The American Psychological Association defines bipolar disorder as a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you may find these wild swings from extreme happiness to extreme sadness can be devastating and make everyday life unbearable at times. Alternative therapies such as exercise may help to reduce your symptoms, but consult with your psychiatrist before beginning an exercise program.
Research
A Duke University study in 2000 showed that participants who worked out just 30 minutes at least three times a week found exercise to be just as effective as drug therapy in relieving symptoms of depression in the short term. When researchers extended the study, following the same participants, they found that continued exercise greatly reduced the chances of depression symptoms returning. Only 8 percent of patients in the exercise group experienced a recurrence of depression symptoms, while 38 percent of the drug-only group and 31 percent of the exercise-plus-drug group had returning symptoms.
Expert Insight
Exercise can act as an antidepressant, and it also may have a mood-stabilizing effect, according to Dr. Jim Phelps on PsychEducation.org. In a 2001 study at the University of Liverpool, Dr. P. Salmon concluded that exercise causes an antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect. The mood-stabilizing effects may occur because of an increase in endorphins during exercise that contain the chemical serotonin, which is linked to behavior and mood.
Types of Exercise
Pendulum.org, a source of information, support, and education for bipolar disorder sufferers, recommends aerobic exercise -- such as jogging, running or using cardio equipment -- and non-aerobic exercise or strength training as a means of reducing symptoms. The key to using exercise as a treatment for bipolar disorder is to develop a regularly scheduled routine, the website says.
Time Frame
The Duke University study concluded that at least three 30-minute exercise sessions a week are needed to provide benefit to those suffering with bipolar disorder. If you begin an exercise program as an alternative treatment or in coordination with drug therapy, continue exercising even if you don't experience results, according to Pendulum.org. Improvement may not be immediate; most individuals can expect to see the effects of exercise after a few weeks or a month.
Warning
Before beginning an exercise routine, seek the advice of a medical professional as well as your psychiatrist. While exercise releases endorphins that may lead to decreased symptoms of depression, these endorphins also may lower your perception of pain. If you feel pain while working out, immediately discontinue exercise and seek medical attention.
