Your opinion on depression

[Regina]

There was just a study on depression in the news:

Exercise on par with drugs for aiding depression - Yahoo! News

"There are several theories on why exercise might improve depression. For example, physical activity seems to affect some key nervous system chemicals -- norepinephrine and serotonin -- that are targets of antidepressant drugs, as well as brain neurotrophins, which help protect nerve cells from injury and transmit signals in brain regions related to mood.
Exercise may also boost people's feelings of self-efficacy and promote positive thinking. Some experts speculate that group exercise, with its social aspect, may have added benefits."

This study suggests that exercise may be a viable alternative to medication or in addition to the medication and group exercise therapy. I was just wondering your opinion on this topic.

[Mistress Trista]

What was it Reese said in Legally Blonde?? Exercise gives you endorphins...endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands...

I would believe that study. Exercise seems to be the cure for alot of what ails you. So why am I still sitting on my ass??

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Regina

There was just a study on depression in the news:

Exercise on par with drugs for aiding depression - Yahoo! News

"There are several theories on why exercise might improve depression. For example, physical activity seems to affect some key nervous system chemicals -- norepinephrine and serotonin -- that are targets of antidepressant drugs, as well as brain neurotrophins, which help protect nerve cells from injury and transmit signals in brain regions related to mood.
Exercise may also boost people's feelings of self-efficacy and promote positive thinking. Some experts speculate that group exercise, with its social aspect, may have added benefits."

This study suggests that exercise may be a viable alternative to medication or in addition to the medication and group exercise therapy. I was just wondering your opinion on this topic.

This is something that we as providers have known for years. The study has just included a "placebo" group that has been left out in the past. It further supports that exercise IS beneficial for those with depression but don't throw away the Lexapro just yet. I am all for a more natural approach when appropriate. The key is, do you have a motivated patient and how severe is the depression.

If the depression is significant I would maybe recommend both meds and exercise. Stay on the med for 6months, EXERCISE 4-5times per week and trial off the med in 6 mo's, if successful with exercise.. If it were not a severe depression, I might just recommend a more healthy diet, lifestyle, more rest, and EXERCISE with close monitoring.