Curing depression with exercise?

Exercise will not cure clinical depression. Go to your doctor. Exercise may make you feel better and is good for you but it will not cure depression.

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Mine are rescues and have had problems. Last October they almost died and one was in the hospital for a week. I understand the stress.

Please do not listen to anyone telling you exercise will cure everything. The people saying that most likely have not had actual clinical depression. Talk to your Dr. There is nothing wrong with needing help.

I have struggled for years with depression, and it gets particularly bad in the winter. Being fit, and working out regularly has certainly helped me greatly. I came off meds 3 years ago, and manage my moods well as long as I'm working out.

I'm not sure why the second poster asserts her view so strongly, since the evidence base is quite varied in terms of the clinical effectiveness of exercise in the management of depression. A lot depends on the severity. (And of course, the evidence base also tells us that mild to moderate depression also doesn't respond very well to medication... just sayin'.... )

I wouldn't be so naive as to suggest that exercise will 'cure' it (whatever that might mean). But as a strategy for management - yes, it helps, and it has certainly helped me.

That said, you could discuss alternate meds. I find most make me sick, but after two weeks, citalopram and I have always got on pretty well.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

There is evidence to show that exercise does help with the symptoms of depression. I think the only way to find out if this works for you is to try it consistently and see what type of results you get. You may find that medication is more helpful, or with exercise you may need a much lower dose, or possibly not need anything.

I have never been diagnosed with depression, or any mood disorder, but I know that certain days I am exhausted, feel like a slug, and feel down overall. I force myself to exercise because I know that once I do I have energy, and my whole attitude is uplifted.

Good luck, I hope that you are able to alleviate your symptoms. If the medication works better for you then please don't rule it out. Life is too short to spend it unhappy.

Can I recommend this book?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=depression+strong&tag=googhydr-21&index=stripbooks&hvadid=8609227040&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1050087266801839113&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_3ssns44z27_b

It's a great read and I've found it invaluable. Also, The Mindful Way Through Depression.

Exercise will certainly help, at least get you out into fresh air, and is by fair preferable to sitting in with a crate of wine like i used to, but reading these books helped me develop other ways of coping. i too hate the tablets. Though I think they're a godsend for lots of people

There has been some recent research showing that weightlifting can reduce the symptoms of depression. I don't think there is a "cure" for depression, not even medication. Working with your doctor you should be able to come up with a good combination of strategies that may or may not include medication. Exercise, especially weight training might make you feel better, and I imagine that is your goal.

I suffer from depression, I love to exercise, has the exercise cured the depression. No.

40mg a day of fluoxetine and Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have improved my outlook.

CBT was what got me into the gym, attempt to deal with negative body issues, sociability, feelings of worthlessness. So, that worked.

Sorry to hear you're having a bad time! *hugs*

I came off my meds as I was starting MFP, they made me feel sick, like yours do.

If I work out everyday, usually in the morning, it helps me control my moods a lot better than I I don't exercise. I don't think it's a curebut I think in most people it reduces symptoms associated with depression and helps regulate mood.

I usually do a high intensity aerobic exercise followed by weight training. I always feel amazing afterwards, hence why I do it in the morning. The feeling usually sees me through the day. :-)

I have suffered from clinical depression, anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD for the past ten years, due in part to genetics (family history of depression/mood disorders) and in part to a few traumatic situations during my teens. as of November 2011, I went completely medication-free for the first time in almost ten years (after gaining 30 pounds in 6 months on an antidepressant that nearly shut down my thyroid). i had a really hard time at first with feeling like i was never going to be okay without the meds, and i had those days where I felt so depressed and dysfunctional that I didn't want to get out of bed and face the world.

I started exercising every day beginning in march. I do yoga, Pilates, running, indoor cycling and dance (not all on the same day!). on active rest days I go for long walks. at first, exercise was so hard--not physically as much as mentally. it felt pointless and exhausting.

but after about eight to ten weeks, I noticed that after exercise (especially yoga and long brisk walks/jogs) I felt considerably better. more optimistic, stable, in control, calm and confident. I also noticed that if I missed a day of exercise, by that evening (or the next morning) I would be quickly slipping back into that old place of despair and hopelessness.

now, I'm not saying I'm 'cured'. I still have days that are tougher than others, times when I feel anxious or antisocial, nights when I can't sleep from nightmares & flashbacks, moments when I feel like I'm 'losing control' of my life. the important thing is that those times are MUCH fewer and further between. It used to be absolutely constant that I was in a state of deep depression or utter panic. now I'd say I spend less than 30% of my time feeling like that. and because I'm finally unmedicated and having to deal with real emotions that haven't been chemically altered, I'm learning a lot about WHY I feel the way I do, what triggers my bad days, and what I can to do make those days better.

everybody's experience is unique. there are some people who may never be able to function normally without medication, and there's no shame in that. but for some, exercise and better nutrition make a big difference in the way they feel and allow them to take control of their depression/anxiety so they can live comfortably without the meds.

I'd say talk to your doctor and your family--they'll be the people (other than yourself) who will be able to notice changes in your mood. let them know that you want to make a go of controlling your depression with exercise and nutrition, and work closely with them to monitor improvement or decline. give it a solid 4-6 months of consistent, daily exercise (even if it's just walking, it counts!) before you reevaluate. i really believe it can make a difference. you may or may not still need medication, but you never know until you try. good luck to you

As the others say exercise helps but won't cure depression. My doctor recommended not only exercise but getting out into a green space whether that be a field or a park or a small area of garden. Lots of sunshine.

Diet can also help, but again won't cure. Healthier foods (plenty of fruit and veg), including a good mix of carbs, protein AND fats. Going too low on any of them can affect your mood even if just temporarily. Not too much sugar (I try to stick to only eating sugar in fruit) and try to keep caffeine low. Take a good multivitamin making sure it includes things like iron, vitamin d and b vitamins (particularly b12).

For me more than anything a healthy diet and plenty of exercise keeps me motivated to do everything else, and motivation is a big struggle for me.

But if you are genuinely struggling, go see your doctor. It is an illness and if you are ill you need medical help. Medication can be useful and necessary at times, but also so can therapy (and it doesn't have to be one or the other).

*note I don't suffer from clinical depression but something with many similar symptoms.

Deficiency of certain essential foods and nutrients have been proven to be the root cause of several mental illnesses. I have provided Nutrition Therapy along side of mental health therapist for 4 years and can show you several cases where exercise and proper nutrition have helped people overcome depression, anxiety, alertness, anger management problems etc. I have 1 client in particular who is a middle school child who was diagnosed with ADHD and severe depression. He failed the 5th grade and was severely depressed and suicidal. His medicine cabinet looked like that of an 80 year old couple. After locating the essential nutrients that were missing from his diet and having him exercise regularly, he is no longer taking Strattera or any other medication for depression or ADHD symptoms. He is now an honor student with great focus.

Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone" and can cause your body harm physically and mentally. Yoga, meditation and other remedies are used to fight depression. Exercise is right there at the top of the list as well.

Google Cortisol as well as Dr. Vijaya Sathe for more information on how exercise and Nutrition Therapy can combat depression. Feel free to inbox me if you like as well.

E

Deficiency of certain essential foods and nutrients have been proven to be the root cause of several mental illnesses. I have provided Nutrition Therapy along side of mental health therapist for 4 years and can show you several cases where exercise and proper nutrition have helped people overcome depression, anxiety, alertness, anger management problems etc. I have 1 client in particular who is a middle school child who was diagnosed with ADHD and severe depression. He failed the 5th grade and was severely depressed and suicidal. His medicine cabinet looked like that of an 80 year old couple. After locating the essential nutrients that were missing from his diet and having him exercise regularly, he is no longer taking Strattera or any other medication for depression or ADHD symptoms. He is now an honor student with great focus.

Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone" and can cause your body harm physically and mentally. Yoga, meditation and other remedies are used to fight depression. Exercise is right there at the top of the list as well.

Google Cortisol as well as Dr. Vijaya Sathe for more information on how exercise and Nutrition Therapy can combat depression. Feel free to inbox me if you like as well.

E

Cortisol is produced by the body during exercise, in vast amounts.

All of the most recent "scientific" studies have seen no improvement in symptoms of depression in people on an exercise program.

Sorry to say this, but yoru anecdotal evidence in a child is fascinating - you must be writing it up to the Lancet for peer review.

Validation, work with someone in mental health, a case study, nutrition is the cure Hallelujah. Sign me up, and it is all Big Pharmas fault.

I have been on meds or over 15 years and have tried to stop several times for years. Pills alone are not the answer, but when combined with exercise I find it provides the best quality of life. Exercise alone does not do it for me (I just tried again two weeks go).

I think we'd all prefer not to take the meds, but at the end of the day I will do whatever provides the best quality of life for me and my family.

My advice would be to try another antidepressant to find one that works for you and keep exercising. You will have a much happier lifestyle and healthier relationship with your family.

I agree. We don't know if the OP is mildly depressed due to current events in her life or wakes up every day thinking of suicide. I get so annoyed seeing all the posts that exercise worked for someone else! Were they all suicidal? Was it so bad they couldn't even get dressed for weeks at a time?

Thank you for your honest answer. Obviously you understand the struggle. Sadly I do too. It's a shame there is still such a stigma when it comes to mental illness.

If you need help get it.

I was diagnosed with depression over 20 years ago and am certain that i have suffered from it long before that time.
While exercise helps the body to produce serotonin, this is not always enough and often a short lived solution.
One thing that i have learned over the years is to work closely with your doctor, because while one type of medicine may not work another one will. I have even had great success with a drug for a few years and then suddenly, maybe due to normal changes in the body as we age, it will become ineffective. But if you feel yourself slipping then by all means get back in to see your doctor.

Good luck to you. Hugs.

There's rather more than just one study... (I'm starting to feel I'm talking to myself in this thread... :-))) )

Exercising definitely helps me control my moods and anxiety.
I feel better about myself if I workout, boosts my confidence and gives me something to focus on.