Evolutionary Fitness as a treatment for depression
Posted Mar 05 2009 6:17am
This talk by Dr. Stephen Ilardi is remarkable in two ways: 1. it relies on evolutionary psychology to develop six lifestyle changes or therapies one can adopt to relieve depression or prevent it, and 2. it reads like the Evolutionary Fitness (EF) lifestyle I have been recommending (it even begins with the same quote I begin my EF Seminar with) for years. Depression is serious stuff and damages more lives than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. And it is rising for reasons Dr. Ilardi explains and which I have believed for years. We are living a life far different from the one our genes, minds, and bodies are adapted to. And the distance grows each decade and depression rises with it.
Do have a listen to Stone Age Therapies by Dr. Ilardi. And get yourself and your kids outside.
I particularly enjoyed the part about the lab rat who refuses to run on the treadmill and just sits there as the spinning wheel wears its fur off of its behind.
He does undervalue, in my opinion, the virtues of muscle mass and physiologic capacity (metabolic headroom), though I do think he would include them if he thought depressed individuals were capable of that level of effort. He extolls the value of exercise but does not seem to see the aerobic component of intermittent training. Were it pointed out to him, I feel that he would be even more open to the right kind of strength training the EF way.
Here is a comment from a subscriber to my private blog who has cured his depression by following EF.
Yes, bravo! Have been on EF for 11 months and have had an amazing improvement in my mood. Diagnosed with depression and tried everything. Did the anti-depresants for years and just got unhealthier (flabby) and more depressed….Fast forward to EF, Cod-liver oil, lots of outdoor activity and viola–completely different and much, much happier and not longer depressed–oh and off the meds for 9 months. Feel better than ever. Thanks EF. Did it with medical supervision. One day the link between sugars, simple carbs, indoor work, poor physical condition will be more robustly established. My psyciahtrist notes that there is strong evidence that strength training alleviates depression. Course he says that under current incentive system he would go broke suggesting his depressed patients take up EF…. Oh and the improved appearance does wonders for self esteem. This 46 year old has been getting chatted up by the 20 somethings–that alone is better than 10 mg of Prozac! Oh and not too mention what this has all done for my career and productivity
This talk by Dr. Stephen Ilardi is remarkable in two ways: 1. it relies on evolutionary psychology to develop six lifestyle changes or therapies one can adopt to relieve depression or prevent it, and 2. it reads like the Evolutionary Fitness (EF) lifestyle I have been recommending (it even begins with the same quote I begin my EF Seminar with) for years. Depression is serious stuff and damages more lives than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. And it is rising for reasons Dr. Ilardi explains and which I have believed for years. We are living a life far different from the one our genes, minds, and bodies are adapted to. And the distance grows each decade and depression rises with it.
Do have a listen to Stone Age Therapies by Dr. Ilardi. And get yourself and your kids outside.
I particularly enjoyed the part about the lab rat who refuses to run on the treadmill and just sits there as the spinning wheel wears its fur off of its behind.
He does undervalue, in my opinion, the virtues of muscle mass and physiologic capacity (metabolic headroom), though I do think he would include them if he thought depressed individuals were capable of that level of effort. He extolls the value of exercise but does not seem to see the aerobic component of intermittent training. Were it pointed out to him, I feel that he would be even more open to the right kind of strength training the EF way.
Here is a comment from a subscriber to my private blog who has cured his depression by following EF.
Yes, bravo! Have been on EF for 11 months and have had an amazing improvement in my mood. Diagnosed with depression and tried everything. Did the anti-depresants for years and just got unhealthier (flabby) and more depressed….Fast forward to EF, Cod-liver oil, lots of outdoor activity and viola–completely different and much, much happier and not longer depressed–oh and off the meds for 9 months. Feel better than ever. Thanks EF. Did it with medical supervision. One day the link between sugars, simple carbs, indoor work, poor physical condition will be more robustly established. My psyciahtrist notes that there is strong evidence that strength training alleviates depression. Course he says that under current incentive system he would go broke suggesting his depressed patients take up EF…. Oh and the improved appearance does wonders for self esteem. This 46 year old has been getting chatted up by the 20 somethings–that alone is better than 10 mg of Prozac! Oh and not too mention what this has all done for my career and productivity