Dr Matthew Parker, DO
Region: US
Tuesday 04 August 2026 14:28:09 GMT
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gjyvjk2 :
Prescribing exercising for depression is like prescribing diet for weight loss. Beautiful in theory, 95% failure at implementation.
2026-08-05 00:55:29
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HANNAH :
It should be prescribed as a gym membership and personal trainer covered by insurance with a therapist required check-in weekly. THAT would work better.
2026-08-05 20:06:38
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Portia :
Exercise is probably the single best thing for depression. Unfortunately when you’re already depressed it can feel next to impossible to even go for a walk let alone work out.
2026-08-04 20:36:33
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Gingi S.D. Sweet Sr. :
Psychologist here. Of course we recommend exercise. The data are incontrovertible. The problem is that for the severely depressed it’s hard to get out of bed let alone take a vigorous walk
2026-08-05 07:27:28
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Gwin :
can we also get insurance companies to cover things like personal trainers so that people can exercise better and have the accountability that a depressed person needs
2026-08-05 00:12:24
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♑ Childless Cat Lady 🧿 :
people get pissed when you suggest exercise
2026-08-05 07:37:46
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me :
no one would fucking do it. I hear every goddamn excuse.
2026-08-04 21:04:55
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emily :
I would love if this became part of the domain of PT too, we talk a lot about it in school but the way insurance works it’s very injury —> tx model vs more wholistic wellness take
2026-08-06 01:26:22
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thebatman394 :
Speaking anecdotally here, even with mild depressive symptoms, it’s hard to get the motivation to actually start exercising. Providers worry about medication non-compliance, and non-compliance with a prescription for exercise would likely be way higher than medication. The mental load of self-starting makes it unrealistic. Having said that, exercise DOES improve depressive symptoms. I’ve never left the gym feeling as or more depressed than when I walked in. Without exception, I’ve always felt better off mentally after a workout. Same with eating healthful, whole, real foods rather than processed crap. Medication can help remove the mental blockers that keep people from starting. The hardest part is actually getting up and starting.
2026-08-04 20:03:36
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lilly :
if we could get insurance to cover things like gym memberships, treadmills/walking pads, bikes, and other equipment…that would be a dream
2026-08-04 22:19:07
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the-whole-shenanigans :
Excercise doesn’t fix PMDD, ADHD, autism, ptsd, complex ptsd, dissociative disorders, sleep apnea, delayed circadian rhythm disorders (they’re genetic fyi) at all. We’re also blatantly ignoring that most women are MISDIAGNOSED with “depression” constantly and high means excercise won’t help anything either.
2026-08-04 22:51:06
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Mo :
To prescribe exercise successfully I feel like you would have to prescribe something like physical rehab for the entire body. It’s too abstract and difficult to just say “go move”. It needs to be a structured service that takes all the thinking and planning out of it and just walks the person though it in a way that’s catered to their needs the way PT is.
2026-08-04 20:59:13
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RanchoDelZorro :
Therapist here, I recommend it to every client to incorporate body movement, that the research is solid, etc. it’s SUCH a hard sell for people.
2026-08-05 15:13:21
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A. E. Wibmer :
this right here!
2026-08-05 18:54:42
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user0123456789 :
lol prescribe all the exercise you want, 90% of them won't do it if they don't want to
2026-08-06 02:05:37
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Christy :
Reduces. But doesn’t take it away from me, as someone who moves a lot 15k steps but still depressed asf
2026-08-05 05:09:09
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OwlofMenace :
I’ll vouch for this with you, my man
2026-08-05 17:42:17
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Dali Rose :
It helps, just like medications may help. I walk every single day and it makes me happy in the moment
2026-08-05 14:00:00
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user538739352 :
Also paying attention to hormones in women. Birth control + propanolol prn is fixing a lot of things for me. Progesterone is the anti anxiety hormone.
2026-08-04 19:05:03
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Marlo 🫶💋 :
If exercise got rid of your depression, you probably didn't have depression and were just going through a hard time. People with major depressive disorder have a hard time having a will to live much less adding an exercise routine after working all day long. Then the failure will add more shame. Excercise is great in addition to therapy and medication but it's not a replacement. You need to treat the underlying issue that's causing the symptoms and it's usually chemical or thyroid. There's non SSRI treatments now that have low side effects. They'll likely have the motivation to after their brain feels better.
2026-08-05 01:03:13
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mocha :
Except for those with health issues, right because a lot of people exercise exacerbates their physical pain and other issues
2026-08-04 19:48:45
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Megan C :
My therapists all have encouraged even walking if I can't force myself to the gym, but it wasn't until I learned to swim that I found an exercise that works for me that I can do several times a week. It was my therapist who pushed me to take lessons and give it a shot and I'm so glad she did.
2026-08-04 23:30:09
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Hannah :
My hospital received a grant to “prescribe” gym memberships for people. It was great!
2026-08-05 16:49:29
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Lexughhh :
Idk, maybe bc depression makes it very difficult to exercise? Maybe the majority of people seeking meds have severe depression instead of mild?
2026-08-05 13:14:37
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ceggmcmuffin :
I was just tired and still depressed. Doesn’t work
2026-08-04 21:36:28
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