Can Severe Depression Cause Dementia

What Is Alzheimer Dementia

Alzheimer dementia is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by damage to brain cells. This can happen because of a tumor, head injury, stroke or disease. Alzheimer dementia makes it hard for people to remember, learn, and communicate. These changes eventually make it hard for people to care for themselves. It may also cause changes in mood and personality.

Depression is very common among people who have Alzheimer dementia. In many cases, they become depressed when they realize that their memory and ability to function are getting worse. Together, depression and Alzheimer dementia can cause other symptoms. They may not want to go places or see people anymore. Their outlook and quality of life can suffer.

Strengths And Limitations Of This Study

• Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort , a representative sample of Korea, and our findings on the relationship between dementia and depression is therefore reliable.

• Patients were included in the case group based on usage of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision diagnostic codes, resulting in accurate results that reflect the actual medical environment.

• Our use of NHIS-NSC data rather than medical records, enabled us to control the association of various covariates with dementia, although diagnostic accuracy may be limited.

• It was not possible to confirm if the clinical intervention for depression was protective against the development of dementia.

Hallucination In Neurological And Organic Mental Disorders

Formed and unformed visual hallucinations occur as a result of cortical lesions involving the occipital and temporoparietal areas. Olfactory hallucinations and gustatory hallucinations are usually associated with temporal lobe lesions and lesions in the uncinate gyrus. Crude auditory hallucinations are more common in these conditions than formed ones. Peduncular hallucinations produce vivid, non-stereotyped, continuous, gloomy or colorful visual images that are more pronounced in murky environments. These complex visual hallucinations arise due to lesions that straddle the cerebral peduncles or involve the medial substantia nigra pars reticulata, bilaterally. Hallucinations have been reported in sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Systemic lupus erythematosis , which involves the central nervous system, may present as hallucinations. In the above conditions the modality and content of hallucinations depends on the area of the brain involved.

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Physical Effects Of Depression

Depression can appear physically via symptoms felt in the body. Examples of physical effects of depression include sleep disturbance, appetite changes, poor concentration or memory, and a loss of interest in sex. Some people with depression may also feel chronic pain, experience gastrointestinal issues, or have a higher level of fatigue.

How Alzheimer’s Can Affect Mood

Alzheimers disease is now being diagnosed earlier and earlier, thanks to our growing use of biomarkers. Tests such as the amyloid PET scan can identify with a high degree of probability the presence of the AD process even when cognitive impairment is minimal or absent. AD interferes with the neurotransmitters that affect mood, even at an early stage of its development, so some researchers have suggested that depression early in AD is related to the diseases primary brain-altering effects.

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Treating Anxiety Disorders With Psychotic Features

Arriving at an accurate diagnosis is the first step in determining how to treat someone who has both severe anxiety disorder and exhibits psychotic features. Taking all aspects of the illness into consideration will assist clinicians in arriving at a specific diagnosis. Because different types of anxiety require slightly different treatment approaches, this initial assessment phase is key.

Treatment for the condition will likely involve an integrated approach, including:

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy will include both individual therapy and group therapy. The individual cognitive behavioral therapy sessions allow the therapist to help the individual identify irrational thoughts and fears and maladaptive emotional responses. CBT is highly effective for treating PTSD, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias. A recent study published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience concluded with the statement, the research on CBT in anxiety disorders supports the efficacy and effectiveness of these methods, with most of the current research demonstrating the usefulness of providing exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Group therapy: Group sessions provide opportunities for small groups to discuss and share their anxiety issues while being facilitate by a therapist who guides the topics. These intimate group settings provide a safe environment for sharing and foster peer support in the process.

Clinical Characteristics Of The Study Population And Gender Differences

The study population comprised 60 older adults over the age of 65 years , their age ranged from 65 to 93 years .

Regarding gender differences, the mean age of males was lower than that of females . Common diseases characterized a significant proportion of both older males and females, as did other physical comorbidities. Both females and males took a number of medications because of their several illnesses. In addition to medications taken for the underlying physical conditions , the use of analgesics and psychotropic medications was also significant . Males had more previous and current psychiatric treatments. However, no significant gender differences were found in the occurrence of the already diagnosed mental disorders, in the number of previous in-patient or out-patient psychiatric treatments, or in the current use of psychiatric medications . Among mental disorders in the patients history, addictions were more common among males , while depression and dementia in females.

Table 1 The main clinical characteristics and gender differences in the old age study population

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Does Anxiety And Depression Cause Dementia

Both anxiety and depression are debilitating mental health conditions that reduce ones quality of life. While focusing on general anxiety alone, approximately 3.3 million Americans live with this disorder not to mention depression, which is said to affect more than 15 million American adults.

Considering mood and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, its important to focus on how these conditions influence overall health. Although highly treatable, its estimated that only around one-third of those suffering receive treatment. What does this mean in terms of brain health is it possible that these conditions may contribute to dementia?

How Anxiety and Depression Influence the Brain

Without getting too in-depth, its crucial that we focus on how the brain is affected by both anxiety and depression and what that means for overall function and development. Are the effects short-term, as long as treatment is accessed or do these disorders cause lasting effects?

Unfortunately, based on past research, it does appear that when left untreated, depression and anxiety disorders can, in fact, damage your brain. Although there are many contributing factors, when it all boils down, psychiatric disorders are essentially bad for your brain.

Could Anxiety and Depression Cause Dementia?

Reducing Chronic Stress Is Critical to Brain Health

In order to reduce stress levels on a day-to-day basis, you need to:

Reference:

Can Anxiety Cause You To Feel Things That Arent Real

Anxiety stresses the body, and stress can cause hallucinations. Hallucinations can affect any of our senses, including the sense of touch. So, yes, anxiety can cause you to feel things that arent real, such as a crawly skin feeling, feeling like someone touched you when no one did, burning, itching, etc.

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Can Extreme Stress Cause Dementia

Researchers found that chronic stress is a significant risk factor for dementia. Because this study looked at several previous studies, its findings are particularly convincing. A study of 1,700 seniors with an average age of 77 found a link between depressionwhich can both cause and be caused by stressand dementia.

Does depression make you lose your memory?

Depression has been linked to memory problems, such as forgetfulness or confusion. It can also make it difficult to focus on work or other tasks, make decisions, or think clearly. Stress and anxiety can also lead to poor memory. Depression is associated with short-term memory loss.

Can emotional trauma trigger dementia?

Several studies have pointed out that a particularly traumatic event could enhance the risk of dementia. Life events associated with chronic or repeated stress are characterized by their permanence or their repetition.

Does depression affect cognitive ability?

It can impair your attention and memory, as well as your information processing and decision-making skills. It can also lower your cognitive flexibility and executive functioning .

Managing Hallucinations: When To See Your Doctor

Hallucinations in bipolar disorder can be managed. As with any physical or mental illness, its important to seek the advice of your doctor. Both of you can work together to find the right medication to stabilize your mood, or work to adjust your medication.

Hallucinations may be the result of your bipolar disorder, but it could also be caused by something else. Other causes of hallucinations include:

• side effects of medications
• drug or alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• certain eye conditions

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Biological Mechanisms Linking Depression To Dementia

The most prominent biological mechanisms linking depression to dementia include a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation with alterations in glucocorticoid steroid levels, hippocampal atrophy, inflammatory changes, deficits of nerve growth factors, increased deposition of Amyloid- plaques and cerebrovascular disease.

Depression Mixed With Dementia

Regarding depression as a prodromal state of dementia, Ownby et al. conducted a meta-analysis of 9 case-control and 11 cohort studies and reported odds ratios of 2.03 and 1.90 for the development of AD in patients with a history of depression compared with those without a history of depression, respectively . Other meta-analyses have reported odds ratios of 1.65 and 2.52 for the development of AD and VaD, respectively, in older patients with a history of depression compared with patients without a history of depression . In addition, a systematic review of longitudinal studies of pseudodementia reported that 33% of patients with depressive pseudodementia had progressed to irreversible dementia at follow-up . Recently, depression has received special attention as one of the precursors of DLB, and a retrospective study of 90 patients with DLB reported that depressive symptoms preceded memory impairment by an average of 4.8 years .

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Do depression and Alzheimer dementia run in families? Am I at risk?
• What types of medicines treat depression and Alzheimer dementia? Are there any side effects?
• Will depression go away?
• Are there any lifestyle changes that help improve the symptoms?
• Can you recommend a support group for people who have these conditions and their caregivers?

Where To Get Help

• Discuss with the persons doctor your concerns about changes in behaviour, and the impact on you and the person you care for.
• Call the National Dementia Helpline on to learn about support services and education programs, including carer support groups, counselling, and services and programs to assist you to understand and respond to changes and maintain your health and wellbeing.
• Call the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service on . They support people living with dementia who experience changes in behaviour that impact their care or the carer.

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Tips To Provide Ongoing Support

• Keep to a daily routine.
• Encourage regular exercise.
• Reduce noise and activity in the environment. This will help avoid overstimulation.
• Organise activities they previously enjoyed. If possible, include family and friends.
• Have realistic expectations. Expecting too much can lead to frustration and disappointment.
• Get important tasks done at the time of day when they have the most energy.
• Be positive. Optimistic and supportive words will help everyone.
• Include the person in as much conversation as they feel comfortable with.

How To Determine Depression In Dementia

Depression may impact people in various ways. There are four main stages of depression: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, and eventually acceptance. Common symptoms include feeling depressed, hopeless, or irritated over long periods. A person may lose interest or pleasure in previously favourite activities, feel worthless, guilty, or lack self-confidence.

There are many forms of dementia. Alzheimers disease is the most common form, accounting for 60-70% of all cases. Other common forms include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia , and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia .

According to one study, people who developed depression later in life had a 70% greater chance of dementia, while those who had been depressed since middle age had an 80% increased risk. Researchers have connected depression and dementia for a long time.

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Differences Between Depression And Dementia

• Depression tends to develop much more quickly than most types of dementia over weeks or a few months.
• It is common for people with dementia to have problems with their speech and awareness of where they are and what time it is. This is unusual in depression.
• A person with depression may sometimes say they cant remember something but then remember when they are prompted. However, a person with dementia is likely not to remember recent events. They may also try to cover up their memory loss.
• A person with severe depression may have problems with their reasoning or memory. However, this is likely to be because they have poor concentration. Their problems with reasoning or memory should get better with treatment or when the depression lifts. This does not happen with dementia.

Common Symptoms Of Depression And Dementia

The following symptoms are common in both depression and dementia. They mainly include isolation, memory and attention problems:

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Being unusually emotional, crying, angry, or agitated

Now, lets consider these symptoms in more detail:

An apathetic person suffering from depression and dementia will be less prone to engage in activities. They may also lack the energy and enthusiasm to do routine or everyday duties and rely on other people to plan and organize activities. They are not concerned about their issues or react emotionally to news or events.

• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies

Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and hobbies is a significant symptom of depression. As a result, you appear to be disconnecting from reality into a more passive period of life.

Some people separate themselves from society, avoiding their friends, family, and formerly favourite pastime. According to research, the more people you communicate with, the slower the emergence of cognitive problems you have in this syndrome.

• Trouble concentrating

A person with dementia who is depressed may have poor health as well as problems with their thinking and memory. It will be more difficult for a person to focus on completing a basic regular activity.

• Loss of appetite and weight

• Being unusually emotional, crying, angry, or agitated

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Is Depression The First Sign

Researchers and clinicians have been thinking for a long time about the relationship between depression and dementia. Sometimes, depressive symptoms are the first glimpse of the brain failure that will lead to dementia. Some researchers believe that depression increases inflammation and other chemical changes in the body, actually increasing the risk of later dementia. Everyone agrees that depression and dementia together create more suffering and complications than either condition alone.

Understanding Depression May Help Us Better Understand Dementia

There is even overlap in clinical trials, where researchers are looking at the effectiveness of depression treatments for some symptoms of dementia. A recent analysis found that the antidepressant drug fluoxetine may show promise in improving cognitive symptoms in Alzheimers.

Together, depression and dementia may be two of the most challenging medical issues that we face in the coming decades. However, learning what depression and dementia have in common could help us treat depression and reduce the risk of some forms of dementia.

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Depression As A Risk Factor For Dementia

Research indicates that depression is linked to an increased risk of dementia. However, this research is still ongoing and needs to be investigated further. Lets review some recent findings.

A 2020 study conducted in Sweden compared dementia risk in people with and without depression. The study found that people with a diagnosis of depression were at a higher risk of developing dementia.

The risk of dementia appeared to be highest in the first year after a diagnosis of depression. After that, the risk decreased rapidly with time. However, it was still elevated more than 20 years after the diagnosis of depression.

One 2020 studyfound that depression in people ages 45 to 64 years old was also associated with a higher risk of dementia.

Researchers involved in a 2019 study also found links between depression and dementia. This study included 11,472 older adults throughout Latin America, 26 percent of whom had depression or depressive symptoms.

Both depression and depressive symptoms were found to be associated with an increased risk of dementia in this group. But this study didnt account for the fact that depression can also be a symptom of dementia.

A 2021 study used statistical modeling to look at the effect of depressive symptoms on cognition in four groups of people whose ages ranged from 20 to 89 years old. The goal of this study was to find an association between depressive symptoms at different stages of life and cognitive impairment.

How Do You Know If Youre Having A Nervous Breakdown

Nervous breakdown is not a medical term, but it is often used colloquially to mean intense mental and emotional distress.

In terms of major depressive disorder, symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions, can occur. When this happens, it is called MDD with psychotic features, or psychotic depression.

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