Depressing Effects of Brain Damage
Depression not only has a negative impact on psychological conditions or mental health, but can also damage the sufferer's brain. A number of studies have now found that o
Depression is a mood disorder that makes a person's way of thinking and behavior turn more depressed, not eager to live life, even ideas or attempts to end life or suicide occur.
Symptoms of depression are different from ordinary sadness or sorrow which usually gets better on its own. Without proper treatment, people with depression can experience worsening symptoms and quality of life.
Depression can be experienced by anyone, whether children, adolescents, or adults. There are many factors that can cause depression, such as:
- Experiencing traumatic life events, such as divorce and the death of a family or spouse.
- Being a victim of violence, be it physical, sexual, or bullying
- Addiction to drugs and alcoholic drinks.
- Have a history of other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, personality disorder, and anxiety disorders.
- There are disturbances in brain function, for example in dementia and stroke.
In addition, heredity (having a family with depression) can also be a risk factor for someone more prone to depression.
Some of the above mentioned can cause depression because of its influence in damaging the performance and levels of brain chemicals ( neurotransmitters ) that affect one's mood.
This is the Impact of Depression on the Brain
Depression which is a serious psychiatric problem can disrupt brain function and damage brain tissue. Depression that is not treated properly can cause various problems in the brain:
1. The size of the brain is shrinking
Various studies have shown that depression can make the size of the brain in certain areas shrink. Depreciation depends on how long the depression lasts and the severity of the depression.
In people with depression, this part of the brain that can shrink is:
- Hippocampus
The hippocampus is responsible for storing memory and regulating the production of the hormone cortisol, which is a stress hormone that will be produced more when the body is stressed, both physically and emotionally.
Normally, this hormone will increase in the morning and decrease at night. But in people affected by depression, this hormone will continue to increase in number, both in the morning or at night. - Thalamus
This section is located above the brain stem. Thalamus has a role in processing and conveying information to the nerves of the body and brain that regulate movement and sensory. - Amygdala
This section has a role to control emotions, such as pleasure and fear. The amygdala is also responsible for deciding what memories or memories will be stored, and where they will be stored. - Front brain This is the forebrain which is responsible for controlling cognitive functions, such as emotional expression, memory, language, thought processes, problem solving, and also libido or sexual desire. This part of the brain also functions in forming memories.
Not only the part of the brain that has been mentioned, depression is also thought to have an effect on damage and deterioration in the function of other parts of the brain
2. Limited supply of oxygen to the brain
Some studies show that depression is associated with lack of oxygen levels in the body (hypoxia) which can damage body tissues and cells. Over time, this condition can cause the amount of oxygen in the body's organs to decrease, including in the brain.
Decreased oxygen in the brain in people with depression is thought to be caused by inflammation of the brain and poor blood flow in the brain due to depression.
3. Inflammation of the brain
Depression is also believed to have a relationship with inflammation of the brain. This inflammation can cause brain cells to die and reduce brain performance and function, as well as making blood flow to the brain not smooth. However, this still requires further research.
4. Premature aging of the brain
Long-term depression can cause inflammation, damage brain tissue, and inhibit the brain's ability to repair damaged tissue and brain cells. This can cause the brain to age faster.
Therefore, if left unchecked, depression can increase the risk of dementia or senility.
Because it can cause damage and impaired brain function that is quite severe, people with depression need to immediately get an examination and treatment from a psychiatrist or psychiatrist.
If the treatment is done early, the effects of depression on brain damage can be prevented. But if it is heavy and is allowed to drag on without treatment, brain damage from depression will be difficult to treat.
Label : Health
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