In addition to maintaining physical fitness, sports or physical exercise was also to improve the mental or psychological condition. In some areas of the UK for example, sports began to widely recommended for treating patients with mild depression by improving self-control through better body image.
As revealed in a survey by Mental Health Foundation on to about 200 physicians, approximately 22% of doctors are now recommending physical exercise or sport to help overcome depression. This figure increased significantly in the appeal survey last year which only reached 5% only.
Mental Health Foundation stresses, it is important for physicians to not only prescribe antidepressants to patients, but also look for alternative therapies such as exercise. Research has shown that exercise can help patients who suffer from mild depression by improving self-control through better body image or achieving certain goals. This method is also freed from feelings of alienation that often can lead to depression. Exercise also makes the body produce hormones such as endorphins, the brain is useful.
“Exercise can help people physically, socially and biologically. They (patients) are often met with others who are in the same situation as them, but now may be dissociated and feel better,” said Celia Richardson, campaigns director of the Mental Health Foundation.
The survey also revealed that trust has now emerged that more widespread among doctors that treatment with exercise is beneficial for the patient. Three years ago, approximately 41% of physicians assess “effective or very effective” and now increased to 61%.
But about 50 percent of physicians who were included in the survey said they do not have access to therapy through this sport. Two-thirds of the doctors also said they hoped to gain such access.
The survey also recorded many patients who are interested in how exercise can help their troubles. One of doctors say they recorded an increase in the number of patients who asked whether exercise can help people with depression.
Patients who had received physician recommendation to undergo mandatory training program is usually accompanied by a personal trainer or personal trainer who will help find the type of equipment and training for them. Exercise program for people with depression who initiated Mental Health Foundation has now been running in some areas such as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, London, Northamptonshire, Redcar and Cleveland, and Wirral. Results of training in six areas is planned to be published next year.