If you suffer from depression, you may be desperate for help. While counseling and medication can help, many people still find that they have bouts of depression or depression symptoms. Recent studies show that the best way to fight depression is with exercise and social interaction.

One study was conducted on two groups of people. One group contained 52 people who had been diagnosed with depression. The group participated in activities such as sewing, yoga, sports, and art together. The second group contained 92 people who were also diagnosed with depression. This group joined a clinical psychotherapy group.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect social identification has on depression. The people who were able to identify with other people in the group had 50% less symptoms and bouts of depression than those who could not identify with the group. The study suggests that people who are more social and are able to identify with others are much more likely to overcome depression than those who are not social.

A separate study shows that exercise has a similar effect on depression and that people who exercise regularly are more likely to overcome depression as well.

Many doctors are suggesting that patients try exercising before they start taking depression medication. While exercise is not a practical option for some people, most are able to do it and can benefit from it in more ways than one.

“The issue is that exercise seems as straightforward and simple as apple pie and your mom,” Dr. Trivedi said. “Everybody knows what it is, so it’s misunderstood. It’s important to explain to patients the seriousness of the disease they have and the nuances of the intervention they need.”

Doctors admit that exercise will not work on everyone or on all types of depression and that many people will still need medication to overcome depression completely.

Do you suffer from depression? How do you deal with it?

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