Major depression is the number one psychological disorder in the western world. It is growing in all age groups, in virtually every community, and the growth is seen most in the young, especially teenagers. This is not surprising as young people face a lot of self imposed pressure – to have the ‘perfect’ body, to be rich, to be famous just to mention a few. Everyday struggles of high unemployment and difficult home lives all slowly take their toll.

The World Health Organisation has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the second most common cause of morbidity worldwide, behind heart disease. Depression is a mental disorder that displays depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

For some time now, the positive link between exercise and mood has been clear. However, Birks (2007) noted that people suffering with depression found it difficult to maintain motivation for exercise due to the sometimes solitary nature of gym-based exercise. Also, in many areas gym membership can be high or there may be a lack of local provision, making it difficult for people to access facilities. Therefore an alternative to independent exercise may prove more beneficial. Recent studies at two different universities found that dance lowers levels of stress hormones and significantly lowers levels of depression.

Dance not only is a great form of physical exercise, attending regular dance classes can also provide wider benefits. Social interaction, shared experience, concentrating on learning a new skill and the self-confidence that can bring all contribute to an improved self-esteem. Dance is also a great form of expression. It can very difficult to talk about feelings and emotions therefore using music and dance to express thoughts may provide the release mechanism needed.

Birks (2007) studied a group of volunteers who all had received a formal diagnosis of depression from their GP or other suitably qualified healthcare professionals. All participants scored 15 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) indicating mild to severe levels of depression.

The participants were asked to attend eight one-hour salsa classes over a nine-week period and after re-assessment at the end of the study all showed notable improvements. Although this study was based on salsa, their is no evidence to suggest that the results wouldn’t be the same using other dance styles, so long as there is a common interest in the style chosen.

If growth is greatest in teenagers, a dance style which speaks to the younger generation such as hip-hop may have a huge impact in terms of releasing anger and pressures as well connecting with other young people facing similar issues. Some of the most influential artists have made very public the personal struggles they have faced, which has then been reflected in the music they have written. “Cleaning out my Closet” by Eminem was written about his mums abusive behaviour and “Everyday Struggle” by Biggie was written about the challenges faced by children growing up. These are issues which young people can relate to, and dancing to this music may help people think about their own personal situations.

For many people, the thought of taking medication for depression is unappealing, however this may be unavoidable and the need for such medication should not be ignored. Dance classes however may be an unexplored option for the many people suffering from depression. Dance may provide a simple form of self help that could be used alone or alongside medication or any other treatment recommended by a GP.

At present, only a small percentage of GPs use exercise as a treatment option for mild to moderate depression and it is not clear how many GPs would use exercise as a preventative measure for those experiencing bouts of low mood, or showing early signs of depression.

There are so many dance classes held in purpose built studios, local gyms, community centres, church halls and school halls up and down the country, there is bound to be something in close proximity to you. Use sites such as the following to find a class local to you:
www.danceweb.co.uk
www.yell.com
www.touchlocal.com
www.freeindex.co.uk

For those people out there struggling with depression, giving dance classes a try may be something small but amazing you can do for yourself. Getting the confidence to attend a regular dance class may provide a change in your mindset you simply weren’t expecting. Learning new dance moves, listening to good music, moving your body, exercising and laughing with others can’t possibly feel the same as sitting at home, feeling lonely. It might not be the answer for everyone, but isn’t it worth a try?

For specific medical advice, please consult with a your GP for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions regarding depression.

References
Birks, M. (2007) The benefits of salsa classes for people with depression. Nursing Times, 103 (10), Pages: 32-33