Comments on: Knock Out Depression With Exercise

By: Allan

Allan — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:33:41 +0000

I think everything you said was very true. I have some things to say in regard to other commenters. People will call me arrogant and irresponsible for this, but I have a major beef with modern day Psychology. It takes human beings and turns them into animals. It takes away their autonomy. If you think differently then what is normal, you are diseased, have a ‘chemical imbalance in the brain’. Instead of promoting people to work through their problems and become better, they put them on crutches. People just accept these things as fact, despite the fact that no empirical testing has pointed to any such conclusion. People can change who they are and how they think, no matter how many chemicals they have in their brain. Read some on Thomas Szasz and his “The Myth of Mental Illness”. I hold it self evident that every human is an autonomous being and has his own free will to act, on not just be acted upon by the world, or some ‘chemical imbalance’.

By: toni

toni — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:36:08 +0000

Taking andidepressants is like creating a army but that army needs to have a target and be organized, to have success. So one we take andipressants and feed our brain with chemicals. But in reality we need to use them. To use them by thinking constructivly and by not burning them in no necessary way.

By: There’s More to Life Than Six Pack Abs

There’s More to Life Than Six Pack Abs — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:47:36 +0000

[...] your brain power, help your heart, prevent Alzheimers, alleviate stress, and knock out your depression. but if the focus of your workouts is [...]

By: MickG

MickG — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:15:17 +0000

I think one thing that is being left out of this discussion is the fact that the claims made about antidepressants by drug companies are not proven to be 100% factual. So many people with depression go around talking about “chemical imbalances” and major depressive “disorder” and do not realize that all of this information is based on a theory that has to this day has not been scientifically proven to be 100% true. The comparison of depression to diabetes or any other measurable illness is invalid because unlike any of these diseases, major depressive disorder is a subjective diagnosis that cannot be accurately measured. In fact, evidence has been mounting for years that the “chemical imbalance theory” of depression and other mood disorders may not be true at all. A quick glance at the package insert/prescribing information of any SSRI on the market today will reveal that these drugs “may” or are “thought to work by correcting a chemical imbalance” however their exact mechanisms of action and effects of long term use are actually unknown. In addition, while there are some people out there that believe that they will have to take these drugs for the rest of their lives to correct this so-called chemical imbalance, the ugly truth is that they often stop working for people after 10-15 years of use. Furthermore, these drugs have been proven to increase the risk of suicide in children, teens, and young adults and the effects of long term use have not been studied. While they may have their place in life threatening situations for acute relief, they are no more fool proof or scientifically sound then recommendations of exercise and certainly far more risky.

By: Billy

Billy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:41:19 +0000

Yes, depression is such a big topic for both men and women. People who do not understand depression usually have the mentality that all you need to do is ‘pull your socks up’. Well, no need for me to tell you that that is rubbish. But then to say, all you need to do is see a doctor, take some drugs and spend time with family is not that much different. To prescribe stuff for something so complex is always rubbish whether it is exercise or drugs.

I’ve not been diagnosed with depression so I find it hard to empathise with people who have it. Still many times, I’ve not been able to get through situations alone. I agree with the comment above that a man will be able to ask for help.

By: Baniz

Baniz — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:28:05 +0000

If you want my advice docters should prescibe them exercise and give them enough laughing gas that they have a smile on their face.

By: Me

Me — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Great article. Thank you. I did it myself, I am curing my depression with exercise every day. This is the only way for me and it really really works. Also, I now look fantastic! That helps to some extent but the most important thing is just increased energy, endorphins, increased circulation, all the things that make me feel better and happier and stronger biochemically. Looking good alone isn’t enough but it helps to feel proud of my fit and strong body as well. Along with daily rebounding and pilates, I follow a raw food lifestyle.

By: apollonian

apollonian — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:33:26 +0000

I just wanted to throw in with others who warn against suddenly stopping an anti-depressant regimen. Also, why shouldn’t one use both medication and exercise to address depression? Like others have mentions, medication can offer a jump start that makes self-improvement efforts manageable.

Also, major clinical depression is not a “case of the blues.” If you have experienced major clinical depression, you’d absolutely know it. Neurochemical imbalance is most definitely a proven factor in major clinical depression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression#Physiological

That said, exercise and diet is the bedrock foundation of a productive existence.

By: Anony

Anony — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:50:02 +0000

I think problem in this argument is the understanding of depression.

Personally, I feel the term is overused. There is a difference between clinical depression and just feeling (extremely) down. Doctors do not always jump to medication as a solution; if one does so, this is an irresponsible doctor. In cases of clinical depression, as some have mentioned above, medication is needed as an aid. It is not prescribed just to cure all the symptoms. It doesn’t work without taking steps and finding support to pull one’s self out of depression.

I think you mean to suggest exercise as a solution to the down and out feelings that people will often say, “I am depressed”. This I agree, because often I feel a high after exerting myself. If you don’t have clinical depression, stop moping and go out for a run or something.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:42:12 +0000

How one handles depression shows the true core of ones being.

Yes, all seems fuzzy and there is great lack of motivation when one is depressed. But just as much of this site talks about, it’s a matter of being the man and rising up to the moment and doing the right thing when it really is hard to do so that shows how much of a man you are. You may not want to work out, you might not feel the attractiveness of it. Most people, when depressed, are only motivated to do things that make them even more sad, like moap around in how sad their lives are, watch tragic movies to self-reflect with, etc.

But doesn’t getting out of most cases of depression involve starting a positive momentum in life and maintaining it? Some say that drugs and chemical adjustment to your brain is needed because your brain is holding you back. But I believe this is true only for the few most severe cases of depression that initiated from some biological issue. From what I can tell most people’s depressions are caused by negative interaction with life that perhaps ended up in a chemical imbalance.

Think of it this way. Just like a long relationship ending can cause you to crash hard and develop depression and thus chemical imbalance, starting something new and seeking out joys in life and self-respect through exercise and other positive acts can promote chemical balance. I think it’s this modern lack-of-responsibility that’s preventing most common depressives from pushing through and taking initiative. It’s hard, but you gotta do it. No different from anything else.

And yes, I’ve been depressed.