Effect on depression with exercise

Betrbleave

Exercise should help depression and elevate your mood. Has anyone felt happier or different?

nas24

They say it helps... not helping so far for my PTSD and anxiety. But i keep doing it and hope for a better out come

Betrbleave

I think its worse. Just gives me stress on what to eat now too

Paris11loves

I suffer from severe depression as a result of what is suspected to be Bipolar disorder. Although at first it was a little daunting and stressful, the idea of counting calories and such, it has really helped me elevate my mood. I find now if I don't exercise, after a while I feel myself slipping a little bit. If you feel like counting calories might be a little overwhelming, just start exercising and implement the rest later. There are a lot of studies to prove that exercise helps and although I laughed at them for years, they have some truth.

Good Luck

Edited to add:
I also find it helps to try and enjoy exercising and not look at it as a chore. For example, I watch TV on my computer while on the stationary bike so I can kind of distract myself.

kdeaux1959

It should help some in most cases. Research suggests it does. This disorder has such a wide variety of causes and I suppose it is a lot like a headache... Some have headache because of migraine, others because of tumors, others because of sinus, others because of over-indulging, others because of caffeine withdrawal... The solution for one does not mean it will work for another because the causes are different... Same it is with Depression.

shewillstruggle

The endorphins I get are insane! I suffer from depression and honestly exercising has been the best medicine. I find that working out outdoors rather than being cooped up in a gym makes all of the difference as well. I did a 7 mile run today because I was having a verry bad morning and now I feel great. Just make sure to eat the proper foods on a daily basis to give yourself enough energy and your body and mind will thank you.

MoreBean13

It has helped me tremendously- I have diagnosed major depressive disorder and OCD and with regular exercise and proper nutrition, UNDER THE CARE OF MY DOCTOR, I've been able to lower or discontinue almost all of my medication. I also had a contributing vitamin deficiency that's been corrected, as well, so I can't say that it was entirely exercise.

Betrbleave

at least it helps some people

eireannyoung

Yes! If I don't take a my thirty minute walk each day (at LEAST!) then I start feeling bummed out and aimless. If I don't exercise for two or three days, the actual depression comes back. Exercise is one of the major reasons I was able to quit antidepressants after taking them for years, and still function well in life. It definitely requires a lot of dedication and upkeep, way more than popping a pill, but the benefits speak for themselves!

juliecat1

Me! A zillion times yes. Before starting to exercise - I was on heavily depressed. I took 3 antidepressants/anxiety meds every day to just cope.
I started working out and eating better. At first it was kind of forced. I had to break the depression cycle so it was a fake it till you make it sort if thing. I started feeling better almost immediately. Especially right after a workout. Slowly I reduced my meds and I've been off entirely for about a year. If I get lazy and don't go to the gym..,, I feel it. I know now I will never be able to quit this or I'll risk going back there again.

Scorpioangel

I defintiely have! It helps me a lot especially since I lost my job and get down a lot about it stressing about money!

Drastiic

It helped me. I've been slowly working my way out these past 2 months. I was in a deep depression for about a year due to losing my job, getting out of a relationship, losing touch with most friends due to my travel job, getting off drugs, and losing more friends. A lot of things happened all at once, and I lost all of the structure in my life. I was in a dark place for a long time.

The drugs and booze were just a temporary cover-up. I needed to find out what actually was causing me to be unhappy in the first place. I came to the realization that in order to feel better about my life in general, I had to fix myself first. Physically and mentally. That's where I am now. I started walking outdoors at a huge park near my house and just started enjoying my surroundings. I walked by myself and did a lot of soul-searching. After awhile, I started enjoying it and wanted others close to me to experience it with me. Every time I see someone outside running, walking, or playing a sport I feel somewhat connected to them, because we're all out here trying to better ourselves.

I still distance myself from my old friends, partially because I'd rather not face the difficult personal questions, but also because I don't really need them in my life anymore to be happy. I'm looking forward to meeting new people that share my new fitness interests. Starting from scratch isn't easy, but I'm finding it to be worth it each day.

focus4fitness

It helps me a lot. A LOT. I've always dealt with depression and nothing fixes me like exercise.

camelgirlmn

I believe it affects people differently. I have Bi-polar and I also suffer from high anxieties. My depression is up and down (even being on the right meds) Anxiety issues are worse. Some days are better than others though. I guess we all have our off days. For me, ive been fluctuating between 190 and 195 for the past 2 weeks or so. but my depression has been ok

BeautyFromPain

I'm completely off all antidepressants
Hasn't really made a difference to my PTSD though.

missemily1124

Didn't do anything for my anxiety/depression. In fact I had to up my meds after I starting losing weight. I hope it turns out better for you! Good luck

neti_call

It helps me a LOT but my depression is mild.

abbybean11

it has definitely helped me! it doesn't mean i never get depressed, but many people have told me that they've noticed i'm much happier (and it's true!!!!! i love being smaller and working towards goals that i am actually achieving!)

justanotherbrickinthewall

It didn't help me at all except on the very rare occasion. Everyone's different though, so it could help you perhaps.

Linda_Darlene

YES!

Skeebee

definitely helps. I suffer from schizo-affective disorder and depression runs in my family. My husband noticed how much happier, energetic, and less often I would get episodes with exercise. For over 2 weeks now, I've been unable to workout due to a herniated disc and I'm already feeling myself falling back into a slump. Husband said I see down a lot more. HUGE difference...

amyowens08

Exercise definitely does help with my depression once i get into a routine with it. HOWEVER, sometimes i do suffer from a "crash" after the endorphins wear off after a workout. It's not all of the time that this happens....but I have my days where it does happen and it SUCKS. I definitely think it does help over-all with dealing with my depression...even my husband notices when im working out regularly that my mood changes. I think, for me, the magic combo is my meds and a regular exercise routine.

BeanQueen3000

When assessing my med situation a few months ago, my psych told me that she wasn't going to move things around or change the dosage I'm on until I tried something-- anything else. She's never steered me wrong in the past, and adding routine exercise in has been one of the best things i've ever done for myself. Anger and anxiety are still a part of my life, but exercise and a bit more mindfulness about my diet have given me new tools to cope (instead of compulsive shopping/eating, etc.)

NavyKnightAh13

I think it has helped me. I have been suffering from situational depression and anxiety for 3 years (its because of my mom's death and grandmother's death, and then having to move and school and marriage and child and basically never adjusted) and i have noticed that if i don't exercise everyday, my depression kicks in royally to where my husband and i get into fights because of thoughts. Everyone is different, for some it helps, others it doesn't. To each their own