Mental Health and Exercise

six1908

Hi all. I am wondering if any of you suffer from a diagnosed (or undiagnosed) mental illness (depression, anxiety, ocd, bipolar, etc) and how has exercise helped you? Has it alleviated suffering? I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and have put on about 60lbs since I've went on medication to be come "normal", it's disheartening but something I know I can overcome. I'm just wondering if any of you have any stories or thoughts on the matter. Thanks so much.

marissanik

Exercise and eating healthy most definitely increases my mental health. Especially when I run, I feel so good after. I had depression years ago but never exercised at the time so I can't say if it necessarily helped my depression or not.

mevvies

I suffer with anxiety, which if not sorted slips into depression, losing weight and exercising has definitely helped me, with anxiety I go for a run instead of reaching for the chocolate and its help. Good luck

bookworm_847

I suffer from depression, and losing weight & exercising has helped my symptoms by increasing my confidence a bit. I just finished Les Mills Combat, and that actually helped my depression a lot. I felt empowered! I'm not cured, but I'd say it has helped.

fitmommy2012

I suffer from BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder and exercise and eating healthy has really helped me. With BPD I suffer from severe depression at times and when I feel like I am falling into that dark pit, I try to drag myself out to run, sometimes running until I cannot run anymore, and that has helped alleviate a lot of the symptoms that the medication doesn't take away!

Fallingsakura

Hi there... I've also put on sixty pounds since medication for Depression and anxiety. It's really soul destroying as I no longer wish to socialise and affects my self esteem deeply. Exercise is helping but it's an uphill battle.

AsaThorsWoman

Yes.

In fact, I was downright shocked to see how my efforts to improve my physical health seemed to directly effect the mental health aspect.

I truly believe health is three pillars, physical, mental and spiritual, and you will only be as strong as your weakest pillar.

My weakest was physical, and vast improvements to that have rippled out into almost every aspect of my life.

ftloy

I've been diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience: Assuming I can muster up the energy to actually exercise, the flood of endorphins does in fact help to alleviate -- or at least take the edge off -- the symptoms of the BPD and MDD for a brief period of time; however, I have to accept it for what it is ... another tool in my arsenal as, despite what people on the interwebs want us to believe, eating healthy and exercising [alone] is not the cure. It helps, but those two things together will not magically make us mentally off-kilter folks "all better" or "normal".

meganhertz

Diagnosed with a panic disorder. The exercise helps reduce my stress levels immensely, although its definitely difficult to keep on track with eating well for bad stress days. Have made it two weeks so far, and have not had any panic attacks since I started exercising regularly.

BruinsLeafs718

I see it every day working at a Mental Health Care facility.. the clients we have that are out and about are generally happier and healthier. You can really see the difference in the people that are out walking around.. getting involved in the activities.. from the time they go out in the morning to the time they come back in after the passes.. completely different attitudes.. its amazing really

CindyMarcuzAdams

I have anxeity and depression and am medicated . I have been on mfp for 37 days and walk for 40 min a day. I have not noticed a big difference. I am hoping to come off meds soon and see if my lifestyle chance has and will make a difference. Time will tell...

adopp062715

I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and I'm currently on meds to help with them. Exercise and eating healthy helps but it doesn't completely fix things. There are days when I feel great and then there are days where no amount of exercise will help. I'm working on it and taking it day by day. These last couple of days have been bad. The couple of weeks before that were better. Again, it depends on the day and what I'm able to do. I'm hoping in the future that I will be able to completely come off the meds completely and manage my symptoms with exercise and healthy eating.

michellemybelll

i would really like to a see a study done comparing the affects of regular exercise and steady eating vs. the affects of medication on individuals with mental disorders. i have a feeling the neurological affect of intense exercise and moderating one's eating actually does more to alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, possibly even helping one overcome the disorder.

i don't think the combination of an intense sweat session and a relatively nutritionally dense and routine diet is given enough credit for combating mental illness.

michellemybelll

I've been diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience: Assuming I can muster up the energy to actually exercise, the flood of endorphins does in fact help to alleviate -- or at least take the edge off -- the symptoms of the BPD and MDD for a brief period of time; however, I have to accept it for what it is ... another tool in my arsenal as, despite what people on the interwebs want us to believe, eating healthy and exercising [alone] is not the cure. It helps, but those two things together will not magically make us mentally off-kilter folks "all better" or "normal".

you can't really sweep every person who's experienced mental illness into that generalization. it's so very individual, it's impossible to say one thing won't help one person. i think it's very possible for healthy eating and steady, intense exercise to alone aid someone in overcoming this hurdle.

ETA: routine is key as well. i think it's very important to create a steady routine, and stick to it, in order to really effectively use diet and exercise as one's primary means of overcoming something like this.

TheVirgoddess

Hi all. I am wondering if any of you suffer from a diagnosed (or undiagnosed) mental illness (depression, anxiety, ocd, bipolar, etc) and how has exercise helped you? Has it alleviated suffering? I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and have put on about 60lbs since I've went on medication to be come "normal", it's disheartening but something I know I can overcome. I'm just wondering if any of you have any stories or thoughts on the matter. Thanks so much.

Yes. In March I was diagnosed with severe depression and moderate to severe anxiety disorder (secondary to sleep deprivation, but that doesn't really matter). Exercise does absolutely help me - it makes me feel in control of myself and my health and the endorphin rush is great, too. That said, I'm also on daily medication. I've struggled with depression on and off for many years and have responded well to medication.

I think investing in your health is a really positive and tangible reward, and for a control freak like me, is a huge bonus.

I'm feeling better now than I have in years. Best of luck to you!

One_Last_Time

If i'm feeling stressed, tired, anxious or depressed and i go to work out i feel WORSE! I have broken down and cried many times at the gym. I guess it could be that i view exercise as a punishment. I like being active, I HATE exercise.

ftloy

I've been diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience: Assuming I can muster up the energy to actually exercise, the flood of endorphins does in fact help to alleviate -- or at least take the edge off -- the symptoms of the BPD and MDD for a brief period of time; however, I have to accept it for what it is ... another tool in my arsenal as, despite what people on the interwebs want us to believe, eating healthy and exercising [alone] is not the cure. It helps, but those two things together will not magically make us mentally off-kilter folks "all better" or "normal".

you can't really sweep every person who's experienced mental illness into that generalization. it's so very individual, it's impossible to say one thing won't help one person. i think it's very possible for healthy eating and steady, intense exercise to alone aid someone in overcoming this hurdle.

ETA: routine is key as well. i think it's very important to create a steady routine, and stick to it, in order to really effectively use diet and exercise as one's primary means of overcoming something like this.

Erm ... I'm pretty sure I wasn't making any gross sweeping generalizations. In fact, I'm fairly confident that I made the following disclaimer to cover my *kitten*: "here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience"; additionally, I thought I used "I" and "my" consistently throughout my post with regard to how diet (nutrition) and exercise helps to boost [my] state of mental health. When I said what I did near the end of my post, I was referring to the people out there who actually do make sweeping generalizations about mental illness -- I've seen the statements and conversations myself from these people -- and those who suffer from it.

P.S. What mental illness/es do you suffer from, if you don't mind me asking?

TheVirgoddess

If i'm feeling stressed, tired, anxious or depressed and i go to work out i feel WORSE! I have broken down and cried many times at the gym. I guess it could be that i view exercise as a punishment. I like being active, I HATE exercise.

Aww, that sucks! I don't like typical exercises, I do things like salsa dance and I've even prancercized a time or two. I hope you find something you enjoy!

LaiceePNW

I have depression and anxiety and I have found that when I eat fast food I feel all sluggish and after flaking off on exercising for a couple of days I feel way down. After going for an attempted jog I always feel better

michellemybelll

I've been diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience: Assuming I can muster up the energy to actually exercise, the flood of endorphins does in fact help to alleviate -- or at least take the edge off -- the symptoms of the BPD and MDD for a brief period of time; however, I have to accept it for what it is ... another tool in my arsenal as, despite what people on the interwebs want us to believe, eating healthy and exercising [alone] is not the cure. It helps, but those two things together will not magically make us mentally off-kilter folks "all better" or "normal".

you can't really sweep every person who's experienced mental illness into that generalization. it's so very individual, it's impossible to say one thing won't help one person. i think it's very possible for healthy eating and steady, intense exercise to alone aid someone in overcoming this hurdle.

ETA: routine is key as well. i think it's very important to create a steady routine, and stick to it, in order to really effectively use diet and exercise as one's primary means of overcoming something like this.

Erm ... I'm pretty sure I wasn't making any gross sweeping generalizations. In fact, I'm fairly confident that I made the following disclaimer to cover my *kitten*: "here's my opinion, which is based solely upon my own personal experience"; additionally, I thought I used "I" and "my" consistently throughout my post with regard to how diet (nutrition) and exercise helps to boost [my] state of mental health. When I said what I did near the end of my post, I was referring to the people out there who actually do make sweeping generalizations about mental illness -- I've seen the statements and conversations myself from these people -- and those who suffer from it.

P.S. What mental illness/es do you suffer from, if you don't mind me asking?

i do mind you asking. i didn't self disclose previously, and i'm certainly not now to you. and your last couple sentences do make a sweeping generalization. that's what i fixated on, and what i wanted to bring attention to your inaccuracy.

neandermagnon

PTSD (and related issues from that including depression)

doing heavy lifting has helped immensely. okay, it's number 2 after getting therapy with someone who is qualified and experienced with treating PTSD. but yes it helped a lot. Getting enough sunlight is another one because I seem to have some kind of seasonal affective disorder as well, as in if I don't get enough vitamin D (including from the sun because it's hard to get enough in the diet) then I become depressed.

so back to heavy lifting - part of it is that it helps to remove stress hormones from the system. We evolved in a time when the best response to danger was some kind of strenuous physical activity (fighting or running away) and so our body's stress response system expects us to be engaged in strenuous physical activity shortly after becoming stressed out. So exercise helps get rid of these stress hormones and also replaces them with "happy hormones" like endorphins. It's not just that though... PTSD left me feeling extremely weak, scared and vulnerable.... and being able to squat my body weight and deadlift more than my body weight kind of completely obliterated that belief. It made me feel strong and powerful, and you can't continue to believe that you're weak and vulnerable when you're deadlifting that much, seriously.

As has been discussed, exercise alone won't cure mental illness but it really can help with fighting it, and it's individual, i.e. it'll help some people more than others. but in my case it definitely did help a lot. but I would never recommend it as a substitute for seeking professional help... just as something to do in addition to seeking professional help.

michellemybelll

As has been discussed, exercise alone won't cure mental illness but it really can help with fighting it, and it's individual, i.e. it'll help some people more than others. but in my case it definitely did help a lot. but I would never recommend it as a substitute for seeking professional help... just as something to do in addition to seeking professional help.

you cannot make this sweeping statement.

it is not accurate for everyone. popping pills and going to therapy does not work for everyone, so just the same as your generalization, one could not make the generalization that medication and therapy will help everyone with mental illness, because it will not.

neandermagnon

As has been discussed, exercise alone won't cure mental illness but it really can help with fighting it, and it's individual, i.e. it'll help some people more than others. but in my case it definitely did help a lot. but I would never recommend it as a substitute for seeking professional help... just as something to do in addition to seeking professional help.

you cannot make this sweeping statement.

it is not accurate for everyone. popping pills and going to therapy does not work for everyone, so just the same as your generalization, one could not make the generalization that medication and therapy will help everyone with mental illness, because it will not.

You're being really oversensitive to sweeping generalistions and you seem to be projecting your own issues onto what other people are saying. Are you saying you know of a case where exercise, and exercise alone cured a mental illness? If so, then great for that person, but that would be very uncommon.

And I didn't say that popping pills or going to therapy will work for everyone - in fact I didn't mention pills at all. You're reading stuff into my post that's not there. Also, seeking professional help does not mean "popping pills and going to therapy" it means seeking professional help, which involves a professional working with you to help you find what works best for you, which may or may not include "popping pills and going to therapy" amongst other possible approaches. And I didn't say it would work for everyone, I said that exercise should not be a substitute to seeking professional help.

michellemybelll

As has been discussed, exercise alone won't cure mental illness but it really can help with fighting it, and it's individual, i.e. it'll help some people more than others. but in my case it definitely did help a lot. but I would never recommend it as a substitute for seeking professional help... just as something to do in addition to seeking professional help.

you cannot make this sweeping statement.

it is not accurate for everyone. popping pills and going to therapy does not work for everyone, so just the same as your generalization, one could not make the generalization that medication and therapy will help everyone with mental illness, because it will not.

You're being really oversensitive to sweeping generalistions and you seem to be projecting your own issues onto what other people are saying. Are you saying you know of a case where exercise, and exercise alone cured a mental illness? If so, then great for that person, but that would be very uncommon.

And I didn't say that popping pills or going to therapy will work for everyone - in fact I didn't mention pills at all. You're reading stuff into my post that's not there. Also, seeking professional help does not mean "popping pills and going to therapy" it means seeking professional help, which involves a professional working with you to help you find what works best for you, which may or may not include "popping pills and going to therapy" amongst other possible approaches. And I didn't say it would work for everyone, I said that exercise should not be a substitute to seeking professional help.

i don't think i am being oversensitive. it's frustrating me that the idea that it is possible to use alternative methods (in this case diet and exercise and routine specifically) to completely overcome is being ignored. while it may not be very common to the majority, it is possible.

and while you didn't mention medication, your reference to seeking professional help aided my assumption that that would include medication and therapy.

there is no absolute when treating mental illness. no method should be shunned (unless, of course, it is harmful to the individual).

my initial post here stated that i am very curious at what studies would find that looked at and compared the two: medication and therapy vs. very routine and moderated diet and intense exercise. i remain curious, and would love to see a solid scientific study done on the neurology of two different groups of individuals using the two methods.

xDawnsgrace

diagnosed MDD and social phobia/anxiety. I've noticed that the days i go on walks around the block, whether it be alone or with my brother, helps my mood a bit. Does it help tremendously? No, but that would be due to another mental disorder of mine. :grumble: I'm not on any medication for these things.

Miss_james1990

I have been diagnosed depression and anxiety for roughly about 5 years now. I've been put on medication that never really seemed to do a lot but stupidly continued to take them. Since I've decided to grab my life by the balls and get in shape and be healthy ( yes I'm a new years resolution survivor lol ) I haven't taken one pill and I feel great for it! I still get down days of course , you don't need to be depressed to have a down day after all but I can't believe what I was like compared to now! X

neandermagnon

As has been discussed, exercise alone won't cure mental illness but it really can help with fighting it, and it's individual, i.e. it'll help some people more than others. but in my case it definitely did help a lot. but I would never recommend it as a substitute for seeking professional help... just as something to do in addition to seeking professional help.

you cannot make this sweeping statement.

it is not accurate for everyone. popping pills and going to therapy does not work for everyone, so just the same as your generalization, one could not make the generalization that medication and therapy will help everyone with mental illness, because it will not.

You're being really oversensitive to sweeping generalistions and you seem to be projecting your own issues onto what other people are saying. Are you saying you know of a case where exercise, and exercise alone cured a mental illness? If so, then great for that person, but that would be very uncommon.

And I didn't say that popping pills or going to therapy will work for everyone - in fact I didn't mention pills at all. You're reading stuff into my post that's not there. Also, seeking professional help does not mean "popping pills and going to therapy" it means seeking professional help, which involves a professional working with you to help you find what works best for you, which may or may not include "popping pills and going to therapy" amongst other possible approaches. And I didn't say it would work for everyone, I said that exercise should not be a substitute to seeking professional help.

i don't think i am being oversensitive. it's frustrating me that the idea that it is possible to use alternative methods (in this case diet and exercise and routine specifically) to completely overcome is being ignored. while it may not be very common to the majority, it is possible.

Nowhere did I say that everyone's mental health problem can be completely overcome - this is an idea you've projected into my post somehow. You're assuming I said this when I didn't. I'm talking about what can help. I'm well aware that a lot of mental health problems can never be cured. However, there's still a lot of things that can help.

and while you didn't mention medication, your reference to seeking professional help aided my assumption that that would include medication and therapy.

Again, you're assuming that I mean something that I didn't say.

Personally, I never had any medication at all in my treatment for PTSD. I'm not against medication, it works very well for some people but in my case medication was not possible so I had to do without, and with just talking therapy (CBT combined with some other things that work well for PTSD) and lifestyle changes (exercise, exposure to sunlight on a daily basis, being more active, plus the CBT involved a lot of things I had to do in my own time between sessions)

Professional help includes many different thing and a good professional should go way beyond just standard therapy approaches and medication. I know that's not the experience many people have with it, but that's how it should be and that's how it is with good professionals. Again, it's your assumption that by "professional help" I meant only medication and conventional talking therapy and nothing else.

there is no absolute when treating mental illness. no method should be shunned (unless, of course, it is harmful to the individual).

I never said there was any absolute - I was saying what helped me in my recovery, and giving some general advice. You read some absolutes in there, and not just in my post but in other posts as well.

my initial post here stated that i am very curious at what studies would find that looked at and compared the two: medication and therapy vs. very routine and moderated diet and intense exercise. i remain curious, and would love to see a solid scientific study done on the neurology of two different groups of individuals using the two methods.

You'd have to look at psychology and psychiatry journals for that kind of thing. On a forum like this, you'll get people sharing their own experiences and what worked for them. about 1 in 4 people suffer from some kind of mental health issue, so there are lots of people on here with experiences to share. But there's not likely to be many people who have studied this kind of thing at postgraduate level at university to be able to give you a run down of the current literature.

You need to ask researchers in the field for that kind of thing. But based on what I know, exercise can help a lot with symptomatic relief and management of a condition, but it does not cure it, because the cause of mental illness is not lack of exercise. There are probably some exceptions to that (people are not carbon copies of each other, and mental illness even the same condition may affect two people in very different ways), but my statement that exercise should not be a substitute to seeking professional help still stands, because in the vast majority of cases, that's what's needed, and even if it was a case that lifestyle changes are all that are needed, a good professional who works with the person properly should be able to come to that conclusion as a result of working with the person.

jules1506

Hi all. I am wondering if any of you suffer from a diagnosed (or undiagnosed) mental illness (depression, anxiety, ocd, bipolar, etc) and how has exercise helped you? Has it alleviated suffering? I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and have put on about 60lbs since I've went on medication to be come "normal", it's disheartening but something I know I can overcome. I'm just wondering if any of you have any stories or thoughts on the matter. Thanks so much.

Welcome to the club six1908 lol. I'm bipolar and the medication is a nightmare for weight gain, and its extremely hard to lose it whilst on the medication, but it is possible. My meds are now at the highest level so thankfully it can't get any worse for me. Everyone says go walking/running, but with our symptoms its hard to get the energy if you are anything like me and have more low days than highs. When I'm on a manic high, I could exercise for hours and enjoy it, but they are few and far between. I've a foot injury so maybe thats why I don't find walking any good. Bought weights and have been doing small amounts of lifting which I'm finding easier to do and I'm now getting results so its giving me more of a boost to do it more often. I'm literally only doing a few minutes at each time as with bi-polar you get sidelined a lot of the time lol. Add me if you wish, would be nice to have friends on here with similar things

Keep going though, you are here, and thats a massive step in the right direction xx

heidianne92907

Hi all, I suffered from postpartum depression for over a year after having my son. All I did easiest and sleep. When I was finally diagnosed, I was also diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar disorder. I was put on three different medications that made caused me to gain more weight. Altogether I have gained about 130 pounds and it has been extremely difficult to get it off. With the weight gain comes more depression and the fear that someone will make fun of me and that makes me not want to work out. My grocery shopping lists and cooking sucks because my husband is a crappie eater. He eats nothing but junk and it is in the house all the time. When I try to talk to him about it he gets mad. He gives me the excuse of what am I going to take to work. Now he has my 5 year old autistic son doing the same thing. So to try and lose weight I am finding that I either eat more then 1200 calories or way under 1000 calories without realizing because I get frustrated. There are times when I want to take all the junk and throw it in the trash and tell my husband he is full of doo-doo. I hate having to make two meals too. I feel like I am a doormat and my husband is a 2 year-old unwilling to try new things. Sorry for the rant, but that actually felt good. It gives me a little motivation and makes me want to keep going and not give up. Know one has to respond, I just need to vent sometimes.

Blackdinomite

I suffer from anxiety. I had a pulmonary embolism and dvt and nearly lost my life. Anxiety followed but once I was able to get back on my bike I have controlled the anxiety issues. No meds as I'm just afraid to pop too many pills but I'm making it just fine with exercise.