Depression and exercise

[johnpaul94]

Depression has been a major topic of discussion as many young adults are snared into this health disorder.  There has been a lot of research done to explore the role of exercise and release of endorphins and excitatory neurotransmitters  that help to alleviate or reduce the inhibitory neurotransmitters which are implicatory in depression... What do you think about exercise as a treatment modality for depression?

[Rikafip]

Depression has been a major topic of discussion as many young adults are snared into this health disorder.  There has been a lot of research done to explore the role of exercise and release of endorphins and excitatory neurotransmitters  that help to alleviate or reduce the inhibitory neurotransmitters which are implicatory in depression... What do you think about exercise as a treatment modality for depression?

More active and healthy lifestyle that included exercise is definitely  way to go when fighting depression, as you said it yourself , exercise has many benefits like body release of endorphins and serotonine. Definitely better than just shoving antidepressants down the throat from the beginning.
But in some more serious cases, relying just on exercise to fight depression is probably not best idea, it is better to look for professional help.

[Rmcdermott927]

As someone who was something of a “problem child”, I went through depression my entire life, I can honestly say that strenuous exercise worked better for me than any medication ever did.  Running and martial arts completely saved my life and made me a perfectly functional adult who doesn’t rely on medication. 

[creepyjas]

Depression has been a major topic of discussion as many young adults are snared into this health disorder.  There has been a lot of research done to explore the role of exercise and release of endorphins and excitatory neurotransmitters  that help to alleviate or reduce the inhibitory neurotransmitters which are implicatory in depression... What do you think about exercise as a treatment modality for depression?

Exercise helps us fight the stress. It is also a way to connect with the outside world and to other people. One of the stongest cure to depression is connection to other people and doing exercise can help us connect with others.

Go to the gym with someone, friends or family.

[akram143]

Depression is the feeling from unsatisfied life for that we don't really need exercise,just get some happiness would be enough.

And why we feel depressed also get into an account,depressed to to loneliness can be treated with good friends or partner.

[darkangel11]

Physical exercise has a lot to do with our mental health.
When you're working out you have less time to think and worry, you focus on doing a simple job.
This isn't a job you can fail at. You know you'll be happy after completing it and you'll have a sense of achievement. This is very important if you're fighting depression.
After a workout you usually get hungry. Depressed people don't eat much so it's a good thing to have a good meal.
Working out makes you feel better about your body. After a few weeks of regular workouts other people will notice changes in you and this will make you more confident, more attractive.

[finzyoj]

I don't know if your scientific explanation is correct but I believe so. My only question is if we assume that I am the depressed person, how do I have the willing to exercise? I mean, I'm already depressed, hopeless and already got no interest in doing anything. I'm just in the corner of my room all day long because of total sadness. Yeah! The solution (exercising as what you've said) is present but how I will be able to use it while I'm trapped in this disorder? I sudrenly wonder .

[GideonGono]

I don't know if your scientific explanation is correct but I believe so. My only question is if we assume that I am the depressed person, how do I have the willing to exercise? I mean, I'm already depressed, hopeless and already got no interest in doing anything. I'm just in the corner of my room all day long because of total sadness. Yeah! The solution (exercising as what you've said) is present but how I will be able to use it while I'm trapped in this disorder? I sudrenly wonder .

That's why some person who suffering depression need a person who really be a helpful that who can care for him/her because it was not easy to suffer from depression especially of thinking anything even you don't want. They cannot help their own but they can changed by others using to visualize how important the life is.

[franky1]

it depnds on the type of depression

for instance telling someone to go for a walk and get someone to go to their house to pull them out and do some exercise will actually cause more mental hard for someone who has anxiety, social issues and agoraphobic

telling someone who is anorexic that they need to exercise can also be counter intuitive

someone who is depressed due to being a quadriplegic (no movement below neck), is just reminding them of what thy are unable to do.

what helps more is not exercise, but finding a way to get someone out of the situation. maybe if lonely getting someone to talk to. maybe if boy image shaming finding a diet thats high nutritonally without the weight that comes with heavy meals.

sometimes its not the exercise, but just the view of a different environment that can excite the hormone glands to release endorphines
EG going on a date can release more endorphins than a 20 minute run.

[squatz1]

First off: This is one one of the few posts on this section that has been posted by a newbie and I haven't reported for being spam, as it isn't spam. This honestly sounds like a solid discussion.

Onto the subject area:

I've seen many, MANY, MANY studies on the subject area. But I do think at the end of the day it's going to be a case by case basis and any of the conclusions you get from a study are going to be on the macro scale and not the micro scale.

Some studies I've looked at: Might be blocked to read for you, so sorry about that.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2000-16136-001

https://journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/Citation/1990/01000/Effect_of_Exercise_on_Depression.16.aspx

[joshy23]

Depression has been a major topic of discussion as many young adults are snared into this health disorder.  There has been a lot of research done to explore the role of exercise and release of endorphins and excitatory neurotransmitters  that help to alleviate or reduce the inhibitory neurotransmitters which are implicatory in depression... What do you think about exercise as a treatment modality for depression?

It will work if the person itself is willing to help himself to be cured, depression is not an easy malfunction inside the minds once a person engage to this issue it will remain and will keep chasing the person of sudden stress placing him to any unnecessary action. Though if the person who are suffering wanted to help himself exercise and proper diet will reduce those bad thinking.

[Cynthia Adoma]

Exercise in a way helps in depression because it helps in keeping the mind active and a way from depressing thoughts. Also a person tends to feel good after exercising. Perhaps as a result of the release of endorphins. But it will take a certain drive from the depressed to take this route but it's well worth it in the end.

[Mometaskers]

I've definitely found it harder to be depressed if I had some physical exercise, even if it's just a few stretches. Though it seems to be better if it actually leaves you sweaty and panting a bit. For people who are clinically depressed it wouldn't hurt to go out for a run regularly, only problem is they tend to just hole up at home.

it depnds on the type of depression

for instance telling someone to go for a walk and get someone to go to their house to pull them out and do some exercise will actually cause more mental hard for someone who has anxiety, social issues and agoraphobic

telling someone who is anorexic that they need to exercise can also be counter intuitive

someone who is depressed due to being a quadriplegic (no movement below neck), is just reminding them of what thy are unable to do.

what helps more is not exercise, but finding a way to get someone out of the situation. maybe if lonely getting someone to talk to. maybe if boy image shaming finding a diet thats high nutritonally without the weight that comes with heavy meals.

sometimes its not the exercise, but just the view of a different environment that can excite the hormone glands to release endorphines
EG going on a date can release more endorphins than a 20 minute run.

Well special conditions do have to be considered. Though I believe getting fit does improve mental health (or at least overall health), I think stimulation also play a big role. In the case of quadriplegics for example, it'll all have to be mental. Somewhat same with anorexics. With those with anxiety and phobias would likely benefit from exposure therapy first.

[franky1]

Well special conditions do have to be considered. Though I believe getting fit does improve mental health (or at least overall health), I think stimulation also play a big role. In the case of quadriplegics for example, it'll all have to be mental. Somewhat same with anorexics. With those with anxiety and phobias would likely benefit from exposure therapy first.

most of these studies are not aimed at proving that exercise is the cure for depression. meaning meds and therapy are not biologically needed.
but instead done to make it financially cheap to medical budgets and medical insurance underwriters by saying people should go for a walk(free) as oppose to being given meds/therapy.

alot of the medical industry customers (hospital/doctors/insurance) that pay the bill have already tried to justify not giving people the medical support the person actually needs and instead find viable free options that people should do. thus making it the patients fault for not trying to better themselves.
only problem is depressed people being blamed when the depression itself is preventing rational thoughts of bettering ones self, just snowballs negatively.

patients ned actual support in many cases. not told that they should just walk more and drive less
EG people with back pain just told to go to local 7-11 and buy some ibruprofen. yet what they actually need is a chiropractor and surgury

and now mental health has become a subject that was undr funded they want to pretend they are solving it, bt without costing them the real costs to actually solve it

EG some people soo depressed they resort to illicit drugs to escape their reality.. being chased by cops and looking over shoulder and racing across town to get the next fix is very exercise heavy.. yet.. guess what its not cured the underlying depression

oh and homeless people that live on the streets and dont have cars thus have to walk everywhere.. they are not the happiest people. so fresh air and exercise is not the sole solution

[jasta more]

Yeah it's great way to combat depression because of the endorphins but also because your self-esteem goes up when you look and feel good.It also helps when you have something to focus on and less time to think about the things that are bringing you down.There is a saying in my country,-healthy body healthy mind

[rodel caling]

I think one of the main cause of depression is family problem and love(heart broken) that is my own observations why many young men and women are get into depression.
I do not think that exercise is the best way to avoid depression my opinion how to resolve this problem need a family and friend attention and support to forget all about hurt in there mind.

[Artemis3]

I don't know if your scientific explanation is correct but I believe so. My only question is if we assume that I am the depressed person, how do I have the willing to exercise? I mean, I'm already depressed, hopeless and already got no interest in doing anything. I'm just in the corner of my room all day long because of total sadness. Yeah! The solution (exercising as what you've said) is present but how I will be able to use it while I'm trapped in this disorder? I sudrenly wonder .

Well i'd suggest trying some indoor routines, doesn't need to be (in fact it should not be) high impact. Something cardio is good enough, even just warming up exercises every day probably makes a huge difference. And later when you feel with more energy, add more. Then you can also try outdoor activities if you want.

Look in youtube, there is probably something interesting for you to do, and no one else needs to know.

[tsaroz]

I have a mild depression most probably due to my genetics and when I have those panic attacks, nothing helps much. Walking straight and taking long breathe helps so does a mild jogging with music but my body feels very weak for any sort of exercise.
Exercise is a good thing to keep you fit and occupied if you could make it a daily habit. But I don't it would make a large difference when it comes to depression.

[franky1]

I have a mild depression most probably due to my genetics and when I have those panic attacks, nothing helps much. Walking straight and taking long breathe helps so does a mild jogging with music but my body feels very weak for any sort of exercise.
Exercise is a good thing to keep you fit and occupied if you could make it a daily habit. But I don't it would make a large difference when it comes to depression.

panic attack is an adrenalin rush. so yes exercise quickly burns off the adrenalin which means the adrenalin in your body disapears thus feel less panicky. but exercise doesnt solve the trigger of the panic attack

its like having a car and putting nos into the fuel. the car performs better and burns the nos off if u push on the accelerator and go fast. and can ruin the engine if its not burned up as it can make you blow a gasket.

however thats just using up that events energy. but not solving the cause of having to flip the turbo button on a street car

yes there is something to be said about fake it till you make it. meaning if you fake being happy you might actually start being happy by distracting yourself. but again this is just temporary.

EG an abused wife can leave the house and go to the gym, smiling at the other people and having conversations while doing exercise. but as soon as she leaves the gym, the dread of having to come back home to the abusive household returns instantly

even with endorphins and adrenalin and stuff still going on, even with pleasant experiences and conversations happening just minutes ago. the depression returns quicker than a 30 minute exercise session

[styca]

I had bad anxiety for a couple of years, and tried the exercise thing, but it didn't help me. However I firmly believe that it can help, we are all different people and deal with things differently. Above all I would say if you are struggling with depression, stress or anxiety then vigorous exercise is absolutely worth a go. You don't even need to join a gym, it costs nothing and will make you healthier in any case.