An insight into the male menopause
The impacts of menopause on women are now more widely understood, as companies start to recognise the importance of menopause training within the workplace and the conversation becomes more public. Ho...
A mere couple of decades ago, the word ‘depression’ was associated by most people with a passing mood. Not with a chronic illness. Now, however, say the word ‘depression’ to pretty much anyone, and we can all name someone who has or is suffering from the illness. Many of us have struggled with it ourselves.
According to statistics, 19.7% of people in the UK are diagnosed with depression. That’s a huge swathe of the population – and that’s just those who have an official diagnosis. Many millions more are suffering in silence. This is an enormous increase in depression from previous decades. But why?
Partly this statistical increase is down to burgeoning awareness and changing attitudes. We’re more aware of depression than we used to be, and we’re less judgemental about it. This means that more people recognise when they’re getting ill and they’re more prepared to seek treatment. That’s a good thing. However, many believe that there may also be other factors at play. Some experts cite things like social media, an uncertain political and environmental future, the high cost of modern living and so on. Among these factors, lifestyle changes often feature prominently.
It’s no secret that we’re living far more sedentary, indoor lives than we used to. According to the 2017 Physical Inactivity report by the British Heart Foundation:
Nearly a third of adults in the UK are classed as ‘physically inactive’. 39% of British people are failing to meet Government activity guidelines. The average man in the UK spends the equivalent of 78 days per year sitting down. For the average women, it’s 74 days. Health complications caused by sedentary behaviour cost the NHS an estimated £1.2 billion per year. The World Health Organisation ranks physical inactivity as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Sobering stuff – but what has it got to do with depression?
There has long been an established link between exercise (or lack thereof) and depression. In part, this is a bit of a ‘chicken and egg’ argument. Among the symptoms of depression are lethargy and lack of motivation. You’re less likely to get up and go for a run if you’re suffering from depression than you would otherwise be. However, there is a bit more to it than that. Sedentary behaviours are also linked to poor cardiovascular health and a tendency to stay indoors. Both of these things are known to have a negative impact upon the brain, which could contribute to depression. What’s more, studies have shown that if patients with depression can increase their activity levels, they often feel a reduction in their symptoms.
Let’s delve into this a little further:
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