Posted by edward602 on December 26, 2001, at 17:43:16
In reply to Exercise and Depression, posted by bob on December 26, 2001, at 15:50:21
> I have often seen articles and such that suggest that exercise helps with depression. Therapists and doctors have also suggested it to me on occasion. Before I suffered from any mood disorders, I loved to be active. I am now rarely active on medecines. My questions pertaining to this are as follows:
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> 1 - Does anybody who takes antidepressants (especially drug cocktails, or the stronger meds like tricyclics and MAOIs) find it very difficult to participate in vigorous physical activity?
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> 2 - Does anybody feel that excercise seems to have a delayed negative effect sometimes, where one actually feels worse a day or two after performing it? On the rare occasion when I get up adequate energy to exercise, I seem to experience a rebound from that where I feel expecially bad in the following days. This usually guarantees that I cannot continue exercising.
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> 3 - Am I not finding the proper drug cocktail to allow me to be physically active, or is asking someone strung out on antidepressants who has a serious mood to exercise regularly somewhat unrealistic? I have found that the only times I can actually be physically active is on lower doses of medecine -- but it never lasts long, as my disorder takes over.
You don't say what your diagnosis is nor your cocktail. Sometimes I have been too depressed to exercise, especially because of fatigue and insomnia. As I start to recover I mark the first small sign of well-being as a return to exercise. I have to force myself, really force myself. But even 20 minutes on the exercycle at the gym is good for my physical and menatl wellbeing. I've never noticed feeling worse after exrcising, though maybe more anxious (I take a benzo in the a.m. on waking and maybe when I exercise I metabolize faster and lose the effect of it sooner). But otherwise exercise has been critical for me. Years ago when I was too depressed to vigorously work out I started tai chi and it was of incredible benefit and still is. Maybe even if its just tai chi or yoga, you need to force yourself out.Best, Edward
poster:edward602
thread:87886
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/87892.html