Drugs Cure Depression In Only Half of Patients--Exercise Still King

A NEW REPORT in the Washington Post shows that antidepressants fail to cure the symptoms of major depression in half of all patients with the disease--even if they receive the best possible care. This, according to a major government study released yesterday.

Significant numbers of patients continue to experience symptoms such as sadness, low energy and hopelessness after intensive treatment, even as about an equal number report an end to such problems -- a result that quickly lent itself to interpretations that the glass was either half empty or half full.

This study is important because it demonstrates that taking a pill to fix your sitch is NOT always the answer. It also bears pointing out that regular EXERCISE has been proven--in study after study--to lift depression. Exercise conducted outdoors, especially in the bright light, has also been shown to be a powerful antidepressant.