Exercise and Depression

Depression can take over a person’s life, however, there is a way to help battle this disorder and that is with exercise. Depression is a mood disorder that affects how one feels, thinks, and can handle daily activities such as sleeping, eating, and working.2 “Between 6 and 25 percent of the population will experience some episode of depression in their lifetime.”1

Signs/ Symptoms of Depression: 2

•  Persistent sadness or anxiety
•  Hopelessness
• Irritability
• Feeling of guilt, worthlessness
• Loss of interest
• Difficulty with sleep
• Appetite/ weight changes
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• The list goes on….

*Symptoms vary with each person, there is not one case that is the same as another.

“Treatment/Therapies”

Doctors can prescribe medication, psychotherapy, or both.2

•    Medications (i.e. antidepressants) can take 2-4 weeks to being working and have some side effects.6

o   Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)6

§  EX: Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac ($1.66 per mL to $35.48 EA)5

o   Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)6

§  EX: Emsam (patch), Marplan, Nardil ($1.78 per pill - $48.35 a patch)5

o   Tricyclic Antidepressants6

§  EX: Norpramin, Tofronil, Pamelor ($0.10 - $8.84 EA)5

o   Atypical Antidepressants6

§  EX: Maprotiline, Trazodone, Nefazodone ($0.05 - $1.64)5

o   Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI)6

§  EX: Cymbalta, Pristiq ($6.34 - $9.41 EA)5

• Psychotherapy, in which one receives counseling to help them discover the root of their problems.

o   Prices vary depending on the doctor/ specialist, the form of communication, age of client (child/adult), and insurance.  

§  From Tarleton Psychology Major Isabella Vasquez, “for an adult with good insurance it’s about $300 for an hour.”

Depression can be helped with exercise, because exercise can be a supportive measure when a person is trying to be well.3 With exercise comes an increase in positivity and a sense of well-being; which is exactly what a person with depression needs.

Exercise does work, it will take time, but it is possible. It was possible for Cathy Kraemer (my mom) who suffered with depression and was placed on the prescription Lexapro an SSRI. Lexapro 10MG pill costs about $8.64. Cathy would get 30 pills a month…without insurance she would have paid about $259.20 a month. Realizing she needed and wanted to do something to help her well-being, she sought out a fitness and nutrition coach. My mom started a program that had her lifting heavy weight and walking, which she did about 3 days a week for 6-7 months. Throughout this process she started cutting her pills in half, and not too long ago she took her last half pill. Cathy, is happier, healthier, and now has the confidence to keep moving forward to be well. I am so proud of her!

Cathy with her family this last Christmas

No two depression diagnoses are the same, and the same will be true for exercise regimens. The best thing one can do is get with a program, have a support system, and start moving, because exercise works! It may take some time, but it is worth it in the long run.

References

1Ciccone, C. D. (1990). Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

2Depression. (2016, October 12). Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

3Eddy, L. (1993). Physical Therapy Pharmacology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.

4Kraemer, C. (2016, October 12). (Heather, Interviewer)

5NADAC as of 2016-10-12. (2016, October 12). Retrieved from Medicaid.gov: https://data.medicaid.gov/Drug-Prices/NADAC-as-of-2016-09-14/nxzv-5ndn

6Services, U. D. (2016, October 12). Depression--Medicines To Help You. Retrieved from FDA: http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/byaudience/forwomen/ucm118473.htm

7Vasquez, I. (2016, October 13). (H. Kraemer, Interviewer)

8Wolf, A. Photographer. The Kraemer Family. Alex Wolf Photography, West.