JOPLIN, Mo. -- Mark Stewart said he is an ex-jock. He used to keep a regular workout routine, until the reality of medical school set in.
Now a psychiatrist with the behavioral health division of Freeman Health Systems, Stewart is thrilled to see research done into how exercise can help cure moods.
"Some things are common-sensical, and one of those things is that exercise contributes to a heightening of moods," Stewart said. "What's happening is that more effort is being put in to research that. There are numerous articles about studies being done."
Among the stories, testimonials and other reports about exercise being a great antidepressant is Gina Midyett, a therapist in Tampa who also owns a Powerhouse Gym with her husband, Matt. Midyett worked with single mothers and taught them exercises and other things they could do at home with their kids.
The recommendations brought rave reviews, enough to convince her that fitness and nutrition are important parts of helping clients overcome depression, anxieties and addictions.
But Stewart said that exercise alone isn't enough to treat more advanced forms of depression.
Exercise's effect
Stewart said exercise has some obvious subjective results. It increases endorphins which, according to some, provides some resiliency against stress.
"What happens is when someone experiences something stressful, the body releases neurochemicals that change into neurotoxins," Stewart said. "It's thought that the antidepressant effect may be from the ability to allow the brain to engage in neurogenesis. That helps the brain recover more quickly from a stressful event."
Many Joplin residents can point to a singular stressful event that happened on May 22. The tornado that killed 161, injured hundreds and destroyed acres has sent many to seek counseling for depression.
Stewart said that situational depression or post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the tornado is different from the mild to moderate cases of depression that people normally support.
"I'm not saying to avoid exercise," Stewart said. "But if someone is having severe symptoms, then exercise shouldn't be the sole treatment."
Situational depression and PTSD aren't mutually exclusive, but have different symptoms. PTSD victims have a hypervigiliant attitude and may have nightmares or flashbacks, where situational depression leads to people having insomnia, difficulty concentrating and a subdued mood.
Treatment of those conditions may include therapy or medicine, Stewart said.
Though meant to help with lighter cases, Midyett said she has found that exercise helps patients wean themselves off of antidepressants.
"I'm not against medication," Midyett said. "I think that people need it, but I think that medication is a way to maybe get you to go and start implementing new coping strategies."
Concerning addiction, Midyett said that people reach for an addictive substance because they need to cope with an emotional pain.
"Instead of reaching for those bad habits and negative things, you go and work out," she said. "Now you feel better and all of these (natural brain) chemicals are working. Now the chances of you going to reach for that negative habit are much lower."
Exercise's benefits
Research is ongoing, but it is thought that exercise alleviates depression in a number of ways, according to the Mayo Clinic, possibly including:
- Releasing feel-good brain chemicals (neurotransmitters and endorphins)
- Reducing immune-system chemicals that can worsen depression
- Raising body temperature, which may be calming
- Building confidence by meeting goals and feeling better about one's appearance
- Distracting the mind from negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression
- Finding new social outlets if you exercise at a gym or outdoors where you'll meet others
- Taking positive action to manage anxiety or depression
Don't think you have to do strenuous workouts or that you won't feel better until you can put in a certain amount of time exercising. Anything you do to get moving will likely improve your mood.
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