QUESTION: I gather from my reading that exercise is helpful in a lot of situations, but I can scarcely believe that a respected doctor would offer it as a prescription for depression.
My doctor insists that a regular schedule of walking will help me.
Is he stringing me along or something?
ANSWER: Over the last ten years, health professionals have been pleased to find that people who do regular exercise report significant reductions in anxiety and depression, improved sleep and appetite, better concentration and even better academic performance. There are several reasons that doctors are combining or replacing exercise therapy with older approaches to treat depressed patients.
Old treatments include the use of antidepressant drugs, shock therapy, and sleep deprivation.
Research shows that exercise increases oxygen uptake, improving circulation and allowing more oxygen to reach the brain. Exercisers with higher oxygen levels have shown significantly lower anxiety and depression levels when compared with sedentary control groups. Another factor is that depression is characterized by prolonged sadness, inactivity, dullness, a feeling of helplessness and loss of control.
With exercise, people gain a sense of mastery and achievement.
They feel they are doing something positive for themselves and by being able to do something for themselves, there is a renewed feeling that they can control at least some parts of their lives.
No pill could have that effect! People who embark on exercise programs start to feel better because their cardiovascular systems are in better condition.
Blood pressure goes down, and so does body weight.
People can actually feel and see their lives improving. Vigorous aerobic exercise also encourages the body's production of a natural morphine-like substance called endorphins, which have been linked to feelings of well-being. Why introduce medication which can have side-effects into the body when a brisk walk can lift the spirit and have many other positive effects? Give your doctor's prescription a chance, I think you will be very surprised at the help it can offer.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
