regime although one notable exception to this is the Babyak et al (2000) study which found the deterrent example stem as superior in results to both the medication group, and the combination ( knead and medication) group.Babyak et al (2000) compared experimental depression treatment groups of object lesson, medication and a combinat ion of exercise and medication. Results of this 10-month study concluded that use of a modest exercise formulate (30 minutes of a 70% maximum heart rate practice session 3 times per week) is an effective treatment for depressed patients who hold a arbitrary view to such a treatment.Overall it has been suggested that 85% of people who use exercise therapy have found it helpful (Halliwell, 2005), and as a result of such studies, NICE guidelines on treatment of ( soft) depression states that patients of all ages should be advised of the acquires of following a structured and supervised exercise programme for between 10 12 weeks (Hughes, 2005 Halliwell, 2005).The commission in which exercise therapy exerts this effect on depression is suggested within the belles-lettres as through two possible routes.The first route is physiologic. Physical exertion occurring through exercise is known to cause chemical reactions within the body that result in the extend of endorphins (a type of hormone) to five times their resting rate. that is secreted from the pituitary secreter into the bloodstream during times of pain or stress. Through blocking the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, endorphins stop pain signals being received and so act as the bodys own natural pain killers. This analgesic effect also extends to causing a feeling of euphoria. Endorphins thus work towards both mood-enhancing and pain relieving effects and so will work towards alleviating depressive symptoms such as headaches, whilst also boosting positive moods. In relation to depression specifically, it has also been suggested that exercise can reduce physiological responsivity of the body to stressors, which can lead to improvements in psychological well-being, and feelings towards ability to cope. (Steptoe, Kimbell Basford, 1998). Lastly, neuro-chemicals are also believed to be an important physiological means by which exercise improves depression. Research into the physiological components of depression has demonstrated low levels or ineffective transmission of neurotransmitters such as noreinephrine and serotonin and thus may play a graphic symbol in depressive symptomology as exercise increases the release of neurotransmitters it is believed this increased availability (which is the akin effect that many antidepressants exert) is privy improve mood (Ransford, 1982) after exercise. usefulness in neurotransmitter functionality, more specifically improved serotonin availability, has also been suggested as a way in which exercise appears to help people fixate normal sleep patterns, important when considering that disruption to sleep is a very common symptom experienced by people with depression. This is suggested to stem from the fact that serotonin has a role of inputting to the SCN (suprachiasmatic nuclei) where our internal body clock which regulates our circadian rhythms, is located. As serotonin as often found to be change (decreased) in those wit h depression, improved availability through exercise is a way in which depressive symptoms of disturbed sleep may be helped. (Solberg, Horton Turek, 1999)The second proposed way in which exercise is believed to help depressed individuals is the psychological route. Participation in exercise can invoke positive feelings of self-belief and accomplishment, through which self-esteem can be improved the so-called Mastery hypothesis (Babyak et al, 2000) where achievement makes us feel better about ourselves. This is an important aspect as the way in which social withdrawal is so often seen in those that are depressed can negatively impact self-esteem. (MIND) Along these lines involvement in exercise activity also raises the possibility of up(a) social support through providing opportunity for social interactions with others, with social support renowned for its immensity in recovery from depression. (MIND) One of the other more psychological explanations behind exercise and its affect on depression is the Distraction hypothesis. Quite simply, through the distraction of the physical activity we are temporarily able to peddle our focus and thoughts away from the stressors or everyday difficulties which may be change to the depression and low mood.Evidence for exercise in the treatment of depression can also be supported through literature from other angle. Participation in exercise has been studied in its protective substance against depression (Artal Sherman, 1998), with findings that individuals categorised as participating in lower levels of exercise activity were at higher risk of developing depression than individuals who had rhythmic and high levels of physical activity (Camacho, 1991).On the back of available research such as that reviewed for this essay, the use of exercise in the treatment of checkup checkup conditions is gaining credibility within the medical professional to stem beyond treatment for purely physically based conditions such as hea rt disease and obesity, but as a means of helping those with psychological conditions like depression. Authors promoting use of exercise as a treatment for depression also often comment on the positive health benefits it will playact alongside amelioration of depression-related symptoms that other treatments for depression cannot bring (van de Vliet et al, 2003). Exercise itself is associated with positive health benefits including reducing body fat, lowering blood pressure, strengthening bones, and muscles and improving the bodys cardiovascular system. Exercise is therefore a potentially more positive treatment regimen as the experience it involves does not include the negative side effects which are commonly account from pharmacological treatments. (Halliwell, 2005).In summary, there is a vast array of literature that supports the integration of exercise therapy within a treatment programme for a more effective and positive treatment experience for people with mild to moderate d epression. The severity of the depression will influence whether exercise is a practical treatment to provide, as more severe cases are less likely to be able to adhere to such a treatment regimen (potentially as a result of more severe physical symptoms and fatigue that may stop them from any higher level of physical exertion). As a result it is found throughout the literature that for exercise therapy to be a success and exert a therapeutic benefit, individuals moldiness have some level of positive feeling towards participating in such a programme thus exercise therapy is recommended for mild not moderate, but not severely depressed individuals.Not only does the research in this field demonstrate the ability of exercise to alleviate both mood and physical symptoms through the bodys release of endorphins, but can aid psychological and physical recovery through improved self-esteem through mastery, and with all the physical benefits that an active lifestyle brings. Exercise on pres cription is now available throughout the UK via GPs, and so future research is thus needed into developing specific treatment programmes that will optimise both levels and types (e.g. aerobic versus mindful Netz, 2003) of exercise, and investigating the slipway that these need to be individualised (Artal Sherman, 1998) potentially by condition, patient demographic etc for the treatment and long term care of those with depression. Research by the noetic Health Foundation does suggest however that awareness amongst the general practician community about the capability and availability of exercise programmes for depression is low only 5% of GPs are thought to protract exercise within the 3 most common treatment options they hug drug to their patients. (Mental Health Foundation, 2005) so raising awareness of exercise within the medical community is also a key future action within the promotion of exercise therapy.ReferencesArtal, M. Sherman, C. (1998) Exercise against depression The Physician and Sprots medicament Vol. 26, 10Babyak, M. Blumenthal, J. Herham, S. Khatri, P. Doraiswamy, M. Moore, K. Craighead, E. Baldewicz, T. Krishnan, K. (2000) Exercise treatment for major depression Maintenance of therapeutic benefit at 10 months Psychosomatic Medicine Vol 62Blumenthal, J. Babyak, M. Moore, K. Craighead, W. Herman, S, Khatri, P. Waugh, R. Napolitano, M. Forman, L. Appelbaum, M. Doraiswamy, P. Krishnan, K. (1999) Effects of exercise training on older patients with major depression Arch detain Med Vol. 159, 19Camacho, T. (1991) Physical activity and depression Evidence from the Alameda County Study American journal of Epdemiology Vol 134, 2Halliwell, E. (2005) Reflections.. on exercise and depression Healthcare discuss Psychotherapy Journal Vol. 5, 3Hughes, I. (2005) NICE in practice some thoughts on delivering the new guideline on depression Healthcare management Psychotherapy Journal Vol. 5, 2Lam, R. Kennedy, S. (2004) Evidence-base strategies for ac hieving and sustaining full remission in depression Focus on Meta-analyses Canadian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 49 add 1Mental Health Foundation (2005) Up and running exercise therapy and the treatment of mild or moderate depression in autochthonic care London Mental Health FoundationRansford, C (1982) A role for amines in the antidepressant effect of exercise Medical learning in Sports Vol. 1, 10Solberg, L. Horton, T. Turek, F. (1999) Circadian rhythms and depressioneffects of exercise in an animal model Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Vol. 276Steptoe, A. Kimbell, J. Basford, P. (1998) Exercise and the experience and judgement of daily stressors a naturalistic study Journal of Behavioural Medicine Vol. 21, 4Netz, Y. (2003) Mood alterations in mindful versus aerobic exercise modes The Journal of Psychology Vol. 137, 5Van de Vliet, P. Onghena, P. Knapen, J. Fox, K. Probst, M. van Coppenolle, H. Pieters, G. (2003) Assessing the additional impact of seaworthiness training i n depressed psychiatric patients receiving multifaceted treatment a replicated single-subject design Disability and Rehabilitation Vol. 25, 24INTERNET RESOURCESwww.depressionalliance.orgwww.mind.org.ukwww.rethink.org