Antidepressants vs. Exercise: A Comparative Analysis for Depression Treatment

Americans and Antidepressants

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention - In 2005, 118 million people were prescribed them

That is almost half of the American Population

Antidepressants as a Last Resort

Today we will discuss:

The problem with dependency on antidepressants

Physical benefits of exercise for depression people

Mental benefits of exercise for depressed people

A Brief Introduction to Antidepressants

They go by many different names

Claim to raise serotonin levels the brains happiness chemical

Alleviate depression symptoms, do not cure them

Americans spend $10billion a year on them

Ed Boyden, leader of Neurobiology Group at MIT - http://www.ted.com/talks/ed_boyden.html

Common side effects: restlessness, agitation, nausea, suicidal thoughts and attempts, etc.

Physical Effects of Exercise

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression Endorphins release when one exercises they uplift mood and reduce pain

Dance, yoga, ride a bike, hike, walk the workout doesn't need to be high intensity

10-15 minutes

Strengthens muscles and circulatory system

Exercise and Emotion

Exercise can negate feelings associated by depression

Paige Waehner, a personal trainger through the American Council on Exercise:

http://exercise.about.com/cs/exercisehealth/a/depression.htm

1. Increase in sense of mastery

2. Increase in energy

3. Increase in self-esteem

4. Provides distractions from worries and stresses

5. Helps promote a regular sleeping schedule

In Closing

Antidepressants are quick fixes, costly, and full of side effects

Exercise provides immediate relief and if practice regularly can produce long term results against fighting depression

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