I have to weigh in on this:
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Originally Posted by peter12
I am almost entirely certain that a large portion of mental health issues are along the lines of depression, general anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. All of these are easily treated by exercise, and social activities. In more extreme cases, cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven avenue for successful treatment.
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Exercise is absolutely essential for depressives - mainly because of the effect on serotinin levels, also because the repetition of exercise and the mental focus required simply takes you (temporarily, at least) away from the trigger issues. In a strange way, not dwelling on your problems can help you solve them. My own bouts are less severe when I have my regular gym time, and I'm a wreck without them. Social activities don't help me, but that's because I'm a hermit by nature.
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Only in the absolute extreme minority of cases should pharmaceutical intervention be necessary.
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I don't agree with this. The severity of my depression is pretty mild and I'm on a small dose (40 mls/day), but each time I've tried to get off my meds it's been disastrous. Exercise combined with medication is (I think) the most effective treatment.