Share:

Symptoms of depression are often mental and emotional, but they are brought on by chemicals affecting the brain. While the complexities of what cause it are not yet known, it can be helpful for people with the condition and their loved ones to understand how and why their body responds as it does. Below is a brief guide to how various parts of the brain are affected.

Hippocampus

The hippocampus handles cortisol production—a hormone released when the body is under stress. Too much cortisol shrinks the area and creates an imbalance that negatively affects your ability to form new memories, control emotions, and learn. As such, people with depression may struggle to build positive memories or make the connection between positive experiences and happy feelings. Some medications balance cortisol production to restore an even temperament. 

Amygdala

depressionHigh levels of cortisol cause the amygdala to enlarge and over-activate. This area of the brain is part of the limbic system, which regulates emotional responses and survival instincts—the body’s fight-or-flight response. The chemical imbalance can cause sleep-related issues and create an overabundance of negative emotions related to depression.

Prefrontal Cortex

This part of the brain also plays a role in controlling emotions, as well as decision-making and memory formation. The prefrontal cortex, like the hippocampus, shrinks when over-exposed to cortisol. A study of this area showed that people with depression spend more time ruminating on themselves in a negatively.

 

While the causes of depression are not fully understood, there are numerous treatment options—from medications to talk therapy—to ensure people cope, recover, and live better lives. Counseling Solutions of Alaska helps patients in Anchorage work through their feelings of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and other personal and mental health challenges. Their compassionate counselors take a personalized approach to find a strategy that’s right for you. Call (907) 644-8044 or send a message online to schedule a confidential appointment today.

tracking