Unattended Mental Health Issues Linked to Brain Injury

Unattended Depression Leading to Brain Injuries

Depression, a common and serious mental health disorder, affects millions of people worldwide. It's more than just feeling sad or down; it can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms.

Untreated depression can lead to physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, cramps, and constipation. These symptoms are not merely psychological but have a physical basis in the body.

The brain, too, undergoes significant changes in those suffering from depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can cause changes to the brain's communication with the nervous system and physical parts of the brain. One such area affected is the frontal lobe, which regulates mood, motivation, cognitive abilities, emotional bias, and apathy. Changes in this region may exacerbate the symptoms of MDD.

The parietal lobe, which plays a role in several areas of thinking and emotions, may grow in size when you have depression, potentially worsening symptoms of MDD. Similarly, the thalamus, which controls several types of sensory information, may change shape and decrease in size with MDD present, impacting your ability to regulate emotions.

The striatum, a part of the brain that plays a role in thinking, finding motivation, and controlling mood, may be affected by depression. A decreased striatum may contribute to suicidal thoughts and actions in people with MDD.

Chemical changes and changes to neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, are associated with MDD. The hippocampus, a structure in the brain that plays a role in memory and learning, may also be affected by depression.

Regions of the brain particularly affected by depression include the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. Depression can cause structural changes such as shrinkage in these areas and disrupt their function, affecting emotion processing and regulation.

Stress and anxiety associated with MDD can cause changes to neurotransmission, impacting thinking and emotional responses. Depression may also cause the release of glucocorticoid in the brain, a type of steroid that can damage the hippocampus and other areas of the central nervous system.

While more research is needed to fully understand the physical effects of depression on the brain, it's clear that the disorder has significant impacts. However, it's important to note that most changes and damage to the brain caused by untreated depression are not believed to be permanent.

Treatment plans for depression often involve a combination of therapy, medication, and self-care and lifestyle changes. Effective treatment of depression can lead to an improvement in symptoms and a return of the brain to typical function and structure.

Seeking treatment with a mental health professional or physician is an excellent first step in addressing depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Depression affects roughly 1 in 15 adults per year and about 1 in 6 people at least once in their lifetime. It's a common condition, and there is help available.