Depression and cycling

Depression in sport appears to be getting a lot of press coverage at present the latest offering is Freddie Flintoff: Hidden Side Of Sport airing on BBC1 on January 11 at 10.45pm it will investigate the mental health problems experienced/suffered by top athletes. Sadly this is probably due to recent high profile suicides in sport such as Gary Speed.

Obviously I have not seen the program and it may not cover the mental health benefits that people can gain from physical activity such as cycling, so honestly written about by the many contributors above. However, it may contribute to removing the social stigma and sense of isolation often experienced by those with depression.

I hope it does not leave the public with the impression that involvement in sport increases the risk of experiencing depression or any other mental illness.

Anyway I'll be watching if only because it will no doubt crop up in conversations on Tuesday morning.

I wholeheartidly agree of the benefits of cycling or any excersise on your mental wellbeing. If anyone is on medication or thinking of coming off I would suggest very gentle tapering and consulting your doctor regularly. I was on Paroxetine for several years and had to reduce over a couple of months, side effects were bloody awfull. My doctor said she did not prescribe it any more for those reasons. I threw myself into gym work this winter and has helped a lot, will also give me a core level of fitness for when the weather picks up and bike gets dusted off again. As an asthmatic it gets a bit cold here for too much winter cycling!

I don't think I suffer from depression in the way some describe here, but I know that I wouldn't cope as easily with the things that trouble me without the ability to get on my bike and just ride. Was thinking a few days ago that despite all the dreadful things that have been thrown at me and my family in the last couple of years, riding provides me with an escape where I can turn everything else off and I get back feeling great and can honestly say that those things that worry and pressurise me during the rest of the day simply disappear for a while.

Ive had depression on and off now for about 5 or 6 years and seriously would not wish it on anyone. Felt better this year and stopped the medication. Then a few months ago Bang, back down again. Cycling has been a great help, and im back on the meds so hoping to get back to my normal self and enjoy life again.

Right, got the linky. Guest blog on www.vulpine.cc by http://www.patisseriecyclisme.co.uk/ who suffers from depression

http://www.vulpine.cc/Blog/familyfriends/guest-blog,-louise-mccall,-aka-...

I get seasonal winter blues (SADD).

Without riding/jogging on a weekend in
the daylight then I'm doomed and eat
junk.

It's been tough but riding has helped!

Stay positive, eat well and ride!

Please look at our site www.vulpine.cc and look up safety & health blogs. In particular one by Louise from Patisserrie Cyclisme. (I would post link, but just fiddling with URLs at the moment!)

Admirable thread this. As I posted in the bike forum, cycling has helped me through a tough year.

This is lovely to see, you fellas talking openly about this. A lot won't speak of it, part of why depression is such a problem. It's very common, I suffered short term depression twice after childbirth and my GP said that medication should be in the water supply! I think he was just highlighting how common it is. Personally I think that exercise especially something like cycling, because you grow to love it, has massive benefits and can keep you mentally and physically healthy. It's certainly changed me in a lot of ways, not least of all my waistline

Thanks lazyusername a great topic, I've never been diagnosed as depressed, mainly because I've never gone near any health professionals when I have felt that low! but I totally agree that cycling does help, in some ways just the getting a bit of peace and quiet alone on some country roads for a few hours is a godsend, to clear the head and to have to concentrate on something is great therapy!

There are a number of strands to this thread.

I wholeheartedly agree that cycling has a really positive effect on my physical and mental wellbeing. Like many who have posted in this thread I have had tough times where the fresh air and exercise has helped my sanity.

Secondarily, as recent events in sport have shown us, sometimes that isn't enough. Even with a good atmosphere in a team and club, people can feel lonely and low.

Gary Speed is of course the topical example. Rugby league is another sport to have had its issues and they dedicated a whole round of their seasons matches to players mental well being... Pretty ground breaking.

http://www.superleaguefans.com/rugby-league/2011/09/09/state-of-mind-rug...

I find that I am almost so "dependant" on cycling to keep my mood and motivation for life up, that when a motorist harasses me on the road, it really cuts to the quick. It really, really upsets me. And I know it shouldn't. It feels like they really do know how important cycling is to me and what good it has done for me, and that they are just jealous and want to spoil it all.

Does anyone know what I mean?

I'd say physical exercise in general provides an effective counter measure to depression and lethargy. I do regular gym sessions, mixed with running, some football and a lot of cycling. It makes the difference for me. As others have pointed out, alcohol is only a short term measure and has other effects that can be totally counter-productive.

I did suffer long term depression in the past and do sympathise with what Obree went through, as well as respecting his courage in speaking out. I do wonder if Speed's problems were linked, at least in part, to his having stopped training so intensively. The endorphins that a hard training session will generate in the system are addictive.

100% agree, cycling has a mood and general wellbeing benefit that I cannot get from taking medication, having used fluoxetine and citalopram in the past, I'd much rather have cycling instead.

Also agree with the guardian page, broken legs, winter vomiting virus, flu, are all easier to deal with than having to explain depression or anxiety.

Great idea! will pop in from time to time.
Read this today on depression,

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/06/need-justify-depression-wo...

interesting am sure many experience the same.

I posted on the other thread, but forgot to mention that some people recommend 'Chromium' supplements for depression. I take setraline and Chromium. I'm sure most folk will know that alcohol really messes your head up for depression sufferers. I have cut booze back to only a couple of pints a week, otherwise I feel noticably down.

I have a similar diagnoss - one severe major depressive episode - thankfully no recurrence yet so I don't yet have a "major depressive disorder".

The bike is fantastic, brilliant therapy - I've never needed medication, and I hope I never will, as long as I keep riding.

(We doctors know that exercise works better than drugs, btw, for mild to moderate depression - and the side effect profile's much better too. Yet doctors persist in prescribing sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram etc - to people who don't need it).