I have been in a bipolar depression for over a year. I tried numerous mood stabilizers and antidepressants, none of which helped, so I turned to ECT. I would say the ECT helped me progress from severe depression to mild depression. For some reason, the mild depression became what I would classify as moderate over this past weekend though.

I really wanted to share with anyone experiencing treatment resistant depression my positive experience with aerobic exercise to combat depression. Whenever I go jog/walking - - even for just a mile - - I experience a significant improvement in my mood. This morning my exercise changed my moderate depression to being in a good mood, having motivation and enthusiasm for the day! When I first woke up, I was just dreading the day and had no motivation.

Not only is exercise said to produce endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, but it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. I have been trying to find a job, with no luck, and I won't be volunteering for a couple of weeks yet, so I really need the feeling of accomplishment that it provides.

Anyway, just thought it was worth posting about for those of you who are not having luck with medication. It's hard work to get in shape enough to realize the benefits to mood but for me, it's totally been worth it.