Freud referred to depression as ‘internalised aggression as a result of losing sources of love and security’. The feeling of helplessness that is created as a result and that often goes hand-in-hand with negative expectations about our own performance can start to shift when you take up running.
Running therapy is an extremely effective method for generating success experiences, reducing depressive feelings and improving confidence in our own abilities. A running therapist, however, can also be an important link within a multidisciplinary approach to anxiety disorders and various psychiatric illnesses (eating disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders).
In order to use running as an effective resource, objective and measurable performance improvements are used, such as extending training duration or being able to maintain a specific heart rate for a longer period. Running is highly valued as an activity; there is no comparison to other runners and performance goals are not set.
