How does depression affect the brain?

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Depression is not just an ordinary feeling of depression, it can change your brain. This can affect the way you think, feel, and act. Experts think genetics, stress and inflammation may play a role. It's important to get help for your depression so it doesn't damage your brain over time. Early treatment can help you avoid or reduce some of the changes that will be discussed in this article.

1. Brain size

There is some debate about determining which areas of the brain are affected and to what extent during depression. There is growing evidence that certain parts of the brain show signs of shrinking in people with depression. Specifically, these areas have lost gray matter volume (GMV), which is the tissue that has a lot of brain cells. Loss of gray matter seems to be higher in people with frequent or persistent depression with severe symptoms.
Studies show that depression can reduce gray matter volume in the following areas:
Hypothalamus (Hippocampus): That part of the brain important for learning and memory, the hypothalamus connects to other brains. the other part of the brain that controls emotions and responds to stress hormones.
Prefrontal cortex: This area plays a role in thinking and planning. There is also evidence that the following parts of the brain also shrink during depression: the thalamus, caudal nucleus, and insula

Bộ não — Trầm cảm có thể gây ảnh hưởng đến bộ não

Results vary on how depression affects the caudate nucleus. That is your fear center. Others have found that stress and depression can increase the loss of gray matter. The more severe the depression, the greater the loss of gray matter volume. When these areas are not working properly, you can have problems such as:
Having memory problems Difficulty thinking clearly Feelings of guilt or hopelessness No motivation Having problems sleeping sleep or appetite Feeling anxious You may also move or speak slowly, or overreact to negative emotions.

2. Encephalitis

It is difficult to determine whether encephalitis precedes depression or vice versa. But people who experience major depressive episodes have higher levels of translocation protein. Those are chemicals that have been linked to brain inflammation. Studies show that these proteins are even higher in people who have had untreated major depressive disorder for 10 years or longer.
Encephalitis when left unchecked can cause consequences such as:
Damage or kill brain cells Prevents new brain cells from growing Causes thinking problems Accelerates aging Brain

Vi khuẩn gây viêm não mô cầu gây nên những căn bệnh nguy hiểm đến tính mạng của người bệnh — Viêm não làm tổn thương đến các tế bào não

3. Are the brain changes permanent?

Scientists are still trying to answer that question. Ongoing depression can cause lasting changes to the brain, especially in the hippocampus. That may be why depression is so difficult to treat in some people. But the researchers also found less gray matter volume in people who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder for life but had not been depressed for many years. Although more research is needed, there is hope that current treatments or new treatments can help reverse or stop some of the changes in the brain. Here's what research has to say about two popular depression treatments:
Antidepressants. These substances act on chemicals in the brain that help manage stress and emotions. There is evidence these drugs can help the brain form new connections and reduce inflammation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Experts think that CBT promotes neuroplasticity. That means you can change your brain in a way that improves depression.
How to get help. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of depression. They will want to rule out other health conditions so they can find the right treatment for you. You may need to make some lifestyle changes, take medication, or talk to a mental health professional. Some people have good results from a combination of all three methods. Some treatments for mild or severe depression include:
Talk therapy Antidepressants Short-term use of ketamine Brain stimulation Exercise Meditation Healthy diet changes

Ngồi thiền chữa bệnh mất ngủ — Phương pháp thiền giúp cải thiện bệnh trầm cảm nhẹ

Suicide is a serious symptom of depression. Get help right away if you are thinking about hurting yourself.
Periodic health check-ups help to detect diseases early, so that there are treatment plans for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy.
Results of the patient's examination will be returned to the home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: Webmd.com

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.