{"id":18111,"date":"2026-05-15T22:58:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T22:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easyrecipes.milaf.ma\/?p=18111"},"modified":"2026-05-15T22:58:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T22:58:58","slug":"im-a-psychiatrist-and-the-best-way-to-fight-depression-isnt-with-medication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/im-a-psychiatrist-and-the-best-way-to-fight-depression-isnt-with-medication\/","title":{"rendered":"“I’m a psychiatrist, and the best way to fight depression isn’t with medication.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

What if the solution to feeling better was simpler than we imagine? Faced with growing distress, an accessible and concrete approach could well change the game.<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/picture>What if the key to feeling better wasn’t necessarily hidden where we expect to find it? While the morale of the French, and especially the younger generation, seems to be severely tested, a voice is rising to offer a surprising alternative. No complicated formula or inaccessible solution, but a habit that could almost be called commonplace. And yet, its impact is far from insignificant.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Depression: a malaise that should not be minimized<\/span><\/h2>\n\"\"<\/picture>We often talk about feeling down or having the blues, especially when autumn arrives or daily life becomes burdensome. However, it’s essential to distinguish between a simple dip in mood and a genuine depressive episode. According to a recent study by the Institut Montaigne, nearly a quarter of 15- to 29-year-olds report experiencing depression. This is a striking figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, a depressive episode is defined as a profound sadness or loss of motivation lasting more than two weeks and accompanied by other symptoms such as intense fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, or loss of interest in usual activities. In these cases, professional guidance is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most often, treatment involves psychological support, sometimes combined with medication when symptoms are severe or persistent. But is this the only possible approach?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Physical activity: a powerful ally for morale<\/span><\/h2>\n\"\"<\/picture>\n

This is where Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Ottawa, comes in. In an editorial published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, he argues for an approach that is still too little used: structured physical exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

His message is clear: regular exercise shouldn’t be a simple recommendation slipped in at the end of a consultation, but a genuine component of the care pathway. According to him, ignoring the potential of physical activity would mean missing out on a major lever for improving symptoms related to depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note that this isn’t just a casual Sunday stroll. The specialist describes personalized programs built according to the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, duration, and type of activity. In other words, a structured and progressive framework, adapted to each individual’s lifestyle and abilities, to prevent discouragement or injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does it work? Because exercise works on several levels: it promotes the release of endorphins, improves sleep quality, boosts self-esteem, and establishes a structured routine. A virtuous circle, like well-mixed pancake batter: the more you stick to it, the more satisfying the result.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can you incorporate sport when you already lack energy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first objection is often: \u201cI\u2019m already exhausted, how can I find the strength to do sports?\u201d And that\u2019s understandable. The idea isn\u2019t to transform into a marathon runner overnight, but to adopt a gradual approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting small is key. Ten to fifteen minutes of gentle activity, three times a week, is a realistic starting point. Brisk walking, stationary cycling, swimming, dancing at home: the important thing is to choose an activity that provides at least some enjoyment to encourage consistency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, having a support network can make all the difference. Joining a group class, hiring a certified personal trainer, or using an app or fitness tracker to monitor progress can boost motivation. Some healthcare professionals even advocate for these programs to be better integrated into treatment plans, with tailored support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, set realistic and progressive goals. Recording your sessions in a diary, celebrating every small victory, and accepting “off” days without guilt all contribute to creating a positive dynamic. Consistency is always more important than intensity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Towards a new way of taking care of one’s mental health<\/span><\/h2>\n

Dr. Nicholas Fabiano’s message is not intended to pit medication against physical activity, but rather to broaden the range of solutions. For some people, exercise can complement therapeutic treatment; for others, it can be a first step towards lasting well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a fast-paced society, getting the body moving again can become a powerful act of reconnecting with oneself. Like a breath of fresh air after a long day, physical activity reminds us that our body and mind are intimately linked.<\/span><\/p>\n

What if, ultimately, putting on your sneakers became the first act of self-love, serving your\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>mental health<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0and genuine,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>lasting well-being<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/center> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What if the solution to feeling better was simpler than we imagine? Faced with growing distress, an accessible and concrete…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18111"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18114,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18111\/revisions\/18114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/food-recipes.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}