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Sky Diving Cured My Depression

nytimes.com

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Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#61

Post by tbabb »

Between middle and high school, I went to summer camp, where there was a ropes course. I remember how scary it was to jump from the 60 foot platform, even knowing that the zipline harness would catch me. It was an experience of being very scared, but pushing through the fear, and then getting the instant reward of how much fun it is to whoosh through the air and accomplish something difficult.

Though probably less scary than skydiving, it is still considerably scarier than most things people ever encounter in everyday life. And you can't quietly shy away from it, either, the way you often can from social situations or intimidating opportunities or novelty in real life; you're standing there on the platform, everyone is watching and cheering you on; and success is binary-- either you jump, or you are shamefully lowered back down to the ground (which is still probably not much less scary anyway).

I didn't think of that experience of being very important, but it occurred to me recently that many people have never had that experience-- of being very scared, but pushing through it. It resets your baseline for fear, and it shows you what you are capable of. It is, I think, important training for the skill of managing any strong emotion, but particularly fear.

It is a kind of experience I think everyone should have in their life, ideally early on.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#62

Post by petre »

passivepinetree wrote: post #46
phkahler wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've found learning to fly is really good too. There's an element of danger, physical skills, a lot of focus, a lot of learning (the experiential kind too), putting yourself in a completely different place than you've ever been, and an instructor to walk you through it. Highly recommended.

The only problem is learning to fly is prohibitively expensive for most people. Skydiving is a much cheaper activity.

Paragliding is even cheaper.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#63

Post by marssaxman »

taneq wrote: post #9

Motorcycling can do this too. I've ridden with quite a few people who get depressed if they can't ride.

It works for me, in a really remarkable way. My bike broke down twice last year, and I couldn't ride for over a week each time; it was really remarkable to notice how dramatically my mood improved when I got the machine back. I hadn't noticed that I was getting depressed, but I sure noticed the feeling after I got back on two wheels - like drawing in a deep breath, as clarity and calm returned.

Sometimes I use the bike that way on purpose, not to go anywhere but simply to improve my mood. A quick run out east on the highway, up to the mountains and back, will usually knock me out of whatever loop I've got stuck in. I think it has something to do with the way that you have to stay present, immersed in the moment, aware of everything going on around you; there's still some room in the brain for higher-level thought, but you have a base of calm presence to work from.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#64

Post by scotty79 »

RobertRoberts wrote: post #57
reificator wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Purely on gut instinct I'd put my money on depression.

Bad depression can also hurt every day. Bad skying diving only once. (YEMV)

I'm not trying to say that it's not worth it, because I know depression is horrible daily.

Although when skydiving even when everything goes perfect you still hit ground at pretty high speeds. It must be hard for spine and joints and probably can also cause some daily problems especially at later age.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#65

Post by scotty79 »

wellboy wrote: post #58
scotty79 wrote: post #18

I wonder what gives you grater chance of dying, depression or skydiving?

Skydiving death rate is around 1/1,000,000, depression is around 1/20 IIRC.

Depression - between 1/100 and 1/14 (lifetime)

Skydiving - 1/150000 per jump.

At least according to:

https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abus...

and

https://www.google.pl/amp/s/www.seeker.com/amphtml/how-commo...

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#66

Post by rlpb »

scotty79 wrote: post #64
RobertRoberts wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bad depression can also hurt every day. Bad skying diving only once. (YEMV)

I'm not trying to say that it's not worth it, because I know depression is horrible daily. Although when skydiving even when everything goes perfect you still hit ground at pretty high speeds. It must be hard for spine and joints and probably can also cause some daily problems especially at later age.

> Although when skydiving even when everything goes perfect you still hit ground at pretty high speeds.

No, that's not right. If you can land well, it's certainly no harsher to your body than jumping off a step. If the wind is light then you might have to run a bit. That's all.

Source: I have made hundreds of parachute landings like this.

You might be thinking of round parachutes, which today are not used by sport skydivers.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#68

Post by rotexo »

ljm wrote: post #30
dbg31415 wrote: post #4

I'm not a fan of the clickbait title here. It trivializes depression. I think the only cure for depression is death. Too morbid? You manage depression with behavior and therapy. You can attempt to treat some of the symptoms with drugs. You can break out of a rut by trying new things. But curing depression... like once and for all? That's not realistic. "Sky diving helped me get out of a depressive episode," or "Skydi…

If you take a different perspective, the point isn't to see a one-time treatment that cures an illness, the same way you would with medication and surgery. In that sense death is a cure for anything and it's a total cop-out. I've made two attempts on my own life in the past decade and I'm incredibly grateful that I didn't get the realistic 'cure' I was looking for in those brief moments; in fact it could barely be co…

With you 100% on acceptance. Just to add to the record: in my experience, medication (at its best) hasn’t numbed me, more that it gives me a window to recognize what I’m feeling, which has helped me to continue pursuing the things that I value. YMMV, of course.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#69

Post by ljm »

rotexo wrote: post #68
ljm wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you take a different perspective, the point isn't to see a one-time treatment that cures an illness, the same way you would with medication and surgery. In that sense death is a cure for anything and it's a total cop-out. I've made two attempts on my own life in the past decade and I'm incredibly grateful that I didn't get the realistic 'cure' I was looking for in those brief moments; in fact it could barely be co…

With you 100% on acceptance. Just to add to the record: in my experience, medication (at its best) hasn’t numbed me, more that it gives me a window to recognize what I’m feeling, which has helped me to continue pursuing the things that I value. YMMV, of course.

It totally depends on what you're dealing with and where you're at :) Being on Prozac for the best part of a year helped me out for sure, in terms of keeping me going and not giving in, which in turn led me on to other things. I don't see it as the entire solution or a lifelong treatment (you can't medicate enjoyment and fulfilment) but it can be very effective at giving you an opening or a boost into something new, and in all fairness you can't just suddenly accept, like you're flicking a switch and you're okay with everything.

That window is incredibly important.

Re: Sky Diving Cured My Depression

#70

Post by pbalau »

telesilla wrote: post #44
pbalau wrote: post #16

Sailing did this for me.

Sailing is an incredible way to right yourself. I'm reminded of Bernard Moitessier, who almost won the 1968/69 round-the-world race but quit and decided to keep on sailing: why return to civilisation when you've found true peace already? It's a really great example of how the way we live in modern times just isn't great for our psyche. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Moitessier

You know, I grew up reading one of his books, "Un Vagabond des mers du sud" (in Romanian "Hoinar in marile sudului"). I could bet you a fiver that he is one of the reasons I became obsessed with sailing since a very young age. After moving to London I figured out I am in the best place ever to learn sailing. And here I am now, Level 3 RYA dinghy sailing + just got my power boat license. I will be always grateful to my sailing club (North London Sailing Association) for introducing me to the English sailing culture and helping me get over some crap in my life.
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