Has anyone ever got their depression controlled by just excercise and eating healthy? I was on zoloft and I had quit because they are expensive plus I hated the way they made me feel. I belive with excercise and getting healthy can help but would like to know if there is hope for this and if anyone has done this and succeded?

Thank you Nieceé

I would love to say that it works, but it has not for me. I do feel better about myself when I exercise, but overall I feel no change from my overall moods.

Although it is hard to motivate to exercise when depressed, my psychiatrist said that exercise has been shown to have the same anti-depressant effects as an AD, w/o the side effects of course. I know after I work out I feel great for a couple hours. It is the endorphins I think. However I don't feel like it tides me over until the next days workout.

It does not help my anxiety at all.....
Might even make me more reved up.....

I believe and have been told by my doctor that exercise can be great "sress reliever". I try to swim whenever I can. I've got to tell you that when I climb out of that pool I'm feeling pretty good! Apparently it has something to do with "endorphines" (just like SEX). It's also a great self esteem booster. If you can find an exercise that agrees with you, go for it, the worst that can happen is that you'll have a few aches and pains!....Tagger

Any exercise is good for you mind and body. Yoga is especially great for relieving stress and it enhances my mood. I don't think it lasts all day though, I am fine moodwise, just get so tired and fatigued that sometimes I can become snappy! Maybe a midafternoon walk would help.

I've been lifting weights 6 days a week and taking protein supplements along with L-Glutamine for the past 4 weeks. I have not had a real episode of depression since starting this regimen. However, it is too early to tell if it's going to last or not, maybe there's no connection and I'm just having a good month. I'm not real clear on the effects of L-Glutamine on the brain, but a doctor or nutritionist might be able to tell you more.

-N

Exercise helps to a point, but when it becomes an obsession it can lead to more depression. If I cannot exercise due to something coming up I get more depressed that I missed my routine. So yes it helps and is essential for good health maintenance but it can really get to you too

I do thank everyone for sharing their story and thoughts. I will give it a shot. I can see it varies per person and it also can be how bad the depression can be it seems. Mine is not as major just the situation I am in does not help but once I am out I hope to be fine. Hugs Nieceé

I exercise a lot. My fix for the anxiety was a great day of surfing. Somedays it would work, others it wouldn't. I also cycle.

After some time the exercise worked less and less.

I will say that it -did- help, but not enough. The doctor actually told me that exercise was good self-treatment.

Hope this helps.