The charity Nuffield Health claims that GPs are 46 times more likely to prescribe prescription medication for depression than other forms of therapy including exercise.
Only 1% were of patients were advised to exercise even though some studies have found exercise was more effective than no therapy for reducing symptoms of depression. Only 4% of patients said they would rather be given medication, if there were a choice.
The charity also found that out of a survey of 2000 people showed that 44% had regular symptoms of anxiety, an increase from 33% in 2008.
Nuffield Health said: ‘To offer workable support early on, when a patient experiences the first signs of mental health such as increased anxiety and low mood, may prevent a more serious depression taking hold’.
They would like to see doctors giving more advice about the advantage of exercise for mental health.
Beth Murphy, of mental health charity Mind, said: ‘Mind has found that people who do regular exercise or take part in ecotherapy activities such as gardening can improve their mental well-being and reduce feelings of depression.
‘We urge health professionals to take alternatives such as exercise seriously and consider a range of treatments that offer more choice for individuals.’
To read the full article follow this link:
http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/fitness-and-wellbeing/news/prescribing-exercise-key-to-defusing-ticking-mental-health-time-bomb
[mailchimpsf_form]
