Which statement best describes exercise guidance for patients with mood disorders?

Which statement best describes exercise guidance for patients with mood disorders?

• A. Exercise is contraindicated in mood disorders.
• B. Aerobic and resistance training can improve depressive symptoms; monitor adherence.
• C. Only yoga is recommended.
• D. There is no evidence of benefit.

Answer: (B)

Regular exercise helps mood disorders by boosting brain chemistry, improving sleep, energy, and overall functioning, and it can be a valuable addition to medical treatment. The statement that combining aerobic and resistance training can improve depressive symptoms, with adherence monitoring, captures the balanced evidence: both aerobic and strength-focused activities have shown mood benefits, and tracking how well a patient sticks with the program helps ensure they actually experience those benefits. It’s not limited to one type of exercise, and there is meaningful evidence supporting benefit, not a lack of effect. The other options misrepresent the evidence: exercise is not contraindicated, benefits are not limited to yoga, and there is evidence that activity helps mood, not none.

Regular exercise helps mood disorders by boosting brain chemistry, improving sleep, energy, and overall functioning, and it can be a valuable addition to medical treatment. The statement that combining aerobic and resistance training can improve depressive symptoms, with adherence monitoring, captures the balanced evidence: both aerobic and strength-focused activities have shown mood benefits, and tracking how well a patient sticks with the program helps ensure they actually experience those benefits. It’s not limited to one type of exercise, and there is meaningful evidence supporting benefit, not a lack of effect. The other options misrepresent the evidence: exercise is not contraindicated, benefits are not limited to yoga, and there is evidence that activity helps mood, not none.