Windwalker
Contributor
For people who are susceptable to depression, can diving exacerbate the condition?
Depression brought on by Diving
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JPTM
Registered
For sure when you do not dive for a while ...
You bet when you wake up at 5:00am get to the Dive Boat at 6:00am get your gear out.... and then the Skipper arrives and says "Sorry boys swells to big, who wants a beer for breakfast "?
Not a doctor here, but I can relate something that happened to me about a year ago.
I was diving in Thailand when I got news one very good friend of mine had committed suicide.
I think that being underwater was a very good prevention in order to avoid depression.
I was diving in Thailand when I got news one very good friend of mine had committed suicide.
I think that being underwater was a very good prevention in order to avoid depression.
zeN||
Guest
My experience is that diving cures depression. Not that I ever get depressed. I just want to kill myself. Ok, not me, but my other self. (help!) Z
blackice
Contributor
I'm no doctor....
but I find that I long for diving .. more than is normal I'm sure .. I hate comming back to work after a diving trip and find my self looking for the next trip almost as soon as I'm back at work ....
maybe I have a problem with work? I dream of getting laid off so I can go work as a dive jockey / DM for 3 months while I get my stuff together ....
maybe it's diving that does it or maybe I'm not to well balanced in the first place .. either way diving doesn't make it better unless I'm diving .
But once you have tasted it you can't give it up ....
=-)
but I find that I long for diving .. more than is normal I'm sure .. I hate comming back to work after a diving trip and find my self looking for the next trip almost as soon as I'm back at work ....
maybe I have a problem with work? I dream of getting laid off so I can go work as a dive jockey / DM for 3 months while I get my stuff together ....
maybe it's diving that does it or maybe I'm not to well balanced in the first place .. either way diving doesn't make it better unless I'm diving .
But once you have tasted it you can't give it up ....
=-)
fins wake
Guest
First, I'm not a doctor and neither am I suffering from depression myself. For various reasons, I'm acquainted with at least part of the issue, though, so I'll venture a layman's answer and hopefully the docs will join in with the real stuff.
Most people who've replied so far don't appear to know what a real "depression" is. I'll run with the DSM IV criteria for a Major Depressive Episode and its part in other diagnoses, e.g. the bipolar ones.
I know a few people who dive with these diagnoses. They're good divers. The diving would certainly appear to relieve the depression for them. This correlates quite closely with what I've seen British doctors suggest in various UK scuba mags.
However, there could conceivably be complications. One relates to the medication that depressed people must take. There have to my knowledge been no laboratory tests of the effects of anti-depressives (or anti-epileptica or in fact, other any such medication) on scuba divers, particularly when at higher partial pressures!
Also, the depression might have widely varying symptoms in different persons. Some might conceivably be more prone to panic attacks than others. A true panic attack under water isn't a very good thing ...
As I said, I'm perfectly comfortable diving with some people with a clear diagnosis of depression. There are others, non-divers, who've considered the sport but where I personally would try to dissuade them from diving ... I don't think it would be good for them, knowing them in private life ...
It's all individual.
My suggestion would therefore that anyone suffering from depression read any further suggestions on this board from the docs, talk to their own psychiatrist about their medication, and then perhaps talk to a diving doctor or call DAN.
Many depressed people dive, and seem to thrive on it. Then again, it could be a problem for other people.
It's a very good question.
Most people who've replied so far don't appear to know what a real "depression" is. I'll run with the DSM IV criteria for a Major Depressive Episode and its part in other diagnoses, e.g. the bipolar ones.
I know a few people who dive with these diagnoses. They're good divers. The diving would certainly appear to relieve the depression for them. This correlates quite closely with what I've seen British doctors suggest in various UK scuba mags.
However, there could conceivably be complications. One relates to the medication that depressed people must take. There have to my knowledge been no laboratory tests of the effects of anti-depressives (or anti-epileptica or in fact, other any such medication) on scuba divers, particularly when at higher partial pressures!
Also, the depression might have widely varying symptoms in different persons. Some might conceivably be more prone to panic attacks than others. A true panic attack under water isn't a very good thing ...
As I said, I'm perfectly comfortable diving with some people with a clear diagnosis of depression. There are others, non-divers, who've considered the sport but where I personally would try to dissuade them from diving ... I don't think it would be good for them, knowing them in private life ...
It's all individual.
My suggestion would therefore that anyone suffering from depression read any further suggestions on this board from the docs, talk to their own psychiatrist about their medication, and then perhaps talk to a diving doctor or call DAN.
Many depressed people dive, and seem to thrive on it. Then again, it could be a problem for other people.
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You have asked, "For people who are susceptible to depression, can diving exacerbate the condition?"
There is no evidence that this is the case. In fact, given what is known about the effect of pleasurable activities, and of vigorous, prolonged and continued physical activity on mood disorder, just the opposite might be expected.
Despite this, I can think of a couple of scuba-related events that could bring on transient & brief feelings of depression.
The first is nitrogen narcosis. While many divers associate this common depth-related phenomenon with feelings of elation or confusion, some divers experience it as an unpleasant mood with sadness, anxiety or irritability.
Another is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar (glucose). While such a state is usually associated with other symptoms & signs as well, on occasion an unpleasant mood with sadness, anxiety or irritability can predominate. This condition may be brought on by changes in diet surrounding a dive vacation, or the physical stresses of diving, e.g., hauling gear, negotiating currents, maintaining body temperature.
However, there is no reason to expect that these events would precipitate a prolonged bout of full blown depression.
As for diving with depression, I suggest that at your leisure you read the "Depression & Diving: Part II. Making the call on recreational diving" article in the Jul/Aug '03 issue of DAN's "Alert Diver" magazine. This piece can be found at http://scuba-doc.com/alertdiver2.html As you will see, factors related to the disorder itself as well as to its treatment must be considered.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
There is no evidence that this is the case. In fact, given what is known about the effect of pleasurable activities, and of vigorous, prolonged and continued physical activity on mood disorder, just the opposite might be expected.
Despite this, I can think of a couple of scuba-related events that could bring on transient & brief feelings of depression.
The first is nitrogen narcosis. While many divers associate this common depth-related phenomenon with feelings of elation or confusion, some divers experience it as an unpleasant mood with sadness, anxiety or irritability.
Another is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar (glucose). While such a state is usually associated with other symptoms & signs as well, on occasion an unpleasant mood with sadness, anxiety or irritability can predominate. This condition may be brought on by changes in diet surrounding a dive vacation, or the physical stresses of diving, e.g., hauling gear, negotiating currents, maintaining body temperature.
However, there is no reason to expect that these events would precipitate a prolonged bout of full blown depression.
As for diving with depression, I suggest that at your leisure you read the "Depression & Diving: Part II. Making the call on recreational diving" article in the Jul/Aug '03 issue of DAN's "Alert Diver" magazine. This piece can be found at http://scuba-doc.com/alertdiver2.html As you will see, factors related to the disorder itself as well as to its treatment must be considered.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
OP
Windwalker
Contributor
Thank you for replying.
My Dive Buddy has Clinical depression, and was, for most of his life on anti-depressants. This weekend we went diving (we did a total of five dives, none deeper then 70 feet) After the vacation, he seemed to get moody and depressed.
(I was too, but for a WHOLE different Reason )
He mentioned to me that his mother (who is a Behavioral Psychologist) said that SCUBA diving, mixed with his Sleep Apnia, and the excess Nitrogen could cause a mood swing twords depression.
This didn't sound right to me, and I was just curious what everyone else thought about depression and Diving.
Currently he is no longer on any anti-depressants.
Thanks again for the excellent information!
My Dive Buddy has Clinical depression, and was, for most of his life on anti-depressants. This weekend we went diving (we did a total of five dives, none deeper then 70 feet) After the vacation, he seemed to get moody and depressed.
(I was too, but for a WHOLE different Reason
)He mentioned to me that his mother (who is a Behavioral Psychologist) said that SCUBA diving, mixed with his Sleep Apnia, and the excess Nitrogen could cause a mood swing twords depression.
This didn't sound right to me, and I was just curious what everyone else thought about depression and Diving.
Currently he is no longer on any anti-depressants.
Thanks again for the excellent information!
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Could be post-vacation blues magnified by his chronic depression. Pleasurable activities were withdrawn and he returned to his customary existence, one which may stimulate psychopathology.
Also, it's unclear when he stopped his antidepressant medication, but the increased moodiness & depression could be a discontinuance-related recrudescence.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Also, it's unclear when he stopped his antidepressant medication, but the increased moodiness & depression could be a discontinuance-related recrudescence.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
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