I don't think that's what the post I responded to was saying. I think the post I was responding to was recommending exercise as a treatment for exercise, not recommending just getting out of the house as a first step to seeing a professional.
> Of course, suggest getting professional help first.
the post I responded to did not do that.
You've described how hard it is sometimes to leave the house. Do you think it's realistic to expect a person in that situation to start doing 5 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session, of vigorous exercise?
Depression can be deadly but it isn't the same as cancer. Good friends and family support and understanding don't make cancer any better. They may not always help with depression either but it is possible.
So, there is no problem calling for people to propose professional help first. But in a thread where that is mentioned a hundred times, to demand that every commenter preface their feedback with this line seems so pedantic to me.
The best first advice is to get professional help. That doesn't mean "get drugs," it means start the evaluation process, which may or may not include drugs, therapy, exercise, whatever.
Go ahead and recommend exercise or herbal remedies or whatever, but I believe one should strongly direct a sufferer to professional help first. The closer and more credible to a person you are, that may be more like telling them to go, or even bringing them there.
Everyone's depression is unique to them. Sure the causes and treatment may be common with other people, but what works for one, or doesn't, is not necessarily the same for another.
Treatment for depression needs to be directed by a doctor or other trained professional.