Have you had a bad mood that you cannot shake?
Are you constantly feeling sad and hopeless?
Are you having difficulty sleeping or are you sleeping too much?
Are you always tired?
Have you experienced weight gain or loss?
Are you experiencing restlessness?
Is your sadness stemming from feelings of shame or guilt?
Are you having difficulty concentrating?
Do you have the desire to escape and run away from your problems?
You are not alone. Depression is a common mental illness affecting many people. It can be debilitating and cause serious complications. Sadness can impact the body by increasing fatigue, cause digestive issues, and produce chronic pain. Untreated depression has the capacity of altering the brain, making the episodes worse.
1. DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT CORTISOL AND MEMORY IN THE BRAIN
The hippocampus releases the hormone cortisol. When there are stressors, it floods the hippocampus thereby stunting the growth of neurons. When the hippocampus shrinks in size, there can be memory loss. The problems of memory can show through forgetfulness or bouts of confusion that you may have when in conversation with someone. As a result, studies have shown that there is a tie between short-term memory loss and depression.
2. DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT YOUR EMOTIONAL RESPONSES – THE AMYGDALA
When you are depressed, the amygdala in your brain can be enlarged. When the amygdala is enlarged, it becomes more active. This can lead to deep disturbances, changes in how you handle anxiety, as well as other hormones. It is not uncommon for people who have depression to also experience anxiety. Side effects include:
· Memory problems
· Difficulty thinking clearly
· Guilty feelings or feelings of hopelessness
· No motivation
· Sleep or appetite problems
· Anxiety
As a result of the amygdala being enlarged, you may experience more intensity within the emotions you have. For instance, if you’re remembering a painful memory, then the pain of that experience will be more intense than it would be for someone who isn’t depressed.
3. DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT INFLAMMATION IN YOUR BODY – MEMORY AND MOOD
Studies have shown that there is a link between inflammation and the brain. The more depressed you may be, the more problems you may have with depression. Reduced oxygen is linked to depression in the body. An inadequate amount of oxygen can lead to inflammation within the brain. The death of brain cells has an impact on memory and mood. It can also speed up aging within the brain.
THE TIE
The correlation between depression and how it affects the brain is yin and yang. This connection between depression and how it affects the brain can be deep and widespread. Unfortunately, it can worsen over time. But there is hope. Studies show that brain circuitry is affected by joy, healthy pleasures, and positive emotions. What do you enjoy doing? Doing things we like focusing on things we can control, helping someone, enjoying a good meal, or taking a walk are ways to activate brain circuitry and reverse depression. Depression, when treated, can be life-changing and you can experience better health in your physical body.
Perhaps you have been sad for so long you do not remember what brings your joy. You want to get better but do not know-how. Working with a counselor can help you rediscover what makes you happy and what brings you joy. While you may no remember what made you happy, through counseling, you can discover yourself again.
You will not be alone in your healing journey. It is a journey that I will walk along with you. With counseling and support, you will find joy again.
Call 443-860-6870 for your no-cost initial consultation today.
