Keeping the “Black Dog” at Bay: Cycling and Depression.

[ripvanrando]

Riding my bike has always alleviated stress and anxiety for me but physical issues have interfered with my riding medicine.

So, based on what I thought needed training, I sought a therapist out with those skills/expertise and waited for an opening. 4 months into it, therapy is helping. Initially, I thought 2 months and I'd be cured. Then, I realized that sort of improvement would be like someone 100 pounds overweight hiring a coach and asking, "Hey coach, will I be at 4 W/Kg for the summer races?" When I shared that analogy with her, she laughed and agreed. I would say that step was the hardest thing in my life to do but hopefully sharing that might give someone else the courage to take a similar leap.

Yes, professionals are not free and for whatever reasons, they like to be paid cash and you deal with your insurance. So, maybe they charge $150-200 for 45-50 minutes, your insurance might cover half that and you pay the rest or you might be on the hook for all of it. A real limitation. Some cost much higher than that.