Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

pete_68 t1_iy8blrv wrote

Exercise is also the best treatment for depression (as effective as SSRIs, though not necessarily for the same groups of people that SSRIs are effective for, and the effects last longer after stopping, than when you quit SSRIs).

But of course, the problem is for depressed people, it's hard to get motivated to exercise. I imagine the same problem happens for bipolar people in the low times.

20

neoplastic_pleonasm t1_iy94j0q wrote

As a bipolar dude, I've found that when it's hard or impossible to do my regular, intense exercise, it's key to just do whatever I can do at all, even if it's absolutely minimal.

Too depressed to lift heavy weights? Try to lift light weights. Too depressed to lift at all? Try to go for a walk. Too depressed to go for a walk? Try to get up and shower.

It may not be much, but doing whatever I can and being proud of myself for doing it helps a ton.

20

[deleted] t1_iy9samf wrote

That’s not really true. There are many depressed people who do what they’re supposed to do like exercise, eating right, meditating, etc. but they still are depressed. Or, if your depression is caused by chronic anxiety, OCD, ptsd, etc. SSRIs will help significantly more than exercise ever will. And then obviously you have people who are severely depressed to the point where they can’t get out of bed, let alone exercise.

2

pete_68 t1_iy9yaef wrote

Just because something is a good or effective treatment, doesn't mean it works for everyone or even most people. I said it's as effective as SSRIs and I'll stand by that.

There's this study and then there's this meta-study that both conclude it's an effective treatment for depression. - "In summary, exercise appears to be an effective treatment for depression, improving depressive symptoms to a comparable extent as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Observational studies suggest that active people are less likely to be depressed, and interventional studies suggest that exercise is beneficial in reducing depression."

But by all means, cite evidence that this is wrong.

1

[deleted] t1_iya0u7i wrote

Again. SSRIs are reserved for people who do such things and are still depressed or who’re severely depressed to the point where they can’t get outta bed.

And SSRI success rates are mixed for depression due to a variety of different reasons. For anxiety disorders, OCD, ptsd, etc. all of the meta analyses have shown significant improvement with SSRIs compared to placebo. For individuals who’s depression is caused due to any of those disorders, they will see significant improvement in their depression. For those who’s depression is independent from those things, SSRIs work but there are better options like more dopaminergic focused medications.

1

Playful_Melody t1_iya9rdn wrote

May you cite the study indicating that exercise is non-inferior to medications? I have heard of CBT being non-inferior, but not of exercise, so I’m a bit doubtful of the claim although would love to learn more.

2