An unhealthy lifestyle with lack of exercise, improper diet, and self-poisoning with toxins such as cigarettes and alcohol, as well as psychiatric disorders such as depression, magnify one's perceived stress. This can then lead to symptoms of disease. Dr. Moore believes primary care physlclans see a lot of patients with depression who are reluctant to consult a psychotherapist because they are threatened by it.
Many people think it's a sign of weakness to be depressed.
They will come to an internist with a physical complaint. But really, they just don't feel well and don't know why. It's the 'no energy' syndrome. Once they are educated that it's a biochemical medical disease, they can accept help and start getting well. Exercise is an important part of Dr. Moore's prescription for both stress and depression.