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Lifestyle Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression

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Lifestyle Medicine

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Abstract

There is compelling evidence that modifiable lifestyle factors contribute to the pathogenesis of depression. However, lifestyle targets are frequently not considered for contemporary depression treatment. Rather, medication and psychological intervention remain first-line treatments. This chapter will outline lifestyle factors that can contribute to the pathogenesis of depression, with these lifestyle elements being potentially modifiable via a prescriptive approach. We will then explore the evidence for their clinical application, firstly those for which there is sound evidentiary support (diet, physical activity and exercise, mindfulness meditation, management of recreational substance misuse, sleep, and social interaction) and secondly, lifestyle and environmental elements that have a more nascent evidence base (greenspace and pollutant exposure, hobbies and relaxation, and animal/pet therapy). Considerations for future directions are also outlined.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body Mass Index

NCDs:

Noncommunicable diseases

NESDA:

Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety

PA:

Physical activity

PFC:

Prefrontal cortex

PREDIMED:

Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea

RCTs:

Randomized controlled trials

T2D:

Type-2 diabetes

5-HT:

5-hydroxytryptamine

UPBEAT:

Understanding the Prognostic Benefits of Exercise and Antidepressant Therapy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry & The Melbourne Clinic, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Jerome Sarris PhD, MHSc

  2. Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia

    Jerome Sarris PhD, MHSc

  3. IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Ryrie St, 3220, Geelong, VIC, Australia

    Adrienne O’Neil BA (Honors), PhD

Authors
  1. Jerome Sarris PhD, MHSc
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  2. Adrienne O’Neil BA (Honors), PhD
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Correspondence to Adrienne O’Neil BA (Honors), PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New York, USA

    Jeffrey I. Mechanick MD

  2. Chicago, USA

    Robert F. Kushner MD

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Sarris, J., O’Neil, A. (2016). Lifestyle Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression. In: Mechanick, J., Kushner, R. (eds) Lifestyle Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24687-1_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24687-1_25

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