4 ms·

I wonder if there is a selection bias at play. One of the major symptoms of depression is lack of motivation. Exercise requires some level of motivation. If peo

I wonder if there is a selection bias at play. One of the major symptoms of depression is lack of motivation. Exercise requires some level of motivation. If people are exercising, that could mean that their depression is not as severe.

kuhewa 4y ago
I have the same thought. Since you mentioned it first, you've been tasked as of now with reading the selection methodology and reporting back.
mxschumacher 4y ago
somebody with low motivation breaking the vicious cycle they are in are taking the first step to getting better
hackerlight 4y ago
Psychomotor retardation is a symptom of severe depression but if it's an RCT with minimal drop outs that shouldn't be an issue. If it's an epidemiological study then yeah I wouldn't trust the results.
david-gpu 4y ago
> Exercise requires some level of motivation Only when you don't enjoy that particular from of exercise. If it is fun, that's the only motivation you need. I used to struggle with anxiety and depression, until I found that 60-90 minute walks would clear my mind and help me feel much better. The effects wouldn't last very long, though, so I walked around five days per week, or around 30Km per week. Then I bought a bike and found it much more fun, which means I look forward to my bike rides. Because of that it doesn't feel like a chore. It also turned out to be more time efficient, and the mental benefits of a single ride last for a few days, so if I catch a cold and can't ride ride for a few days I am not crawling up the walls like I did back when I only walked.
- mobiuscog 4y ago
  and when you don't find 'going out' or 'moving around' fun ? Whilst I am really happy that you found your solution, it's akin to most people telling a depressed person to 'find something that you enjoy'. When you don't enjoy anything - or the things that do bring you comfort are bad and/or isolating - you are stuck.
  - david-gpu 4y ago
    You haven't tried everything, so you can't say you don't enjoy anything. I experienced depression for many years. Perhaps the worst part of depression, and what makes it so hard to treat, is this defeatist attitude of "nothing is going to work, so I may as well not try". Start by accepting that other people in your exact same circumstances, with your exact same abilities, go through life with a smile on their faces. Ask yourself, what is different about them? That is how I started to crawl out of the hole.

kuhewa 4y ago

I have the same thought. Since you mentioned it first, you've been tasked as of now with reading the selection methodology and reporting back.

mxschumacher 4y ago

somebody with low motivation breaking the vicious cycle they are in are taking the first step to getting better

hackerlight 4y ago

Psychomotor retardation is a symptom of severe depression but if it's an RCT with minimal drop outs that shouldn't be an issue. If it's an epidemiological study then yeah I wouldn't trust the results.

david-gpu 4y ago

> Exercise requires some level of motivation Only when you don't enjoy that particular from of exercise. If it is fun, that's the only motivation you need. I used to struggle with anxiety and depression, until I found that 60-90 minute walks would clear my mind and help me feel much better. The effects wouldn't last very long, though, so I walked around five days per week, or around 30Km per week. Then I bought a bike and found it much more fun, which means I look forward to my bike rides. Because of that it doesn't feel like a chore. It also turned out to be more time efficient, and the mental benefits of a single ride last for a few days, so if I catch a cold and can't ride ride for a few days I am not crawling up the walls like I did back when I only walked.

mobiuscog 4y ago
and when you don't find 'going out' or 'moving around' fun ? Whilst I am really happy that you found your solution, it's akin to most people telling a depressed person to 'find something that you enjoy'. When you don't enjoy anything - or the things that do bring you comfort are bad and/or isolating - you are stuck.
- david-gpu 4y ago
  You haven't tried everything, so you can't say you don't enjoy anything. I experienced depression for many years. Perhaps the worst part of depression, and what makes it so hard to treat, is this defeatist attitude of "nothing is going to work, so I may as well not try". Start by accepting that other people in your exact same circumstances, with your exact same abilities, go through life with a smile on their faces. Ask yourself, what is different about them? That is how I started to crawl out of the hole.