4 Ways Depression Affects The Brain

Sometimes it seems that depression is a pure emotional disorder that only affects one’s mood and emotions. However, people suffering from depression may also experience physical and hormonal changes in the brain. Depression affects the brain and mental health, but also the rest of the body.

It is a bigger global problem than many people think. According to the World Health Organization,  more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. On average, more than 800,000 people commit suicide each year due to depression. It is also the leading cause of death among people aged 15 and 29.

Depression is not just a temporary emotional change. The changes it causes in the brain make it very difficult to control. For that reason , it is important to acknowledge it and treat it with a specialist,  instead of believing that it is bad mood that will go away on its own.

Depression physically affects the brain in this way

Depression affects the brain directly in all three parts: the hippocampus, the cerebellum and the prefrontal cortex. Next, we will explain these three parts in more detail.

1. Shrinkage of the hippocampus

The hippocampus is the central part of the brain. It is responsible for storing memory and regulating the production of cortisol, which is the hormone of stress and happiness.

When you suffer from physical or mental stress, including depression, your body releases cortisol to try to relieve the effects of stress. However, when cortisol levels are very high, it causes a hormonal imbalance. The production of neurons then decreases and the hippocampus shrinks.

2. Shrinkage of the prefrontal cortex

This part is located in the front part of the brain. The prefrontal cortex  is responsible for regulating emotions and creating memories.

The prefrontal cortex may also shrink due to too much cortisol. Specialists actually believe that this is what causes postpartum depression in some women.

3. Irritation of the cerebellum

The cerebellum is located below the temporal lobe, in the lower part of the brain. It  regulates emotions such as pleasure, happiness and fear among others.

Too much cortisol can cause it to become irritated. It then causes sleep problems and abnormal behavior patterns. Being more active can also cause other parts of the body to release more hormones than normal. It can cause other health complications.

4. Lack of oxygen

In addition to the ways in which depression physically affects the brain, it also causes indirect changes.

Studies show that the  body oxygenates less during periods of depression. However, we do not know if this is due to changes in breathing or due to something else.

This reduction in oxygen affects cells throughout one’s body. The brain in particular suffers injury or death.

How do the ways depression affects the brain affect the rest of one’s health?

These changes in one’s brain do not happen immediately. However, they are the result of a depression. Studies suggest that  it takes about 8 to 10 months for the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex to shrink.

Dr. Thomas Frodl, a researcher at Magdeburg Hospital in Germany, followed up on patients with depression for three years. They saw that physical changes in the brain grew over time.

Some of the ways in which depression affects the brain are:

• Memory loss
• Decreased function of neurotransmitters
• Stasis of brain development
• Decreased ability to learn new things
• Cognitive problems
• Problems concentrating
• Changes in mood
• Lack of empathy towards others
• Problems sleeping
• Fatigue

This is how you can treat the way depression affects the brain

Scientific studies suggest that the hormonal imbalances from too much cortisol and other hormones are the primary cause of emotional problems and physical changes in the brain.

The goal of treatment is therefore to regulate the production of hormones. For example, it helps regulate cortisol and serotonin. You can also do this with medication and / or with therapy. Therapy is highly recommended, even if you are already taking medication.

Research shows that  therapy helps modify the structure of the brain. In addition, it also helps fight the symptoms of depression. This is why it is important to seek professional help if you think you are suffering from depression.

There are also things that people with depression can do themselves to help improve brain function and fight depression.

• Control your stress levels
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy foods
• Sleep well
• Avoid alcohol and drugs

In other words, depression is a disorder that is about much more than just mood swings. Even if you cannot see it with the naked eye, the brain undergoes physical changes that affect the person’s general well-being.