Symptoms Of Depression Dsm Iv
Q: A brisk 30-minute walk or jog around the track three times a
week may be just as effective in relieving the symptoms of major depression
as the standard treatment of anti-depressant medications, according to the
results of a Duke University Medical Center study.
The researchers studied 156 elderly patients diagnosed with major depressive
disorder (MDD) and assigned them to three groups: exercise, medication, or a
combination of medication and exercise. To the surprise of the researchers,
after 16 weeks all three groups showed statistically significant and similar
improvement in measurements of depression.
A:Symptoms of MDD, as defined by the psychiatric reference book Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV), include depressed mood or loss of interest
or pleasure combined with at least four of the following: sleep
disturbances, weight loss, changes in appetite, psychomotor agitation,
feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, impaired cognition or
concentration and recurrent thoughts of death.
Based on the DSM-IV definition of depression, 60.4 percent of the patients
who only exercised were no longer depressed after 16 weeks, compared with
65.5 percent for the medication group and 68.8 percent of the combination
group. When a second commonly used measure of depression, the Hamilton
Rating Scale for Depression, was added, 47.2 percent of exercise group were
no longer considered depressed, compared to 56 percent of medication group
and 47 percent of combination.
In both cases, according to Blumenthal, the differences between the groups
were not statistically significant.
Researchers did note that patients who took the anti-depressants saw their
symptoms relieved sooner, but by 16 weeks the group differences had
disappeared.
Blumenthal said it was possible that the structured and supportive
atmosphere of the exercise program also could have an effect in improving
the symptoms of the exercise group, but he doesn't attribute the majority of
the benefit to social support. Studies have shown that improved levels of
physical fitness are related to improved symptoms of depression, he said.
Nevertheless, early next year, Blumenthal plans to begin a new study to
gauge the effect of exercising in a less-supportive atmosphere, and he also
plans to include a placebo group.
My husband sent it to me this morning and I found it most interesting.
There seem to be more and more studies like this, weighing the success of
acupuncture, exercise, etc., as tools against depression..... or perhaps I
am just more aware of them!
well aware of your speedy accomplishments so keep it up. many people get put
off by these studies as they