Very interesting tid bit on Depression and Posture. Worth trying!
Physiology & Posture & Depression
The way you stand, the way you sit, the way you talk and walk - all have an effect on your emotions. In fact, studies have established that if we stand upright, head erect, smile and breathe deeply, it is impossible to 'feel' depressed. In one study involving manic depressive patients who had been on medication for twenty years, it was found that, whilst they all did this, none required medication. Whilst this will not deal with underlying emotional causes, it is a relevant factor in helping control symptoms.
(1) K jensen et al., The Lancet Nov 8 1975, p.920.
(2) The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (Rodale Press Inc) p131.
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I reckon it's a bit of a chicken and the egg thing. When I'm depressed, my normally beautiful posture goes straight out the window! It's how my friends know I'm down, my posture changes completely.
Kat, you amaze me! You always find the neatest things for us to read. Thanks!
As much as I'd love, LOVE to believe this 100%, I'm with Kath. Especially since they used Bipolars in the study. Bipolar depression tends to be a bit different from average Clinical Depression. One of those differences is something called "psycho-motor retardation", or in human speak, moving very slowly and dejectedly. When your average Bipolar is depressed, it is truly impossible for them to hide this fact. Their body is the picture of "depression".
What's truly funny to me is that I have tried to hide it. First occupationally, and now with both my therapist and psychiatrist. I absolutely hate going on antidepressants and I know they'll try to put me on them if they "catch" me. So I psych myself up before my appointment, throw my shoulders back, put on as natural of a smile as I can, sit properly in the chair, meet their gaze, and I'm still greeted with, "So how do you feel? You seem really down" How do they know???!!! I normally have excellent posture, so that's not it.
My shrink told me it's impossible to "fake out" experienced mental health professionals. My shoulders might be back, but they still have a bit of a slump to them they normally wouldn't. I move slower, and that you just can't control. There's a million "clues".
I still don't think it could hurt to TRY!!! Especially if you have Clinical Depression; or heck, even Bipolar. Good posture is just that... good
I'd love to read this whole study, as this abstract is very brief, but I'm not sure how far back Pubmed goes (and this is from 1975) and if they would have the full text available. I'd love to know the study duration (Bipolars, especially Type I, can be asymptomatic for a year or more), number of participants, and even what time of the year it took place (many Bipolars have a seasonal component to their illness, and notice they didn't say they weren't hypomanic or manic, just that it was "impossible for them to feel depressed". Yep, it sure is when you're off your meds and hypomanic! Good posture or no!).
But all of that aside, it really couldn't hurt to try! Good posture is so important in so many ways!
Dana
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Very interesting tid bit on Depression and Posture. Worth trying! 
How do they know???!!! I normally have excellent posture, so that's not it.
Good posture or no!).
