Do you think that depression is just a feeling of sadness, a feeling of weakness, or boredom? Although many people in our society think so, the truth is much deeper than that. Depression is a condition that really physically affects your mind, your body, and especially your brain. Just like diabetes or high blood pressure. It directly affects the way you think, behave, and feel. So today, let's talk about what depression really does to your brain.
Does depression change brain size?
This may seem a bit surprising, but research has found that some parts of the brains of people with depression actually shrink, or get smaller. Specifically, the gray matter volume (GMV) in these parts decreases. Simply put, gray matter is the tissue in the brain that contains large numbers of brain cells. These are the areas that are important for our thinking, memory, and emotional processing.
This gray matter volume (GMV) loss is particularly common in depressive states with long-lasting, recurrent, and severe symptoms.
Now let's see which parts of the brain are mainly affected by this depression.
| The part of the brain affected | Its function and effect |
|---|---|
| Hippocampus | This is the part of the brain that is most important for learning and memory. It is also connected to other parts of the brain that control emotions. This part is very sensitive to stress hormones. Therefore, it is more likely to be damaged in a state of depression. |
| Prefrontal Cortex | This area helps with things like our higher-level thinking, planning, and decision-making. Shrinkage in this area due to depression can weaken these abilities. |
| Thalamus, Caudate Nucleus, and Insula | There is evidence that depression also shrinks these areas. These are involved in processing our emotions, movements, and sensations. |
| Amygdala | This is like the "fear center" of our brain. Research results are a bit mixed about what happens to this part. Some studies say it shrinks. But other studies show that stress and depression can actually increase the volume of gray matter in this part. |
What happens because of these changes?
When these parts of the brain don't work properly, you may experience things like:
- Memory problems: Often forgetting things, such as where the keys were, or remembering tasks that needed to be done.
- Difficulty thinking clearly: Unable to focus, confused, and difficult to make decisions.
- Constantly feeling guilty or hopeless: Feeling like you are to blame for everything, feeling hopeless about the future.
- No motivation: There is now no interest or motivation in doing things that you used to enjoy.
- Changes in sleep and eating patterns: either sleeping too much or not sleeping at all. Also loss of appetite or overeating.
- Frequent Anxiety: Feeling fearful and uneasy for no reason.
Let's also learn about inflammation that occurs inside the brain.
There is a strong connection between depression and brain inflammation. Imagine if you were to get a cut somewhere on your body and it would turn red and swell, right? That's what we call inflammation, which is a process that happens in the brain. Experts still aren't exactly sure whether depression causes inflammation, or whether inflammation causes depression. But one thing is clear.
Levels of translocator proteins, a chemical involved in inflammation, are elevated in the brains of people who have had a major depressive episode. Research has shown that these levels are even higher in people who have had untreated depression for 10 years or more.
Uncontrolled inflammation in the brain can lead to things like:
- Damage to brain cells or their death.
- Stopping the formation of new brain cells.
- Thinking problems.
- Increased rate of brain aging.
Are these changes permanent? Can they be reversed?
This is the biggest question that many people have. "Will these changes last forever?" Scientists are still trying to figure out the exact answer to this question. But there is good news.
Persistent depression can cause long-term damage, especially to the hippocampus. This may be why depression is so difficult to treat for some people.
But, most importantly, with proper treatment, some of these brain changes can be reversed or prevented.
See what research says about two main treatments currently in use:
1. Antidepressants: These medications work by balancing the activity of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in your brain that control stress and emotions. There is evidence that these medications help the brain form new cell connections and reduce brain inflammation.
2. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): This is a non-drug, talk-based treatment that helps you identify and change your negative thought patterns and behaviors. Experts believe that CBT promotes neuroplasticity, which is the ability of your brain to change itself and form new, healthy connections.
How to get help?
If you think you have symptoms of depression, please don't keep it to yourself and suffer alone. The first and most important thing you should do is see a trusted doctor and talk about it.
Your doctor will first check to see if there are other physical causes for your symptoms. Then they will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. You may need to do one or more of the following:
- Talking to a mental health professional (Talk therapy / Counseling)
- Taking antidepressants
- Exercising
- Meditation
- Getting used to a healthy diet
- Brain stimulation therapies
Finally, an important thing: Suicidal thoughts are a very serious and severe symptom of depression. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves, please don't be alone. Get help immediately. You can call the 'CCCline' number, which is available 24 hours a day, in complete confidentiality, on 1333. Or you can contact an organisation like 'Sumithrayo'. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Take-Home Message
- Depression is not just a "sad feeling." It is a real illness that physically affects the brain.
- This can reduce the size of important parts of the brain that control memory, thinking, and emotions, and cause brain inflammation.
- These brain changes cause symptoms such as memory loss, inability to think clearly, and loss of interest.
- The best news is that with proper treatment (medication and therapy), many of these harmful changes can be reversed or prevented.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, the best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as possible and get advice. Don't suffer alone, get help.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment