That's a thought I've had and it's surely a factor - being such a sedentary shut-in can't possibly be a good thing - but the annoying thing about it is that going out feels like such a monumental chore that I can't push through the barrier and actually do it!
Well, recently that's been the case, anyway. I go through periods where I try to go out for daily walks, but always end up falling back into inactivity at some point. I also bought myself a cheap exercise bike a while ago, and have a VR headset I can use for exercise stuff, but sometimes even just using those feels like more effort than I can muster.
1
Slothboy2531~2Y
I've found this website, run by a psychiatrist, to be very useful and informative:
"2. How do you treat depression?
Lifestyle changes are very effective for depression, but they’re hard to do – part of being depressed is not having enough energy to make big changes to your routine and stick with them. So sometimes it’s helpful to start with something else and add in lifestyle changes as you start to feel up for them..."
"2.1. What kind of lifestyle changes help with depression?
By far the most powerful treatment for externally-caused depression is GETTING AWAY FROM THE DEPRESSING THING. After that: diet, exercise, sunlight, and hygiene/routine/behavioral activation..."
1
Tobias 1102~2Y
There's a lot of information there that I should probably read when I have more time, though I find "get away from the depressing thing" absolutely ludicrous. It's like saying to someone in an abusive relationship that they'll be happier if they leave their partner, which is true, but often not simple. Or it's like saying "prison getting you down? Just escape!".
My depressive symptoms are largely a side effect of other brain issues, mostly Avoidant Personality Disorder/social anxiety, plus the literal brain cancer. We can't really escape our own brains. Many people with mental issues use drugs to try to, but that always brings negative consequences.
My hygiene is fine and I'm trying to stick to a routine as best I can, but my diet, exercise, and exposure to sunlight need work. I think about that every day, but the motivation to make big changes is usually lacking. Sometimes I go out for walks every day for a few weeks, then stop. I'll probably start again soon.
0
Slothboy2531~2Y
I think the author anticipated that objection - the thing about "getting away from the depressing thing" is immediately followed up by:
"I realize this is easier said than done, and that if they’re still in the situation it’s probably because they have to be. Some people need to keep their depressing jobs to support themselves; other people want to stay in depressing relationships for the sake of the kids; other people stay in depressing grad school because they’re really close to getting a degree they want. I cannot second-guess your life choices.
But I will say this from having worked with many patients in similar situations – they are usually surprised by how much of their depression goes away after they get out of the situation. And more important, they usually overestimate how hard it would be to get out of the situation – remember, depressed people are pessimists, so the person who’s depressed because of their terrible job will naturally think they could never get another job, or that all jobs would be equally bad. Please, please, please don’t let your depressive bias keep you in your depressing situation."
And I don't think that's bad advice for people in those situations! Sometimes people get tunnel vision and may (due to pessimistic biases) not be seeing possible options or immediately dismissing them.
I imagine this is more related to your own personal philosophy and experience, but what gives you the impression that psych medications always have negative consequences (as opposed to having possible side effects)?
Well, recently that's been the case, anyway. I go through periods where I try to go out for daily walks, but always end up falling back into inactivity at some point. I also bought myself a cheap exercise bike a while ago, and have a VR headset I can use for exercise stuff, but sometimes even just using those feels like more effort than I can muster.
[LINK]
"2. How do you treat depression?
Lifestyle changes are very effective for depression, but they’re hard to do – part of being depressed is not having enough energy to make big changes to your routine and stick with them. So sometimes it’s helpful to start with something else and add in lifestyle changes as you start to feel up for them..."
"2.1. What kind of lifestyle changes help with depression?
By far the most powerful treatment for externally-caused depression is GETTING AWAY FROM THE DEPRESSING THING. After that: diet, exercise, sunlight, and hygiene/routine/behavioral activation..."
My depressive symptoms are largely a side effect of other brain issues, mostly Avoidant Personality Disorder/social anxiety, plus the literal brain cancer. We can't really escape our own brains. Many people with mental issues use drugs to try to, but that always brings negative consequences.
My hygiene is fine and I'm trying to stick to a routine as best I can, but my diet, exercise, and exposure to sunlight need work. I think about that every day, but the motivation to make big changes is usually lacking. Sometimes I go out for walks every day for a few weeks, then stop. I'll probably start again soon.
"I realize this is easier said than done, and that if they’re still in the situation it’s probably because they have to be. Some people need to keep their depressing jobs to support themselves; other people want to stay in depressing relationships for the sake of the kids; other people stay in depressing grad school because they’re really close to getting a degree they want. I cannot second-guess your life choices.
But I will say this from having worked with many patients in similar situations – they are usually surprised by how much of their depression goes away after they get out of the situation. And more important, they usually overestimate how hard it would be to get out of the situation – remember, depressed people are pessimists, so the person who’s depressed because of their terrible job will naturally think they could never get another job, or that all jobs would be equally bad. Please, please, please don’t let your depressive bias keep you in your depressing situation."
And I don't think that's bad advice for people in those situations! Sometimes people get tunnel vision and may (due to pessimistic biases) not be seeing possible options or immediately dismissing them.
I imagine this is more related to your own personal philosophy and experience, but what gives you the impression that psych medications always have negative consequences (as opposed to having possible side effects)?