Some mental health conditions have the potential to physically change your brain. One such disorder is depression. In other words, this is about much more than moods. Rather, depression involves complex neurological changes that must be addressed. In other to heal and recover, factors like brain inflammation and/or loss of gray matter volume must be factored in.
Research is ongoing as to whether or not these changes can be reversed. What we do know is that treatments are available to counter the inevitable symptoms of depression-induced effects on the brain. With that in mind, let’s explore what is known and how it can help you.
3 Ways Depression Affects The Brain
This is not meant to imply that there are only three ways. However, these are the three changes that can be best observed and explained.
Inflammation
Let’s begin by stating the reality that we’re not sure if depression causes inflammation or if the connection manifests in a different way. The link that is known involves people with depression for ten-plus years showing much more inflammation than people with short bouts of depression. We’re talking 30 percent more inflammation. Two possible outcomes of chronic brain inflammation are:
A faster rate of brain aging due to a reduction in neuroplasticity
Neurons and neurotransmitters grow more slowly and this causes cognitive problems
Brain Shrinkage
The parts of the brain most susceptible to shrinkage are:
Hippocampus
Thalamus
The frontal and prefrontal cortex
A stress hormone called cortisol could be the culprit for these regions getting smaller. In contrast, cortisol can increase the size of the amygdala. This combination creates problems like:
Sleep disturbances
Slow talking patterns
Anxiety
Gaps in memory
Appetite swings (more or less)
Overwhelming negative emotions (like guilt)
Unclear thinking and a tendency toward overreaction
A Decrease in Oxygen Intake
Here’s the theory: Depression changes your breathing patterns. Changes in your breathing patterns can result in oxygen restriction. This, in turn, can lead people to display:
Poor motor skills
Memory loss
Lack of rational judgment
Signs and Symptoms That Depression is Affecting Your Brain
Emotional Dysfunction and Related Sleep Problems
As mentioned above, cortisol causes an enlargement of your amygdala. Rather than enhance the amygdala’s functionality, the size change throws off your moods and emotions. Whether you feel positive or negative, you will feel it in an intense, extreme manner. One possible outcome (of many) of emotional dysfunction is sleep disturbances. This can create a cycle of negative moods leading to more depression which leads to more amygdala growth.
A Decline in Cognitive Ability
Those stress hormones, left to their own devices, can wreak havoc. For example, they degrade your neurons and, thus, cause poor cognitive capabilities. In addition, people with depression frequently exhibit:
Difficulty with concentration and focus
Memory issues
Poor decision-making
Physical Issues and Illnesses
These can include:
Chronic digestive problems
Heart disease (often caused by the ongoing presence of stress hormones)
Substance abuse as a form of self-medication
Don’t Jump to Conclusions — But Get a Professional Opinion
Posts like this can lead one to make worst-case scenario assumptions. Therefore, it is vital that you don’t try self-diagnosing depression. Also, there is no reason to start fearing permanent brain changes. All of the above is real but must be assessed in the proper context. Where can you make that happen?
Keep in mind that if you have depression, it can be treated. You can recover, heal, and thrive again. The information above provides you with further impetus to get checked out soon. Find out what’s really going on so you can get yourself on a new and healthier path. Reach out to me soon to learn more about the benefits of depression treatment.
