Chapter 11: Depression and Exercise

what is a mood disorder?

disorders that influence mood regulation beyond the usual variations between sadness and happiness/excitement

what is major depressive disorder?

depressed mood, loss of interest and pleasure

what is bipolar disorder?

main episode, or mixed periods of mania and depression

what is dysthymia?

chronic form of depression, less severe than MDD

what is cyclothymia?

manic and depressive states, but not as intense as bipolar or MDD, chronic bipolar

what are symptoms that can accompany depression?

feelings of sadness/elation

feelings of guilt/worthlessness

disturbances in appetite

disturbances in sleep patterns

lack of energy

difficulty concentrating

loss of interest in all/most activities

memory problems

thoughts of suicide

hallucinations

what is included in the criteria for MDD?

1. depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indexed by self-report or observations made by others

2. diminished interest/pleasure in all or most activities, as indexed by self report or observations of others

3. significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, decreased or increase appetite nearly every day

4. insomnia or hypersomnia

5. psychomotor agitation or retardation, observable by others

6. fatigue or loss of energy when no physical work has been performed

7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt

8. inability to think or concentrate

9. recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

what is the prevalence of mental illnesses?

mental illnesses rank second only to cardiovascular problems in disease burden in industrialized nations

every year, about 20-25% of US adults suffer some diagnosable form of mental health problem

tremendous economic burden

what are the causes of mental illness?

not well understood

interaction of physiological and psychosocial factors

responses to stressful events vary by individual

• influenced by heredity, coping skills, and social support

what are the typical treatments for mental illness?

often untreated

when it is treated: pharmaceuticals/psychotherapy

physical activity might also be useful

how is the prevalence of mental illness measured?

standard classification criteria

self-reporting measures including Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, others

what are the preventative effects of exercise on mental illness?

there is a connection between lack of physical activity and prevalence of mental health problems

less active individuals are at a greater risk

regular PA offers a defense against or reduces the risk of depressive symptoms

what does research show regarding exercise as a treatment for depressive symptoms?

exercise resulted in decreased depression

certain factors moderated exercise treatment effects, while others did not

exercise was as effective as, and sometimes more effective than, traditional therapies (ex: medication, psychotherapy)

what exercise and participant variables could influence or moderate treatment effects?

program length, intensity, race/ethnicity

why is exercise as a treatment for depression important?

limits on treatment therapies (ex: time and money) highlight the need for other, less costly options

exercise has been examined as a viable option for the treatment of clinical levels of depression

what are the exercise “dosages” for clinical depression?

mode: does not matter aerobic or resistance

intervention length: at least 10 weeks (although come changes are seen after 5)

frequency: 3-5 times per week

intensity: aerobic - 50-85% of maximal heart rate, resistance - higher intensity is more effective than lower

duration: 30-60 minutes per session

what are the consensus statements regarding exercise and depression?

physical activity has protective benefits against symptoms of depression

protective effects increase with greater levels of physical activity

exercise can be associated with a decreased level of mild to moderate depression

exercise may be an adjunct to the professional treatment of severe depression (optimal types and/or amounts of activity are not known)

what is the anthropological hypothesis for depression?

we are genetically predisposed to be physically active

but, due to modern technology, we no longer have to engage in vigorous activity to survive

by being sedentary, we end up facing a host of health problems

what is the endorphin hypothesis for depression?

during stress (ex: exercise), the body produces endorphins - natural painkillers

increase in endorphins may reduce depression

what is the monoamine hypothesis for depression?

serotonin hypothesis and norepinephrine hypothesis

effects of exercise on depression are due to altered brain neurotransmitters

what is the mastery hypothesis for depression?

psychological effects of exercise are derived from feelings of accomplishment or mastery upon completion

mastery gives a sense of greater self-worth and personal control over the environment

what other hypotheses are there regarding depression?

affect regulation hypothesis

social interaction hypothesis