What Happens in the Brain of a Person with Depression? The 4 Main Changes

How does depression affect our brain? Can these changes be reversible? Discover how to deal with them and how it occurs due to the symptoms of depression.

Depression has effects on both our lives and our bodies. In fact, it can affect the way we think, feel and behave, as depression causes changes in our brain. Different studies suggest that depression can lead to chemical imbalances, electrical malfunctions, as well as abnormalities in the size and structure of the brain. All these effects on the brain They are more likely to occur in those people who suffer from more severe and chronic symptoms of depression.

How does depression affect our brain?

Recent studies have shown that the brains of people who have suffered from depression They show signs of shrinkage, inflammation, and malfunctions in the way our neurons and their pathways fire. Even so, research into how depression can affect our brain is in its early stages, so there is still a long way to go to understand the full impact that this disorder can have.

• Shrinkage in the brain: Some studies suggest that the size of specific brain regions may decrease in people experiencing depression. In these cases, research suggests that the parts that may be affected may be: the hippocampus (in charge of memory and learning), the thalamus (the outer layer of the brain), the amygdala (regulator of emotions and memory), prefrontal cortices (control cognitive functions). The contraction of these areas can end up contributing to people feeling less empathy.
• Brain inflammation: On the other hand, research also establishes a link between inflammation and depression. Still, this brain inflammation is related to the amount of time someone has been depressed. This inflammation can end up reducing our neuroplasticity, that is, the brain’s ability to change or learn new things. On the other hand, it can also cause a reduction in the functioning of neurotransmitters, our body’s chemical messengers.
• Differences in structure: When a person suffers from depression, their nervous system is affected. Being altered, this ends up harming the level we have of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine.
• Oxygen restriction: Depression can also end up involving a reduction of oxygen in our body. This reduction can lead to an alteration of our circadian rhythms related to our sleep.

We must take into account that these changes in the brain that cause depression they can be reversed. Even so, to achieve a reversal it is important to have the professional help necessary to treat depression.

How to deal with the changes that depression produces in our brain?

If you suffer from depression, the first step is to seek help from a professional psychologist. In addition, it is important to prioritize an active lifestyle, as well as a healthy and balanced one. Taking this into account, some of the tips that can help us manage to deal with the effects that depression can produce on our brain are the following:

1. Exercise regularly: Physical exercise helps us improve our mood as well as our energy levels, so practicing it regularly will allow us to deal with some of the symptoms of depression.
2. Spend more free time in nature: Natural environments can help us relieve stress, as well as improve our mood and help us feel more awake and alert.
3. Go out with your loved ones: Spending time with people who contribute to you will also allow you to feel better about yourself and your situation. In fact, this can help you balance your brain’s neurochemistry.
4. Mindfulness Meditation: In many cases, people dealing with a depressive disorder tend to focus their thoughts on the past or the future. Mindfulness is a practice that allows us to focus on the present moment. By focusing on the here and now, this increases our mood and allows us to think more positively.
5. Change your way of thinking: People with a depressive disorder tend to think negatively. Therefore, one way to try to deal with depression is precisely by questioning these types of thoughts. This involves reasoning with them and, above all, changing their perspective in certain situations.
6. Reduce exposure to screens: Excessive screen time can end up contributing to bad moods and low energy. So, when faced with a depressive disorder, it is important to limit the use of these devices.

These are some of the strategies you can use to deal with the effects that depression has on your brain Therefore, it is important that you try to deal with them, through these resources and therapy.