Gaining the support of associate

KOM Information Memorandum KOM Defined Terms KOM Challenge Series Calendar and Event Costs to 2012 KOM Summary Bullet Points KOM SWOT Analysis

Section 13(B)(a)(i) Experiences and views of 5 professionals/clinics in treating or being affected by Depression:

(i) Gail Bell, pharmacist, essay The Worried Well: The Depression Epidemic and the Medicalisation of our Sorrows dated 27 June 2005

Pharmacist Gail Bell, author of The Poison Principle and Shot, investigates how the prescription culture actually operates, basing her findings on interviews with drug reps, GPs and psychiatrists.

Since 1990, the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants has risen from 5 million a year to 12 million in a population of 21 million. Many of these drugs, which are meant to be used only for major depression, are being handed out for less severe cases and are also being prescribed to children.

Ms. Bell -

(a) contends that anti-depressant drugs "on their own" are often not enough because the depressed person returns to the lifestyle out of which the Depression developed;

(b) raises concerns that jiggling neuro transmitters in the brain with drugs where the long-term effects may not be known without a Support Network offers its our perils; and

The Event Organiser contends that recreational bicycle groups provide a useful LCCBSG.

(ii) Rebekah Beddoe, book Dying for a Cure: A memoir of antidepressants, misdiagnosis and madness

Australian, Rebekah Beddoe's, recently released book provides a personal account of an ambitious, successful career woman who was prescribed anti-depressants, after being diagnosed with post natal depression. Rebekah rapidly transformed into chronic psychiatric patient. Two years after being prescribed an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) by her GP, Rebekah was taking six different drugs, including lithium, a tranquilliser, an antipsychotic, and anti-depressants. She had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; given electric-shock therapy; made numerous attempts on her life; and was alternately manic and consumed by crippling despair during which she could barely move.

Another legacy is Type 1 Diabetes. Rebekah's book, Dying for a Cure, and listening to her lucid, coherent accounts when interviewed on ABC Radio in early April is patent testimony that not all people suffering a bout of Depression can take an SSRI, and many more should not without an effective Support Network. Yet 12 million SSRI are prescribed annually in Australia.

The Event Organiser contends that recreational bicycle groups provide a useful LCCBSG.

(iii) Michael D. Yapko Ph.D., clinical psychologist, Fallbrook, California, USA, author of Breaking the Patterns of Depression

Michael D. Yapko Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist from Fallbrook, California. His internationally respected book, Breaking the Patterns of Depression succinctly and accurately describes this complex illness as:

Most depressed people think, feel and act out of a depressive perspective that is distorted and hurtful, and then make the mistake of actually believing this perspective is a God-given truth.

Dr Yapko believes that since Depression is rising so fast in the community, it can't all be biological - the environment in which we live, how we react to it and our attitude of mind, plays an important role... so important in fact that trying to change the way we think about ourselves is often as crucial or more crucial than medications.

The Event Organiser contends that Cycling in a Recreational Bicycle Groups which rides rigorous challenge rides seeking new challenges provides a sense of achievement which provides material therapeutic benefits.

(iv) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA

The esteemed "Mayo Clinic Proceedings" medical journal for Dec 2006 published the findings of research into the behavioural patters of 6,958 men and women who entered the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the mid-1960s and concluded that "Optimists may enjoy longer lives than people with a dimmer outlook on the future".

"Optimists are less likely to suffer from Depression than are pessimists, which could, in turn, affect their physical health. They may also maintain a healthier lifestyle, paying more attention to their diet and exercise habits."

The Mayo Clinic published an even longer report that optimists suffering head, neck and thyroid cancers experience a higher QOL (Quality of Life) than pessimists.

A committed endurance cyclist wouldn't have to read 15 pages of empirical evidence of the behavioural patterns of 6,958 adults over 40 years, or case studies of suffers of head, neck and thyroid cancers, to know that giving the body and brain a regular does of aerobic exercise under a collegiate environment elevates their esteem and better equips them to enjoy life more, live longer and better handle life's difficult problems that from time to time beset us all. It is difficult to be depressed if you are on top of the world from successful athletic achievement.

(v) Nick Taylor, La Trobe University's School of Physiotherapy, article titled "Exercise & Depression".

The Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia ("MPA") is a National Special Group of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Early in 2007 the MPA released Issue 1 of a new one-line magazine "In Touch". The Contents of "In Touch" fleetingly describes immediately below an excellent article which commenced on page 17 of Issue 1:

"EFFECT OF EXERCISE
La Trobe University's Nick Taylor looks at the effect of exercise on Depression - how patients can benefit from getting active."

The article titled "Exercise & Depression" by Nick Taylor of La Trobe University's School of Physiotherapy is a marvellous summation of the material benefits that rigorous, weight-bearing exercise can play to -

(A) enhance Wellbeing in stable people; and

(B) directly assist people experiencing a bout of Depression dissipate self-doubt and regain self-esteem.

Nick Taylor's 4 page article, which refers to research done by Lawlor and Hopker published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 is a blue print of the arguments presented in this Information Memorandum supporting rigorous, weight bearing exercise within a collegiate social environment as an effective therapy for (A) and (B) above. However, the Annual KOM Challenge Series will take Nick Taylor's recommended support therapy materially further -

(I) at a fraction of the collective cost of engaging one-on-one consultation with a physiotherapist; and

(II) by providing a viable collegiate theopathic environment cycling up favourite marvellous mountains on the outskirts of nearly all capital cities amongst like-minded positive folk.

The Event Organiser has commented on many of the key paragraphs in Nick Taylor's excellent article to inter alia highlight that the KOM Challenge Series will achieve the supplementary support identified by Nick Taylor, but more accessible, cheaper and more enjoyably.

During a life time playing team sports, and 37 years in the workforce, the Event Organiser's experience is that rigorous exercise in a social, team environment strengthens both mind and body where the person then believes they are mentally and physical tougher after having experienced and recovered from the temporary mental illness.

Anyone who has ridden with a road cycling group can relate to the associated camaraderie and bonhomie. The KOM Challenge Series can provide a LCCBSG identified in Gail Bell's essay [(i) above].

Physiotherapist, Nick Taylor's, abovementioned article are a testament that a congenial team support network is beneficial, particularly for people experiencing mild to moderate Depression.

Other articles on the merit of exercise to enhance self-esteem include:

* Why exercise cheers you up by doctors at Nottingham Trent University, UK

* Getting High on Exercise by Sueann Allen.

* Psychological Health by the Cycling Promotion Fund.