Exercise is a superior drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, according to researchers who analyzed the results of numerous published studies. "Exercise has been shown to have tremendous benefits for mental health," say researchers from the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas...
"The more therapists who are trained in exercise therapy, the better off patients will be."
Researchers based their finding on an analysis of several different population-based studies, clinical studies and meta-analytic reviews related to exercise and mental health. Their meta-analysis of exercise interventions for mental health and studies on reducing anxiety sensitivity with exercise further supported their findings.
The researchers' review demonstrated the efficacy of exercise programs in reducing depression and anxiety.
The traditional treatments of cognitive behavioral therapy and pharma-therapy don't reach everyone who needs them, "Exercise can fill the gap for people who can't receive traditional therapies because of cost or lack of access, or who don't want to because of the perceived social stigma associated with these treatments," they emphasized. "Exercise also can supplement traditional treatments, helping patients become more focused and engaged."
The research team presented their findings March 2010 in Baltimore at the annual conference of the Anxiety Disorder Association of America. Their workshop was based on their therapist guide "Exercise for Mood and Anxiety Disorders," with accompanying patient workbook (Oxford University Press, September 2009).
The studies showed Individuals who exercise report fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of stress and anger. "Exercise appears to affect, like an antidepressant, particular neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and it helps patients with depression re-establish positive behaviors. For patients with anxiety disorders, exercise reduces their fears of fear and related bodily sensations such as a racing heart and rapid breathing." they noted.
Ideally, patients should work up to 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.
At a time when 40 percent of Americans are sedentary, mental health care providers can serve as their patients' exercise guides and motivators.
"Rather than emphasize the long-term health benefits of an exercise program, which can be difficult to sustain, we urge providers to focus with their patients on the immediate benefits," the researchers recommend. "After just 25 minutes, your mood improves, you are less stressed, you have more energy and you'll be motivated to exercise again tomorrow. A bad mood is no longer a barrier to exercise; it is the very reason to exercise."
They also suggest health care providers who prescribe exercise also must give their patients the tools they need to succeed, such as the daily schedules, problem-solving strategies and goal-setting.
Source:
Southern Methodist University (2010, April 6).
"Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety"
Exercise is most definitely as effective as most of the milder drugs in combating minor depression. However, it should also be stated that exercise does not cure depression. People should not go off their meds without consulting their medical professional.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is important for those who might think they are simply depressed to monitor their moods so they do not spike into mini or full mania. Depressed people are sometimes undiagnosed bipolar II.
I agree with everything in this post, I just think there are some caveats needed.
I have had bipolar NOS for two years and mild depression for 6 which was managed exclusively with exercise. But now I will NEVER go off my meds because bipolar can't be cured with exercise.