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Depression and cycling

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  • December 4, 2011 at 9:38 am #14569
    lazyusername

    Following the Graeme Obree interview thought it might be useful to have a thread to discuss some of the issues highlighted by the interview.

    I’m going to try and kick things off in a positive manner and simply share what works for me. I have a depression diagnosis and cycling is massively beneficial. I can’t remember a ride where I have got back and felt worse. Slogging my guts out trying to keep a quick pace up or just buggering off for three or four hours and unwinding through the lanes it’s all good

    I haven’t started this thread as a ‘this is what you need to do because it worked for me’ type thing. Just thought there were a lot people commenting on the interview and it might be beneficial to have a thread to discuss whatever the hell you like

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  • January 9, 2012 at 1:51 pm #658357
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    lushmiester

    Depression in sport appears
    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.

    January 7, 2012 at 10:04 am #658355
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    johnboymitchell

    I wholeheartidly agree of the
    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!

    January 4, 2012 at 10:48 pm #658353
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    chrisc

    I don’t think I suffer from
    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.

    January 3, 2012 at 1:08 pm #658351
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    AaronM

    Ive had depression on and off
    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.

    December 19, 2011 at 6:42 pm #658349
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    aslongasicycle

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

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

    December 19, 2011 at 5:44 pm #658347
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    Fish_n_Chips

    I get seasonal winter blues
    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!

    đŸ™‚

    December 19, 2011 at 5:14 pm #658345
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    aslongasicycle

    Please look at our site
    Please look at our site http://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!)

    December 13, 2011 at 8:11 pm #658343
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    lazyusername

    Sorry wyadvd I do know what
    Sorry wyadvd I do know what you mean, I suppose the vast majority of of motorists are driving round in their own little bubbles and pretty detached from the consequences of inconsiderate/aggressive driving.

    I don’t know whether you have had a look at defensive/aggressive (it’s the same thing) cycling and your positioning on the road, worth a google. Mind you I do live out in the sticks and others might have better advise on city riding – I’m assuming that’s where you’re based

    December 13, 2011 at 6:38 pm #658341
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    wyadvd

    lazyusername wrote:Rugby

    lazyusername wrote:
    Rugby league taking the issue seriously is fantastic, there has also been a fair amount of discussion of the subject in Cricket over the past year following big names talking about there experiences.

    Probably repeating myself here but I have had a week where I could only do some indoor rowing, not the same. A couple of outdoor spins have an incomparable effect. I reckon it’s something to do with the repetitive rhythm and of course the pain and the knowledge you can’t stop (unless there’s cake). Actually that’s prob rubbish works for me though đŸ˜€

    wyadvd I find swearing is of great help with inconsiderate drivers. That said I was having a near miss pretty much once a week for the month of October I’m now fully Hi-Vised up and much safer

    Toodle pip

    yeah it wasnt so much the dangerous incidents per se, but the times when motorists verbally abuse or physically bully via the actual way they choose to drive around cyclists (in a way they wouldnt behave around any other road user). I dont know if they realise it, but because cycling is such an important part of who I am now, and keeps me sane in some sense, it hurts me more than it annoys me if you get my drift.

    December 12, 2011 at 6:38 pm #658339
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    lazyusername

    Rugby league taking the issue
    Rugby league taking the issue seriously is fantastic, there has also been a fair amount of discussion of the subject in Cricket over the past year following big names talking about there experiences.

    Probably repeating myself here but I have had a week where I could only do some indoor rowing, not the same. A couple of outdoor spins have an incomparable effect. I reckon it’s something to do with the repetitive rhythm and of course the pain and the knowledge you can’t stop (unless there’s cake). Actually that’s prob rubbish works for me though đŸ˜€

    wyadvd I find swearing is of great help with inconsiderate drivers. That said I was having a near miss pretty much once a week for the month of October I’m now fully Hi-Vised up and much safer

    Toodle pip

    December 12, 2011 at 5:26 pm #658337
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    Super Domestique

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

    December 12, 2011 at 4:46 pm #658335
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    shollin

    This is lovely to see, you
    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 đŸ˜€

    December 11, 2011 at 7:41 pm #658333
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    andybnk

    Thanks lazyusername a great
    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!

    December 9, 2011 at 10:01 am #658331
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    James Warrener

    There are a number of strands
    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-rugby-gets-running.html

    December 8, 2011 at 8:48 pm #658329
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    wyadvd

    I find that I am almost so
    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?

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