How Does Depression Affect Mental Health

Should I Worry That My Child Will Commit Suicide

National surveys from the government show the overall risk. In 2019, for example, nearly 9% of high school students attempted suicide at least once over the course of a year. Thinking about suicide also continued to rise from previous years . Although less common, young children do attempt suicide as well.

Watch your child closely for the warning signs of suicidal behavior, including:

• Focus on death and dying.
• Giving away possessions.

• Combination of the two.

The Overlap Between Anxiety And Depression

At times, depression and anxiety can co-exist. Depression can be triggered by a panic disorder or constant anxiety, and anxiety can be a symptom of depression. Although not everyone with anxiety, depression, or both conditions will undergo the same set of symptoms, there are several overlapping symptoms of the two. The symptoms one can experience with depression or anxiety include changes in energy level, stomach issues without a clear cause, pains and aches, increased irritability, difficulty with memory, focus, and concentration, and changes in sleep patterns.

How Does Depression Affect The Brain 2022 What Happens

Depression and major depressive disorder are significant health concerns in the US. According to the National Institute of Mental Health in 2020, depression affected 14.8 million US adults and 4.1 million adolescents.

Depression is characterized by low mood, little interest in daily activities, and even suicidal thoughts.

As we learn more about what causes depression, it is clear that physical changes to the brain are part of the disease. Decreases in gray matter volume, increased brain inflammation, and changes in brain connectivity are common in those with untreated major depressive disorder.

That may sound scary, but many treatment options exist that can prevent and even restore some of these changes back to normal.

Read on to know more about the effect of depression on the brain and several treatments.

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How Does Depression Affect The Brain

• Depression vs. Bipolar Disorder

Depression can result in negative emotions, overreactions, reduced intellectual abilities, and a general sense of feeling down. These symptoms can range from mild to severe with suicidal thoughts occurring in the most critical of diagnoses. All of these are just symptoms of depression, however. The underlying issues, and important areas of study regarding this disorder, have more to do with the actual changes depression can cause to the brain. Here, well explore an answer to the question how does depression affect the brain?

Ways You Can Look After Yourself

If youre depressed, you can take steps to lift your mood and help your recovery. These steps can help if youve been depressed in the past and want to stay well.

• Talk about how youre feeling. Talking to someone you trust, or finding peer support, can help you feel better and less alone.
• Eat well. A healthy diet can lift your mood and maintain your mental health.
• Stay physically active. Exercise may feel like the last thing you want to do, but it can ease the symptoms of depression. Research suggests it may be as effective as antidepressants in helping you feel better.
• Spend time in nature. Research shows that being in nature can make us feel happier, feel our lives are more worthwhile, and reduce our levels of depression.
• Avoid cigarettes and alcohol. They may feel like theyre helping at first, but they make things worse in the long run.
• Consider mindfulness, a technique you can learn to fully engage in the present. Studies show it can help reduce the symptoms of depression.
• Try talking therapy to stay well. NICE guidelines recommend CBT or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy if youve been depressed in the past.

References:

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Causes And Risk Factors For Depression

There are a number of factors that have been identified as causes of depression. This includes:

Genetics Depression has been found to run in families. Research suggests that the genetic contribution to depression is most likely caused by an interaction of genes not a single gene.

Physiological Predispositions Some individuals are born with a physiological predisposition to develop depression. Whether depression develops or not depends on the environment. In particular, major life events and stressors may cause a depressive predisposition to be expressed.

Brain Structures Differences in the size and shape of areas of the brain that are responsible for mood, sleep, and appetite have been found to cause depression. While researchers dont currently know how this affects the development of depression, there is a strong link between these differences and depression.

Neurotransmitters chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters can affect mood. When levels of certain neurotransmitters are out of balance, this can result in depression.

Environmental Factors There are many negative life events associated with the onset of depression. These include job loss, the death of a loved one, trauma, troubled relationships, and a lack of a positive social network. Any major stressors can lead to depression.

Signs and Symptoms

Co-Occurring Disorders

How Do Antidepressants Work

The most common antidepressant medications for children are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors . These medications increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that can help increase feelings of happiness and well-being.

Use extra caution with antidepressants in children. Some children show no improvement with the medications, or may even feel more depressed. If a healthcare provider recommends antidepressants, watch your childs condition closely. Never allow your child to stop taking antidepressants suddenly. Doing so can cause serious side effects or make depression worse.

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Should You Worry About Antidepressant Withdrawal

insomniaPsychiatric Times

More to the point, while you should slowly stop your antidepressant with the help of your doctor, antidepressants do not cause dependence and withdrawal like other substances. Unlike substances that are known to cause addiction, such as alcohol, opioids, and barbiturates, people don’t crave antidepressants. You dont get high from them, and they arent intentionally or compulsively overused. Serious reactions like the seizures and agitation that can follow sudden withdrawal from addictive substances are unheard of when these antidepressants are tapered gradually, note the authors of the Psychiatric Times report.

Use Antidepressants Instead Of Substances

Rather than turning to alcohol or opioids to feel better, use depression medication like antidepressants instead. A mental health expert will recommend the appropriate medication or therapy as the case may be.

Perhaps you’re not the person with depression but your partner. Your support can be crucial to their recovery. Be patient with them and try not to be judgmental. Keep in mind that your loved one isn’t lazy or boring they’re simply ill and need help.

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What If I Am Not Happy With My Treatment

If you are not happy with your treatment you can:

• talk to your doctor to see if they can suggest changes,
• get an advocate to help you speak your doctor,
• ask for a second opinion if you feel it would help,
• contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service and see whether they can help, or
• make a complaint.

There is more information about these options below.

Advocacy

An advocate is independent from the NHS. They are free to use. They can be useful if you find it difficult to get your views heard.

There are different types of advocates available. Community advocates can support you to get a health professional to listen to your concerns. And help you to get the treatment that you would like. They arent available in all areas.

You can ask an advocate to help you make a complaint. Advocates that do this are called NHS complaints advocates. They are free to use and don t work for the NHS. They re available in all areas.

You can search online to search for a local advocacy service. If you cant find a service you can call our advice service 0808 801 0525 . You can email us too at . We will look for you.

Second opinion

Talk to your doctor about your treatment to see if you can resolve the problem with them first. If you dont agree with their decisions about diagnosis or treatment, you could ask for a second opinion. You are not legally entitled to a second opinion, but your doctor might agree to it if it would help with treatment options.

‘PALS’

Complaints

• Advocacy by clicking here.

Depression Symptoms Causes And Effects

Depression is likely to strike many people to some degree in their lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.1 percent of people reported current major or minor depression. If you or someone you know is depressed, it can cause a marked drop in interest in pursuing life to the fullest, and can, unfortunately, drive a person to attempt suicide if left untreated. Help is available call our hotline at to learn how to break the cycle of depression.

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Residential Treatment Provides A Space To Heal

One of the most important reasons to choose residential care for depression treatment is that it gives you the space, the time, and the opportunity to truly focus on healing. There are no distractions of home, work, and other responsibilities, only a safe place to get better. The damage that depression has done to your brain and body can be slowed, stopped, and even reversed with good care.

The most effective treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and medications, both of which take time to work. This is another reason that residential treatment is a smart choice for depression care. It gives you time to develop a rapport with a therapist and to make positive changes. It also gives you a chance to try one or more antidepressants to find the medication that will adjust your brain chemicals in just the right way for maximum impact with fewest side effects.

Getting relief from depression through treatment will immediately begin to help your brain, reversing the shrinking of certain areas, the inflammation, and the overflow of cortisol. This in turn will help you feel better overall, and you will begin to get relief for the physical symptoms.

Bridges to Recovery offers comprehensive treatment for people struggling with mental health disorders as well as co-occurring substance use disorders. Contact us to learn more about our renowned Los Angeles-based program and how we can help you or your loved one start on the path to lasting wellness.

Seek Support For Symptoms Of Depression

Depression is often not recognised and can go on for months or even years if left untreated. Its important to seek support as early as possible, as the sooner a person gets treatment, the sooner they can recover.

Untreated depression can have many negative effects on a persons life, including serious relationship and family problems, difficulty finding and holding down a job, and drug and alcohol problems.

There is no one proven way that people recover from depression. However, there is a range of effective treatments and health professionals who can help people on the road to recovery.

There are also many things that people with depression can do for themselves to help them recover and stay well. The important thing is to find the right treatment and the right health professional for a persons needs.

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How To Tell If You Have Depression

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.

The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal, that life is no longer worth living.

Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short period of time, rather than being a sign of depression.

Are The Signs Of Untreated Depression In Men Different From Those In Women

Men who have untreated clinical depression may exhibit more anger, frustration, and violent behavior than women. In addition, men with untreated depression may take dangerous risks such as reckless driving and having unsafe sex. Men are not aware that physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain, can be symptoms of depression.

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Is Depression Caused By A Chemical Imbalance

The human brain is extremely complicated. Because antidepressants work by changing brain chemistry, some people have assumed that depression is caused by changes in brain chemistry which are then ‘corrected’ by the drugs. Some doctors may tell you that you have a ‘chemical imbalance’ and need medication to correct it.

But the evidence for this is very weak, and if changes to brain chemistry occur, we don’t know whether these are the result of the depression or its cause.

Are The Changes Permanent

The long-term answer to how long the brain is affected by major depressive disorder , as well as what type of effects can be expected, is still being studied. But research suggests the effects can be lasting.

Clinical depression at any level might have a significant impact on the brain, but the result of continued or repeated depression can be especially negative. Theres some evidence to suggest that the effects of depression on the brain compound over time, and some of these changes in people diagnosed with lifelong major depressive disorder might be present even after years of a depressive episode.

Additionally, levels of translocator proteins also increase in people with depression. These brain chemicals are linked to inflammation in the brain, and studies show they can:

• Kill or hurt brain cells
• Prevent new ones from growing
• Interfere with thinking
• Accelerate brain aging

Even if levels return to normal, even temporary periods of reduced new growth and increased aging can still have potential lifelong impacts. One thing is clear: ongoing depression probably does cause significant, long-term changes to our brain.

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Why Is Mental Health Important For Overall Health

Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.2

Mental Health Conditions: Depression And Anxiety

Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, everyday functioning, you may be depressed. Symptoms of depression include:1

• Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
• Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun
• Feeling irritable easily frustrated or restless
• Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Waking up too early or sleeping too much
• Eating more or less than usual or having no appetite
• Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
• Feeling tired even after sleeping well
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself

The following information is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis of major depression and cannot take the place of seeing a mental health professional. If you think you are depressed talk with your doctor or a mental health professional immediately. This is especially important if your symptoms are getting worse or affecting your daily activities.

The exact cause of depression is unknown. It may be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.2 Everyone is different but the following factors may increase a persons chances of becoming depressed:1

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Incorporate Other Healthy Lifestyle Changes One At A Time

Dont try to fix everything at once. Thats especially true if one of the habits you want to break is smoking.

Quitting smoking can be difficult. If you smoke, talk with your health care professional to determine if you need medications or other help to quit. Therapies may include nicotine replacement or prescription medicines. You could also ask for a referral for a smoking cessation program.

Ultimately, you have to take care of yourself to break the cycle of feeling down. That could be doing something structured, such as a yoga class or tai chi practice, or something you can do anywhere, such as meditating, listening to music or reading a book.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.

Last Reviewed: Jun 22, 2021

Signs And Symptoms: How To Identify Depression

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disordersdiagnosed with major depressive disorder

Do you:

• Constantly feel tearful, empty, or worthless?
• Have little interest or pleasure in your work, hobbies, friends, family, and other things you once enjoyed?
• Notice dramatic changes up or down in your appetite or your weight not related to dieting?
• Often feel listless or fatigued for no obvious reason?
• Have trouble concentrating or making decisions?
• Find yourself wringing your hands, pacing, or showing other signs of anxious restlessness or the opposite, moving or speaking more slowly than usual?
• Struggle with insomnia or sleep too much?
• Have recurrent thoughts of suicide or death?

To be diagnosed with MDD, one of your symptoms must be a persistent low mood or a loss of interest or pleasure, the DSM-5 states. Your symptoms must also not be due to substance abuse or a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, a brain tumor, or a nutritional deficiency.

Of course, its normal to have any or all of these symptoms temporarily from time to time. The difference with depression is that the symptoms persist and make it difficult to function normally.

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