WHAT DOES SADNESS/ WORST CASE - EVEN DEPRESSION LOOK LIKE IN THE BRAIN?
Feelings of sadness or anxiety might be linked to increased 'chitchat' between two areas of the brain. When a person is feeling down, the electrical communication between two brain cells in two specific regions of the brain, involved in memory and emotion increases. It's unclear if this increased brain communication is a cause or an effect of bad mood.
There are three parts of the brain that appear to play a role in depression - the hippocampus, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus stores memories and regulates the production of a hormone called cortisol. The body releases cortisol during times of physical and mental stress, including during times of depression. In people with depression, the long - term exposure to increased cortisol levels can slow the production of new neurons and cause the neurons in the hippocampus to shrink. This can lead to memory problems.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for regulating emotions, making decisions and forming memories. When the body produces excess amount of cortisol, the prefrontal cortex also appears to shrink.
The amygdala is the part of the brain that facilitates emotional responses, like pleasure and fear. An enlarged and hyperactive amygdala, due to exposure to increased levels of cortisol, can result in disturbances in sleep and activity patterns. It can even lead to other complications, by causing the body to release more hormones/chemicals.
If you know someone who's depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn't a straightforward response to a bad situation, depression is just like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness and loneliness they're going through. BE THERE FOR THEM when they come through the other side. It's hard to be a friend to someone who's depressed, but it's one of the kindest, noblest and best things you can do !!
There are three parts of the brain that appear to play a role in depression - the hippocampus, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus stores memories and regulates the production of a hormone called cortisol. The body releases cortisol during times of physical and mental stress, including during times of depression. In people with depression, the long - term exposure to increased cortisol levels can slow the production of new neurons and cause the neurons in the hippocampus to shrink. This can lead to memory problems.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for regulating emotions, making decisions and forming memories. When the body produces excess amount of cortisol, the prefrontal cortex also appears to shrink.
The amygdala is the part of the brain that facilitates emotional responses, like pleasure and fear. An enlarged and hyperactive amygdala, due to exposure to increased levels of cortisol, can result in disturbances in sleep and activity patterns. It can even lead to other complications, by causing the body to release more hormones/chemicals.
If you know someone who's depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn't a straightforward response to a bad situation, depression is just like the weather. Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness and loneliness they're going through. BE THERE FOR THEM when they come through the other side. It's hard to be a friend to someone who's depressed, but it's one of the kindest, noblest and best things you can do !!
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