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Depression and Exercise

In: Science

Submitted By katemaka
Words 411
Pages 2
Best treatment for depression
1 in 10 Americans feel depressed at some point in their lifetime.1 Some of them get diagnosed, others don’t. Depression is usually treated with antidepressants such as: fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta), bupropion (Wellbutrin), etc. Unfortunately, all of these medications have possible side effects that can be as bad as: headache, memory problems, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops. It is ironic that antidepressants can, in fact, increase suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Several research studies have demonstrated that exercise is as effective as antidepressants in treating depression.2-6 What makes exercise superior to the traditional treatment is lack of side effects and additional positive outcomes, e.g., better weight management and reduced risk of heart disease. Two Australian researchers, Stanton and Reaburn reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCT) that were published since 1960.2 RCTs are scientific experiments that randomly assign different types of treatment to different study participants. In this case people with depression were treated with antidepressants, exercise or both. It appears that even low intensity exercise improves symptoms of depression. Walking or cycling 3 to 4 times per week indoor or outdoor for 30 to 40 minutes at a pace that is preferred will result in considerable improvement of mood. Exercise does require commitment and it may take up to 9 weeks to notice the difference.

References
1. CDC. (2013). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/
2. Stanton, R., & Reaburn, P. (2013). Exercise and the treatment of depression: A review of the exercise program variables. Journal Of Science And Medicine In Sport / Sports Medicine Australia.
3. Samartzis, L., Dimopoulos, S., Tziongourou, M., Koroboki, E., Kyprianou, T., &
Nanas, S. (n.d). SSRIs versus exercise training for depression in chronic heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal Of Cardiology, 168(5), 4956-4958.
4. J.A. Blumenthal, M.A. Babyak, K.A. Moore et al. (1999). Effects of exercise training on older patients with major depression. Arch Intern Med, 159 (19), pp. 2349–2356
5. G.A. Brenes, J.D. Williamson, S.P. Messier et al. (2007). Treatment of minor depression in older adults: a pilot study comparing sertraline and exercise. Aging Ment Health, 11 (1), pp. 61–68
6. J.A. Blumenthal, M.A. Babyak, P.M. Doraiswamy et al. (2007). Exercise and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Psychosom Med, 69 (7) (2007), pp. 587–596

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