Abstract
A 24-year-old woman with symptoms of major depressive disorder and anxiety had been treated for the condition since the age of 17. Symptoms were resistant to fluoxetine and then citalopram. Following the birth of her daughter, she wanted to be medication-free and symptom-free. A programme of weekly open (cold) water swimming was trialled. This led to an immediate improvement in mood following each swim and a sustained and gradual reduction in symptoms of depression, and consequently a reduction in, and then cessation of, medication. On follow-up a year later, she remains medication-free.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | BMJ Case Reports |
Early online date | 21 Aug 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Early online - 21 Aug 2018 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Open water swimming as a treatment for major depressive disorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Datasets
-
Data availability statement for 'Open water swimming as a treatment for major depressive disorder'.
Van Tulleken, C. (Creator), Tipton, M. (Creator), Massey, H. (Creator) & Harper, C. M. (Creator), BMJ Publishing Group, 21 Aug 2018
Dataset
Press/Media
-
Cold water swimming and mental health
12/09/18 → 30/11/19
8 items of Media coverage, 9 Media contributions
Press/Media: Expert comment