More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. Hypochondria affects approximately 6 % of the population. Approximately 30% of the world’s population is obese or overweight. More than 64 million people in the United States jog or run. Over 17 million individuals finished running events in the United States. “Master runners” (those 40 and over) make up more than 40 percent of female marathon finishers and more than half of male finishers. In the United States, more than 36% of households have a dog. Fifty-three percent of the world population is unhappy. Eighteen million Americans meditate. Ten to fifteen percent of grieving people will become depressed. The number of runs for charity has increased by 70% in the past ten years. Early versions of Depression Hates a Moving Target were a semi-finalist and short- listed for the William Faulkner-Wisdom Award in Creative Nonfiction. Nominated for the Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Award Featured in Health Magazine Featured on the WNBA-SF blog Featured on Word Carver podcast Received the Dublin Arts Council’s Poet’s Choice Award Has taught creative writing for more than twenty years Has run three full marathons, twenty-six half marathons (in eighteen states), and more than sixty shorter races. Member of Half Fanatics half marathon club with over 20,000 members Member of Fifty States half marathon club with more than 1,500 members Member of 100 Half Marathons club with approximately 1,000 members Member of Running with Dogs Facebook group with more than 1,000 members Member of six Facebook groups for Sparkle Skirts (TM) athletic wear with a combined total of 10,000 members Member of Marathoner in Training central Ohio running group with more than 1,200 participants Member of Dead Runners Society with nearly 1,000 members Member of Still I Run with more than 2,000 members Long-time student of and former assistant to best-selling author Natalie Goldberg Publishes the blog, BumGlue Publishes Write Now Newsletter monthly email with more than 2,000 subscribers Published in magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. Member of the National Association of Memoir Writers Member of the Ohio Writers Guild

Running Can Be the Best Therapy for Depression

“Nita's brave, honest book imparts hard-won lessons on using running to combat depression.” ―Scott Douglas, contributing writer for Runner's World and author of Running Is My Therapy

#1 Best Seller in Running & Jogging, Exercise & Fitness, Depression, and Bipolar Disorder

An unforgettable story of tenacity, running therapy, beating depression, and the companionship of a dog. The Dog Writers Association of America awarded Nita Sweeney a Maxwell Medallion for excellence in writing about the Human/Animal Bond for her memoir.

Running is my therapy. Before she discovered running therapy, Nita Sweeney was 49 years-old, chronically depressed, occasionally manic, and unable to jog for more than 60 seconds at a time. Using running, Nita discovered an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed, and with the help of her canine companion, she found herself on the way to completing her first marathon. In her memoir, Sweeney shares how she overcame emotional and physical challenges to finish the race and come back from the brink.

It's the best therapy for depression. Anyone who has struggled with depression knows the ways the mind can defeat you. However, it is possible to transform yourself with the power of running. You may learn that you can endure more than you think, and that there’s no other depression therapy quite like pavement beneath your feet.

Depression Hates a Moving Target is a witty and poignant story of rediscovery. Whether you’re born to run or just looking for rebirth:

• Be inspired by the powerful story of one woman―and her dog
• Cheer on Nita as she endures the challenges of a marathon and a mind in turmoil
• Discover the power of running to overcome obstacles and boost your mental health

If you loved running books like Born to Run or Let Your Mind Run, you’ll love Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink.