Depression
| Over the course of a lifetime, one in five women and one in nine men will have depression symptoms. Typical symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, withdrawal from social activity, changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns, and suicidal thoughts. If you have these symptoms, get medical help. Depression is treatable.
These symptoms are thought to occur due to actual physical changes that occur in the brain including shrinking of the part of the brain that is key to memory (the hippocampus) and concentration. Depression also appears to trigger the output of a stress hormone (cortisol) that can damage the pathways connecting neurons. These changes are thought to occur largely due to our faulty thinking (and excessive stress or loss). It is also thought that by adjusting our thoughts through talk therapy (using cognitive therapy and problem solving therapy) the brains begin to function better and people feel better again.
Depression is also treatable with certain medications (antidepressants) that help repair neuron pathways to help people feel better again. A combination of talk therapy and medication is usually more effective than one treatment alone.
Other important therapeutic options (and good preventive actions) include a healthy lifestyle:
- Nutritious meals – low in refined foods, high in unrefined foods; healthy fats such as omega-3 fats (found in fish oils and flax meal); and highly colored fruits and vegetables that are high in naturally occurring antioxidants and photochemicals that help promote brain health (such as berries, citrus, and spinach).
- Regular exercise – brisk walking 30+ minutes daily.
- Mentally stimulating activities – reading, problem solving, playing a musical instrument, and other activities requiring mental concentration.
- An active social life – interacting with friends, dancing, playing games, and staying engaged with people.
These are all positive actions you can take daily to keep the brain healthy and working well to help prevent depression and early mental dementia.
Resource: Duke Medicine. HealthNews, June 2009
Links:
Take the Depression Self Test to see if you or a friend is suffering from depression.
Take the Stress Self Test to see if you are overwhelmed with stress in your life.
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