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Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

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Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#41

Post by arcfour »

PedroBatista wrote: post #25

Just because a thing is true doesn't mean you can apply it. There are vast numbers of active ingredients discovered or developed that are effective in curing many deceases but there aren't "drugs"/pills with it because we haven't found a delivery mechanism for them to be effective where they should in the human body. Going back to the subject: Have you ever been clinically depressed or dealt with people in that predi…

Exercise is great on the days I can do it, I love going for a walk. But sometimes when I hear that suggestion - I wonder if those people have ever lain in a totally uncomfortable position in bed for 45 minutes because they felt paralyzed, unable to will their muscles to reposition themselves into something more comfortable. From that perspective, even light exercise seems like walking on the moon; merely a thought, not real.

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#42

Post by EliRivers »

In some places it is. Some people can indeed be "prescribed" (it's not a prescription, it's a referral) exercise and a low-cost arrangement is made with a local gym and appropriate fitness coach. In the UK, such schemes have historically been 12 to 16 weeks and the costs are jointly met by the NHS and the participant (much as with prescribed drugs).

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#45

Post by Molitor5901 »

Personal experience: Exercise did not help with my severe depression. Out of sheer desperation, I started exercising and eating way better. My health improved significantly, dropping 75 pounds.. but the depression still remains. I was just as depressed after 6 months of daily walking (3-5mi/day) as I was before. Left the house depressed, returned home depressed.

All that to say, I think IMO exercise can help improve general daily mood, but it did not really do anything for my overall depression.

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#47

Post by nickwood_dot_io »

I totally use exercise to keep on top of slightly wobbly mental health.

I heard the practice referred to recently as "Outrunning the darkness", which is glib but kinda describes why I am typically either at work, caring for my kids, or out on a bike.

That said, I very much sympathise be all the accounts by people for whom days are made palatable, and exercise is made possible, by taking prescription medication.

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#48

Post by rootusrootus »

Forgeties79 wrote: post #28
Analemma_ wrote: post #13

Around the internet you can find tons of people griping about GLP-1s, saying "diet and exercise make you lose weight, they have to, the First Law of Thermodynamics, etc. etc. How come doctors don't prescribe those?". And the answer is "diet and exercise are not a cure, they are a proposed treatment plan with a dismal success rate". To treat something as medicine, we want it to work in the real world of fallible human…

A lot of us are concerned about more than objecting to GLP-1’s. They’re pretty aggressive as a “treatment” used for weight loss, TONS of people are on it, it’s aggressively marketed in ways that seem rather backwards with what we’ve learned about how to talk about bodies and weight, and we are already seeing concerning GI issues emerging from prolonged usage - which is a given unless someone makes a lifestyle change,…

> we are already seeing concerning GI issues emerging from prolonged usage

Could you elaborate? I have been looking for a scientific discussion on that topic and coming up with not much.

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#49

Post by WalterBright »

readread wrote: post #36
gniv wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, more like cringe. They'll get over it. You'll also get better.

> Eh, more like cringe. Yeah, true. > They'll get over it. Has not been my experience. > You'll also get better. Ditto. I am not gifted at music but my affinity for it and ability to play music is above-average (not hard, most people just don't ever even try) but if I try to dance, somehow where I think each movement should start or end is entirely wrong, like, to such a degree that it's like I'm trying and wonderful…

Learning how to dance well requires floor-length mirrors and a good coach. Pretty much nobody learns it properly on their own. Even dance champions still take regular coaching.

As for being untalented, all that means is it will take you more time to get good at it.

P.S. What you think you are doing while dancing is not what you are actually doing. That's why a coach is necessary.

Re: Exercise works for depression. So why isn't it treated like real medicine?

#50

Post by [deleted] »

kelseyfrog wrote: post #39
slopinthebag wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should require a permit to leave your house, since a lot of deaths and injury happen outside of the house. The permit would generously give you the freedom to go outside for your job + once per week errand run. 1 hr/month leisure excursions permitted with good behaviour. You know, for your safety.

Can you help me understand? Why does safety have to be all or nothing?

[deleted]
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