Prevalence of mind and body exercises (MBE) in relation to demographics, self-rated health, and purchases of prescribed psychotropic drugs and analgesics

Mind and body exercises (MBE), prescribed antidepressant medication, physical exercise and depressive symptoms - a longitudinal study

AIMS

Earlier studies show that participation in mind and body exercises (MBE) is cross-sectionally associated with high levels of depressive symptoms and antidepressants. This study investigates the longitudinal interrelationship between depressive symptoms, MBE and antidepressants.

METHODS

3269 men and 4318 women aged 24-74 years participated in the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH). Measures of MBE practice and depressive symptoms were drawn from the SLOSH questionnaire, data on prescription drugs were obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze temporal relationships.

RESULTS

Both MBE practice and antidepressants in 2012 was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms two years later. Depressive symptoms in turn were associated with higher levels of later MBE practice and antidepressants. These relationships seemed to be explained by confounding by indication and were of higher magnitude for antidepressants than for MBE.

CONCLUSION

Overall, SEM analysis shows that MBE and antidepressant treatment were both bi-directionally associated with depressive symptoms over time. Part of the explanation is likely to be confounding by indication: those with symptoms of depression more likely to undertake treatment, and MBE alone may be more common among those with less severe depression. The results clarify some of our findings from earlier studies and give some important, new information on what people are doing to manage depressive symptoms on a societal level, regarding self-care, medication, and the combination of both.

Stress, mindfulness, and the allergic patient

INTRODUCTION

The global incidence and prevalence of allergic diseases are increasing as is the intensity and duration of excessive psychological stress due to multiple factors associated with living in today's world such as personal, social and political unrest, increased fear and anxiety, and/or depression often leading to hopelessness. Both allergy and chronic psychological stress are characterized by immune imbalances that have similar characteristics. Thus, it is reasonable to posit that the two are interactive and stress may induce as well as complicate at least some allergic diseases. Areas covered: Stress management/reduction has been proposed with various physical, pharmacological, and psychological interventions for both preventive and therapeutic reasons. A useful intervention involves mindfulness techniques, which allow the individual to put their life situation in context for better personal management. Expert commentary: Future studies must be developed that will further examine the role of excess psychological stress in specific allergic diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of various stress intervention protocols, particularly those involving mindfulness, to determine which individual would best respond clinically to which intervention. When this is accomplished, assessment and treatment of psychological stress will become a standard component of clinical care for allergy, asthma, and other immune-based diseases.