Lifestyle modifications, with a focus on exercise, diet, smoking, and alcohol, may be of substantial value in reducing the burden of depression.
Do lifestyle modifications reduce the risk and burden of unipolar depression?
Lifestyle modifications including exercise, diet, and reducing smoking/alcohol may be of substantial value in reducing the burden of depression.
OBJECTIVE: To be used in conjunction with 'Pharmacological management of unipolar depression' Malhi et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013;127(Suppl. 443):6-23 and 'Psychological management of unipolar depression' Lampe et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013;127(Suppl. 443):24-37. To provide clinically relevant recommendations for lifestyle modifications in depression, derived from a literature review. METHOD: A search of pertinent literature was conducted up to August 2012 in the area of lifestyle factors and depression. A narrative review was then conducted. RESULTS: There is evidence that level of physical activity plays a role in the risk of depression, and there is a large and validated evidence base for exercise as a therapeutic modality. Smoking and alcohol and substance misuse appear to be independent risk factors for depression, while the new epidemiological evidence supports the contention that diet is a risk factor for depression; good quality diets appear protective and poor diets increase risk. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle modification, with a focus on exercise, diet, smoking and alcohol, may be of substantial value in reducing the burden of depression in individuals and the community.
Berk et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in unipolar depression. Lifestyle modifications was evaluated. Lifestyle modifications, with a focus on exercise, diet, smoking, and alcohol, may be of substantial value in reducing the burden of depression.