I have Bipolar and go to the gym 3 times a week. When I stop going, it's because I'm depressed and physically can't go. If it cured it, surely I'd never get any depressive episodes. If I'm hypomanic, I can exercise many hours a day and guess what happens, soon enough the depressive episode comes along and boom! No exercise because I can't physically do it.

I find this SO frustrating as well. When I hear people in my industry saying things like “exercise is BETTER than medication for mental health” - right, they’ve read ONE article that looked at one paper showing that, short term, exercise has a bigger impact. That doesn’t mean we can conclusively say it’s better - it’s gonna help, but you don’t get to say it’s a cure or preventative 🤦🏻‍♂️

it’s been clinically proven to be more effective than anti-depressants. Sorry it’s not working for you, but for a lot of people it does wonders.

What kind? If youre using an eliptical 30 min a day Id be depressed too.

Certainly it doesn't work for everyone with depression. Also it depends on how chronic the condition is. It's mostly effective in 1) preventing, 2) decreasing symptoms 3) adjunct to medication. I give seminars on effects of exercise in management of mental health. Sorry it does not work for you but the fact that you still get to exercise is already a win. Some can't even go for short walks. And while it may not help relieve your sx, it's still beneficial for your overall health.

How about those that struggle with motivation and can’t exercise? They make it sound so easy. “Just exercise.” Ya I would if I could get out of my bed.

It doesn't cure depression no.. but it helps me sleep better and improves my energy levels. Small wins. Getting myself to exercise is a whole different ball game though 🫠

If you haven't tried vitamin D supplements please do. I've suffered depressive episodes all my life, and vit-d is the only thing that's ever helped.

I have major depressive order, I am on the highest ethical dose of wellbutrin, I take the highest dose of Vyvanse, and I am on bupenorephine. I lift *relgiously* and I find that it mostly helps, like you said, with some endorphin action, and it makes me feel better about myself. It's a tool to be used in the battle, but if you are like me, you still need the medication or else your quality of life is going to be absolute shit in comparison. Without meds I am not motivated and I am a real asshole

“Exercise does not PREVENT nor CURE depression…” Too many people, too often, suggest or recommend exercise as a solution; akin to the tropes like “just be happier.”