Exercise should be considered a first-line treatment for depression, not just an optional add-on, according to a University of Ottawa psychiatrist. The recommendation comes amid growing evidence that structured physical activity can significantly reduce depressive symptoms. Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, argues in a British Journal of Sports Medicine editorial that mental health professionals should prescribe specific exercise plans alongside—or even before—medication and talk therapy. “Ignoring exercise as a treatment for depression isn’t just a missed opportunity. It might even cross the line into negligence,” says Fabiano. “The research is clear: physical activity really … Continue reading Exercise Prescription for Depression Shows NNT of 2, Psychiatrist Calls Oversight ‘Negligence’