How depression affects the brain?

Depression affects the brain in multiple ways, and it interferes with multiple regions of the brain. When a person is experiencing depression, activity in the amygdala is higher, which is the region of the brain that’s associated with emotions and the emotional recollection of events such as anger, pleasure, and sorrow. This might result in a more intense fear response in situations, resulting in anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Hippocampus

Depression also impacts the hippocampus, and it has been shown that some people with depression have a smaller hippocampus. The hippocampus is the area of the brain that processes long-term memory and recollection. The theory behind this is that ongoing exposure to stress might negatively impact this area of the brain, making it more difficult to warn the individual about potentially dangerous situations.

Neurotransmitters

Depression also impacts certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for pleasure, reward, and motivation within the brain. Some research shows lower dopamine levels can contribute to depression in some people. This results in a reduced capability to feel pleasure, reward, and motivation, which is characteristic of some depressive symptoms.

How Depression Affects Viewpoint

Another way that depression can impact the brain is the change in thoughts and feelings resulting from the cycle of depression that people often engage in. Long periods of depression can cause sufferers to change how they see the world, resulting in a different perception of what the person is experiencing. This “negative filter” can cause the person to see neutral or even positive events as neutral, feeding back into the depressive cycle and other depressive symptoms currently being experienced. Depressive symptoms can lead to certain behaviors that impact the brain, such as drug or alcohol use, abuse, or other self-injurious behaviors.

Treating Depression

Depression is something that takes a toll on people both mentally and physically. It can sometimes be hard to tell how depression affects the brain, but it can affect processes in the brain and how our brain thinks about things. Depressive cycles can be difficult to overcome due to changes in thinking patterns and ways to see the world. Treatment for depression must address both the physical and mental symptoms for the best possible outcomes.