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The first study to compare the effects of antidepressants with running exercises for anxiety, depression, and overall health shows that they have about the same benefits for mental health – but a 16-week course of running over the same period scores higher in terms of physical health improvement, whereas antidepressants lead to a slightly worse physical condition, as has been suggested by previous studies. However, the drop-out rate was much higher in the group that initially chose exercise.
Brenda Penninx said: “Both interventions helped with the depression to around the same extent. Antidepressants generally had a worse impact on body weight, heart rate variability, and blood pressure, whereas running therapy led to improved effects on general fitness and heart rate for instance. We are currently looking in more detail for effects on biological aging and processes of inflammation.”She further explained the importance of recognizing the merits of both therapies.
In addition, let’s also face the potential side effects our treatments can have. Doctors should be aware of the dysregulation in nervous system activity that certain antidepressants can cause, especially in patients who already have heart problems. This also provides an argument to seriously consider tapering and discontinuing antidepressants when depressed or anxious episodes have remitted.