The fact that there are many forms of exercise works to the advantage of the clinician. The patient is likely to have several different exercise options within his/her immediate environment. The availability of these options, many with little or no cost, allows the clinician to devise a flexible strategy tailor made to the patients mental and physical conditions, aptitudes and interests. The patient, by participating in the program, can gain a sense of accomplishment, well-being and overall health. Further research into exercise and the mind promises to provide a lot of bang for the buck.
Its conclusions could benefit a larger number of people than almost any other health-related study. It is a treasure only beginning to be found. Although the promise demonstrated for exercise therapy as a treatment for psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has largely remained unrealized, recent controlled experimentation confirms that it offers fruitful research and practice opportunities for clinical psychologists (Tkachuk, 1999). Exercise therapy has shown particular promise in treating symptoms of depression.
This is of significant importance given the prevalence of the condition and the widespread reporting of side effects from anti-depressant medicines. The cost of the medications themselves can also be prohibitive. The current economic situation provides further incentive to investigate the efficacy of exercise as part of a mental health treatment plan. Drug prices are rising at the same time as incomes are falling. Meanwhile the incidences of diagnosed depression and estimates of undiagnosed depression are rising rapidly. Anxiety and other associated disorders are also on the rise.
Exercise has shown great promise in treating these low to mid-level mental disorders. The benefits of exercise on other specific disorders i. e. agoraphobia, schizophrenia is less well known but certainly has not been ruled out. For those without mental illness, exercise can be a preventive factor against it. Further study will allow therapists, physicians and patients to better use the natural medication of exercise. The ripple effect will benefit society in untold ways. The conclusion that exercise can benefit both physical and mental health is relatively easy to draw. Determining exactly why this occurs is more difficult.
In addition to a chemical answer, there are a range of individual perspectives given by clinicians, patients and study subjects. There is a lot we do not know. We do know this however – The human body is an incredibly complex and fully integrated machine. Given that realization, it is not terribly surprising that an activity that is known to benefit physical health also benefits mental health.
Works Cited
Acil, A. A. , Dogan, S. & Dogan, O. (2006). “The effects of physical exercises to mental state and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. ” Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 15; 10: 808-815.
Carless, David & Douglas, Kitrina. (2008). “The Role of Sport and Exercise in Recovery from Serious Mental Illness: Two Case Studies. ” International Journal of Men’s Health. 7; 2: 137-156. Cripps, Faith. (2008). “Exercise Your Mind: Physical Activity as a Therapeutic Technique for Depression. ” International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 15; 10: 460-465. Donaghy, Marie H. (2007). “Exercise can seriously improve your mental health; Fact or fiction. ” Advances in Physiotherapy. 9: 76-88. Kantomaa Marko T. Et al. (2008). “Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Relation to Physical Activity in Youth.
” Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise. 40; 10: 1749-1756. Pollack, Kenneth M. (2001). “Exercise in Treating Depression: Broadening the Psychotherapist’s Role. ” Journal of Clinical Psychology. 57; 11: 1289-1300. Tkachuk, Gregg A. & Martin, Garry L. (1999). “Exercise Therapy for Patients With Psychiatric Disorders: Research and Clinical Implications. ” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 30; 3: 275-282. Wipfli, Bradley M. , Rethorst, Chad D. & Landers, Daniel M. (2008). “The Anxiolytic Effects of Exercise: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials and Dose-Response Analysis. ” Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 30: 392-410.