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Exercise can be just as crucial to the health of a depressed patient as finding an effective antidepressant.
A new study of nearly 18,000 participants found that those who were physically fit were significantly less likely to die of heart disease. later, even though they were diagnosed with depression.
The research – a collaboration between UT Southwestern and The Cooper Institute – highlights the many ways in which depression can ultimately affect health and mortality. It also highlights the importance of overcoming a common dilemma in patients: How to deal with despair and always find the motivation to do exercise?
"It's hard to maintain a good dose of exercise, but it can be done. "Says Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, co-author of the study and director of the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, which is part of the Peter O Donnell Jr. Brain Institute of UT Southwestern.
. ] Doctor's Tips: How to Stay Fit While Treating Depression
Dr. Madhukar Trivedi cites previous research showing that depressed patients can often perform about three quarters of the exercise that they are asked to do. He recommends that patients take several steps to increase their chances of success:
- Set aside a constant time to exercise every day, but do not be discouraged by periods of inactivity. Resume activities as soon as possible
- Keep a journal to keep track of progress.
- Vary the exercises to avoid monotony. Keep the training session interesting and fun
- Exercise with a friend
- Try someone to hold you responsible for maintaining the exercise regimen
The study published in Journal of the American Medical Psychiatry Association ] used a Cooper Institute database on participants whose cardiorespiratory fitness was measured at an average age of 50 years. The researchers used Medicare administrative data to establish correlations between the ability of mid-life participants to rates of depression and heart disease at older ages. Among the results, participants with good physical condition were 56% less likely to eventually die from heart disease as a result of a diagnosis of depression
. Trivedi says the findings are just as relevant for younger age groups, especially college-age adults entering the job market.
"It's the age when physical activity generally declines because she's not in school." "The sooner you maintain your physical condition, the better the chances of preventing depression, which in the long run will help reduce the risk of heart disease."
Several other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, which studies show may affect whether antidepressants are likely to help. For patients with these conditions, the most appropriate treatment can be exercise.
Trivedi says that the reasons behind this may be partly related to the effects on general health of physical activity, including the fact that exercise decreases inflammation that can cause depression . By reducing inflammation, the risk of depression and heart disease decreases.
"It is advantageous not to start treatment if it is not necessary," says Dr. Trivedi, who is leading a national effort to establish biological tests for antidepressant drugs. "Being active and getting psychotherapy are sometimes the best prescription, especially in younger patients who do not have severe depression."
Dr. Trivedi cites previous research showing that depressed patients can often perform about three quarters of the exercise that they are asked to do. He recommends that patients take several steps to increase their chances of success:
- Set aside a constant time to exercise every day, but do not be discouraged by periods of inactivity. Resume activities as soon as possible
- Keep a journal to keep track of progress.
- Vary the exercises to avoid monotony.
- Exercise with a friend
- Ask someone to hold you accountable for maintaining the exercise regime. Trivedi has organized extensive studies to solidify the cause and effect among physical fitness, depression and heart disease. An example is RAD, Resilience in Adolescent Development, a 10-year study that will recruit 1,500 participants who may develop depression but have not yet done so. The main purpose of the study is to examine whether personal factors such as lifestyle and biology influence a teen's ability to withstand mood disorders. . But researchers will also document fitness levels and determine whether depression and heart problems occur later.
"There is enough evidence to show that the effect of poor fitness on depression and heart disease is real," Dr. Trivedi says. "But further study is needed to establish the mechanism by which this effect occurs."
More on depression:
- JAMA study: Mid-Life Fitness
- STRIDE Study: Fitness and addiction
- Video: Bringing the child to life help directly to the school
- Video: The EEG helps guide the treatment
- Self test: Are you depressed?
Dr. Trivedi is Professor of Psychiatry and holds the Betty Jo Hay Chair in Mental Health and the Julie K. Hersh Chair for Depression Research and Clinical Care. He collaborated with Dr. Benjamin Willis of the Cooper Institute for the study JAMA Psychiatry . "These new discoveries demonstrate the continued importance of fitness throughout life," says Dr. Willis, director of epidemiology at the Cooper Institute and lead author of the "Health and Safety Institute". study. "We now know that the long-term benefits and the link between body well-being and the mind are more important than we thought, and we hope our study will highlight the role of fitness and health. Physical activity in early prevention efforts. . "
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