Posted by Mr Beev on October 8, 2002, at 18:05:05
In reply to must stop gaining weight from SSRI's!, posted by katieb on October 7, 2002, at 11:11:03
I should like to second mscrane's excellent suggestions regarding exercise. It is certainly not easy: slow but steady is the key. When I took up jogging, it took roughly two or three months before I started enjoying the mood elevating benefits, but it was about a year before everything "settled in".
From what I have read, sustained vigorous (aerobic) exercise is the only treatment that is virtually universally successful for depression and anxiety: something like 95% of all study subjects have reported some degree of improvement. The exceptions seem to be in severe cases, such as suicidal mania and the like.
I myself have lost very little weight through exercise, and with Effexor I even gained weight, alas. When I informed my pdoc of this, she said Think what you would weigh without the exercise - a good point.
If your anxiety is mild enough, it is even possible that good, regular exercise alone may be enough to combat the problem! My case was too severe for this, but with or without medication I find that exercise certainly helps with agitation and stress. Many find it helps their sleeping pattern substantially as well.
Regards,
Mr Beev
poster:Mr Beev
thread:122638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/122801.html