the teen run group therapy a creative “health based” approach to treating adolescent...
TRANSCRIPT
The Teen Run Group Therapy A creative “health based” approach to treating adolescent depression/anxiety
and low self esteem
Dan McGann, Social Worker Child & Family Services
The Credit Valley Hospital
MY RUNNING FRIEND (Unique bonding)“We talk about everything under the sun . . . and I don't even know her last name”By Michele Bender – Runner’s World Magazine, Aug 2007
"When you run sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles together, you trust each other, bare your souls to each other, and help each other heal."Dr."Ozzie" Gontang, Ph.D.,
Numerous studies have shown that exercise stimulates the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and beta-endorphin, all of which elevate mood and reduce depression and anxiety.
“What is said on the road, stays on the road.”
Run Dan Run!!
My own depressionStarted to runTraining for 10 yearsCompleting my first Marathon- May 2006Created a Program
Adolescence & DepressionMajor Public Health Issue
10-20% Depressive Disorder
25-50% Associated Anxiety Disorder
20% Associated Substance Use Disorder
70% of depressed adolescents will have a 2nd episode within 5 years
10-20% - ultimate diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
80% of Suicidal Adolescents suffer with depression
Suicide is the 2rd leading cause of death in Adolescents
Small minority of Adolescents receive treatment
Minority complete treatment
Traditional treatments such as medication and psychotherapy have limited efficacy.
Psychological Treatments
Modest Benefit:
I.P.T. C.B.T.
BiologicalTADS combination of Fluoxetine &
therapy
Handful of drug trials demonstrating effectiveness
Many drug trials showing no benefit
High drop out from medication
Compliance Issues
Side effects
Recent concerns regarding increase in suicidal ideation
Conventional Psychotherapy
Requires “Face to face” communication of thoughts and feelings
Focus on painful and emotional issues
Office based sessions reinforce the “sick-role”
The Running GroupGroup support
Out of the “office”
Mastering a skill
Integration of mind & Body
Indirect learning (less threatening)
Control & Predictability
Structure & Routine
Audio, visual, kinesthetic learning
Action vs. Passivity
Mastery vs. Victimization
Changes the internal narrative
Endorphin release
“Runner’s High”
ProposalAdolescent group 14 – 19 yearsDepression/AnxietyPre-test for BaselineTeach them to run 3X/wk/12 wksCommunity Race 5K/10KPost-test for comparisonAll teens are medically cleared by their family
Doc and waiver signed by parents
Our Sponsors
Personal donations from: Dr. David Rosen Dr. Marino Battigelli Tina Triano Stan and Jessie Solarski Dan McGann *Youth Branch – CVH Volunteer Services
Volunteer Coaches
Impact on coaching staff is amazing – the power of “giving back”
Program FormatA gradual skill/endurance building
1:1 ----------------------- 10:1
30 minutes
12 Weeks
FrequencyTuesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:45Guest speaker and short run
Saturday at 8:30 - 9:30 am ~ longer runs
Each teen was also asked to run one more time through the week independently and record on their log sheet.
Our SpeakersJeff Stapleton, Running CoachDr. Ian MacIntyre – sports physicianSandy Beckett, PhysiotherapistHeidi Nixdorf & Sandra Gabriel ~
DieticiansDan McGann, Psychology of RunningDetective Sean Sullivan (Capt Peel Police
Run team)John Knox – core trainingRick Ball - Paralympics -Team CanadaTom Lettner, Senior Runner/Ironman
Group CharacteristicsAge range: 14 to 19 years
Gender: 22 males – 21 females – 11 are parents
Diagnosis: 2/3rds anxiety ~ 1/3rd depression
43 participants in total
Teen Run Log
Scale mood pre run?/10Scale mood post run ?/10
Note conditions, distance and timeSpace also provided for comments
What they Learn
How to take a goal, break it down, and achieve through small steps.
Impact of mood on performance
Importance of structure & routine
Being supportive of others - being supported by others (looping)
Influence of diet on energy
Increased self awareness through use of your running log book
Learning skills in developing “mental toughness” “the ability to keep going and stay positive and focused when faced with challenges” (long runs, hills)
Learn from their mistakes (lessons/opportunities for new learning) - not to over-react
Learn form others - from their mistakes
Learn to run softy and silently (no drama)
Learn how to talk and breathe as they run
Developing positive cognitive skills (positive thinking, focus, etc)
•How to look at challenges and obstacles (hills) as good teachers and How to look at challenges and obstacles (hills) as good teachers and skill buildersskill builders
Learn to pace themselves - when to hold back and when to push in order to complete a run well and in a good time.
That action (running) in the face of adversity is much better than standing still or retreating
Run towards your fears not away from them.
How to celebrate their achievements and meet their goals! (end run cheer/grad party with personalized certificates)
Teen Comments
“I can’t believe I ran that far!”“Running for me is better than making out
with boys I don’t know or cutting myself.”“Headache, legs hurt ~ never felt better!”“I liked running in the rain today.”“The run helped me to feel relaxed and de
stressed ”
Parent Comments“My son seems more relaxed after each
run ~ very satisfied with what he’s accomplished.”
“I found that her confidence level increased as the time went on. I think that it has made such a difference to her to actually see tangible results.”
“His mood and anxiety levels seem improved.”
“She said that she could actually feel her spirits lift after each run.”
New ResearchMSW Thesis “Evaluation of Running Group Therapy
with Youth” ~ qualitative
Family Run Program; “The value of running to improve the quality of the parent- teen relationship” – pre and post scale
Continued pre and post test using the RCMASRevised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale
Collaborative Research with University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry
Pre and post run log recording
Lesleigh's Story
Lesleigh completes her 1st Half Marathon