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ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
Phoenix
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Joined: Jun 19, 2008
Posts: 1936
Location: US, midmap
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 Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:27 pm Post subject: Physical Activity And Depression. |
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It's been noted in research studies those of us with ASDs are more prone to depression than the general population.
I have increased my physical activity over a period of about two weeks now and I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my mood without the use of SSRIs or any other drugs.
Has anyone else experienced good results? |
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pakled
"Bless his Heart"
Joined: Nov 13, 2007
Age: 51
Posts: 3284
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| this is a known side-effect of exercise. Recommended for anyone, AS or not... |
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ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
Phoenix
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Joined: Jun 19, 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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I mentioned it here because I have done some research and read that people who have ASDs are more prone to depression than the general population.
I do realize everyone can experience depression however some are predisposed and at a higher risk. |
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Brandon-J
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Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Age: 20
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Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes exercise is known to relieve stress and depression |
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anbuend
Oak-Type Autie
Joined: Jul 06, 2004
Posts: 3312
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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The rates of depression are extremely high in developmentally disabled people in general. One major cause of it is isolation.
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"We may seem in the gutter from up there where you are but maybe you don't know we still see the same stars." -Donna Williams |
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ouinon
chemical reaction
Joined: Jul 11, 2007
Posts: 3551
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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A common co-morbid with ASDs is "poor"/different proprioceptive system development, and quite possibly less interest in exercising as a result? Or discouragement from doing it as a child if were not "graceful" or "athletic" or "handy" at sports.
Also I don't know where you did your exercise but if it was outdoors then you will have upped your exposure to sunlight which is also uplifting! 
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Autisvic
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Joined: Jul 14, 2008
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Location: Around here somewhere....Let me check.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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My depression got better over the last year and I had pretty much stopped all of my physical activities.
I did find myself busier with work and with friends,
so that may have had an affect.
I started riding my bike to work again recently (about 1 hour a day and at least
70 miles a week). But the other day something sent me spinning into a funk again.
I do agree that exercise can help with depression, but it is only one factor.
In my case, the quality of and amount of time I spend socializing (as well as the relative
ease or difficulty of the socializing) seems to have more of an effect on my depression.
Loneliness definitely makes it worse. Sometimes there is no one around I know to hang
out with, and I suck at meeting new people, so I end up sleeping just to kill time.
At times like that, even going for a bike ride depresses me because I don't have any where
to go or anyone to see. Small talk with unknowns doesn't count.
Bottom Line: If I can't find someone I know well to interact with on an "as needed" basis,
I become depressed. I need mental stimulation to cloud my depression. |
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ImMelody
Phoenix
Joined: Jun 10, 2008
Posts: 790
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| ouinon wrote: | | A common co-morbid with ASDs is "poor"/different proprioceptive system development, and quite possibly less interest in exercising as a result? Or discouragement from doing it as a child if were not "graceful" or "athletic" or "handy" at sports. |
Yeah. This is why I don't exercise.. I'm horrible at it, and I always feel "odd" while doing it. Plus, I had constant teasing for not being able to do things in school. I have a vivid memory of melting down in gym class 7th grade. We were playing kick ball.. But instead of a little ball, it was a freakin' HUGE!!!!! ball. And I was expected to not only kick it.. but kick it hard enough to move it from "home plate." People started making fun of me, because my kick barely pushed it a foot. Horrible memories.. |
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ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
Phoenix
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Joined: Jun 19, 2008
Posts: 1936
Location: US, midmap
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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| ouinon wrote: | A common co-morbid with ASDs is "poor"/different proprioceptive system development, and quite possibly less interest in exercising as a result? Or discouragement from doing it as a child if were not "graceful" or "athletic" or "handy" at sports.
Also I don't know where you did your exercise but if it was outdoors then you will have upped your exposure to sunlight which is also uplifting!
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When I was little I moved constantly but my cordination wasn't all that great and my side hurt when I ran or swam for an extended period. I was not athletic. The only thing I did well was swim and even that became difficult when my side started to hurt. Since I never sat still though, I think I made up for it by being so fidgety. I was lousy at team sports too.
I have outgrown the pain in my side and am better at running long distances these days. Even though I am not naturally attracted to exercising, when I make myself do it, I notice it really makes a difference. |
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CMaximus
Sea Gull
Joined: Nov 04, 2007
Age: 25
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Location: Staring at the Sea
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Feeling physically exerted makes me feel less... vacuous. It's like, "Oh, this is interesting..."
It can be like suddenly having something gratifyingly solid to lean on. |
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dtoxic
Deinonychus
Joined: Jun 23, 2008
Age: 38
Posts: 313
Location: Boston MA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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| I always feel slightly better leaving the house and going into the city (or at least getting out of the immediate neighborhood) for a few hours or even all day. Walking medium or longer distances is the best, both for exercise and for mental stimulation. Seeing new streets or neighborhoods can sharpen your interest in being alive, even if you don't meet anybody. Exploration of actual places stimulates the mind a bit. |
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merrymadscientist
Deinonychus
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Posts: 318
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Exercise certainly can help although not always. Before I was hospitalised for depression 18 months ago, I would (as I do still) swim twice a week and walk and it didnt make any difference whatsoever - I would be crying in the swimming pool sometimes, or in the changing rooms afterwards.
However, maybe I just wasnt doing enough. I have been depressed quite a bit recently since stopping my medication, but I had a two week walking holiday planned (I was depressed enough that I didnt even want to go) and after 2 days I was so happy - constantly being outside coupled with 6-8 hours per day of hard physical exercise made me completely forget about my problems and work and the general feeling of life being pointless and wishing I was dead completely went away - the only thing I focused on was getting to the end of each step, how much my legs were aching and how blissful it was to stop walking and sit and look at the view. Of course its only temporary - didnt last too long once I was back, but it was fantastic whilst it lasted.
Makes me think that perhaps I would actually be happier with a job that involved hard physical labour - a farmer or gardener perhaps. |
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Aspie_Chav
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Age: 35
Posts: 2137
Location: Croydon
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| pakled wrote: | | this is a known side-effect of exercise. Recommended for anyone, AS or not... |
Doesn't work for me. It is not a cure for loneliness. |
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Tails
Sea Gull
Joined: Nov 01, 2005
Age: 24
Posts: 234
Location: Planet Mobius?
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:15 am Post subject: |
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Exercise can't fix problems or 'cure' depression, but it definitely can help to lift a mood and to generate an overall greater sense of 'wellbeing'.
Exercise releases Endorphins, naturally produced 'pain-killers' that can make you feel good. Walking on a sunny day is especially beneficial, as you get the benefit of Vitamin E being produced on your skin, and Seratonin being triggered in your brain. As is well known, Seratonin is a major factor in clinical depression (hence SSRIs - Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
I walk sometimes because it clears my head and makes me feel purposeful. It is harder to worry when walking at a brisk pace in the fresh air than it is to worry when sitting alone in my room.
The day before yesterday, for example, after a somewhat troubling Doctor's appointment (I have to have a 'suspicious lesion' cut out from my leg and tested for cancer), I decided to walk home rather than get a bus/taxi. The walk was about 3.8 miles, but it was easily achievable at a brisk pace. It certainly helped to clear my head and prevented me from overloading with panic and anxiety over what the doctor had told me.
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Somebody will be waiting for me, so I've got to fly higher~ |
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veruniel
Phoenix
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Posts: 1056
Location: England
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:11 am Post subject: |
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I always feel better if I take long walks regularly. They ease my depression, but that depression is severe enough that walks alone don't lift the malaise. They need to be done in concert with taking medication.
Another thing I've found that helps is eating a great deal of fish and walnut oil, and other foods high in omega 3 fatty acids. |
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