This is sexist and not remotely empowering. Why the heavy emphasis on our bodies and what we eat? Sure, eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight are good for physical and mental health, but you have to remember that depressed people are very fragile, and losing weight can be very difficult for some people. Some overweight, depressed women will read this article and think "it's all my fault because I'm fat!"
Restricting calories as much as most dieters do can have a severe effect on the mood, even in healthy people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment
By contrast, exercise has a beneficial effect on mood, and has been shown to make a difference to mild to moderate depression: http://www.depression-guide.com/depression-and-exercise.htm
Taking action to remove stressors is sometimes appropriate, but not always. Very often, stressors simply can't be avoided, but changing one's attitude to them, while not easy to do, can be very effective in improving mood.
"Improve social skills and build and maintain relationships" is good advice, as is "see a professional, and rule out physical causes."
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This is sexist and not remotely empowering. Why the heavy emphasis on our bodies and what we eat? Sure, eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight are good for physical and mental health, but you have to remember that depressed people are very fragile, and losing weight can be very difficult for some people. Some overweight, depressed women will read this article and think "it's all my fault because I'm fat!"
Restricting calories as much as most dieters do can have a severe effect on the mood, even in healthy people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment
By contrast, exercise has a beneficial effect on mood, and has been shown to make a difference to mild to moderate depression: http://www.depression-guide.com/depression-and-exercise.htm
Taking action to remove stressors is sometimes appropriate, but not always. Very often, stressors simply can't be avoided, but changing one's attitude to them, while not easy to do, can be very effective in improving mood.
"Improve social skills and build and maintain relationships" is good advice, as is "see a professional, and rule out physical causes."
Crystal, depression survivor
January 3, 2011 - 12:40pmThis Comment
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