Depression is a mental illness that affects millions of people around the world. It is often described as a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness, but its consequences go beyond the emotional symptoms. The scars of depression can persist even after the main symptoms have subsided, and understanding these scars is essential to full recovery.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain the twelve most common sequelae that depression can leave, we will talk about whether depression can leave sequelae at the brain level based on current research and we will provide the keys to treat the sequelae after depression.
The aftermath of depression can vary from person to person, but here are 12 common aftermath that can be experienced:
- D.decreased self esteem: Depression can negatively affect the perception of oneself, generating feelings of worthlessness, guilt and low self-esteem and self-confidence.
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Difficulty experiencing positive emotions: after depression, some people may have difficulty experiencing emotions positive, which may result in decreased interest and ability to enjoy activities pleasant.
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities: Depression can lead to a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, known as anhedonia. This sequel can persist even after the depressive symptoms have subsided.
- sleep disturbances: Depression can alter the sleep pattern, causing insomnia or hypersomnia. After depression, some people may continue to experience difficulty falling asleep or maintaining adequate sleep.
- cognitive difficulties:Depression can affect cognition, including problems concentrating, difficulty making decisions, decreased memory, and difficulty solving problems.
- Fatigue and lack of energy: Many people experience fatigue and a general feeling of lack of energy after depression. This can affect your ability to carry out daily activities effectively.
- Changes in appetite: Depression can alter appetite, resulting in a significant decrease or increase in food intake. After depression, some people may continue to deal with changes in their appetite and relationship with food.
- Social isolation: During depression, it is common for people to become socially isolated. However, even after recovery, some people may have difficulty reintegrating socially and may experience social anxiety or fear of rejection.
- Anxiety disorders: Depression and anxiety disorders often co-occur. After depression, some people may develop anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- self-criticism and rumination: Depression can increase levels of self-criticism and rumination, which implies recurring negative thoughts and constant self-criticism. These thought patterns can persist after recovery from depression.
- low motivation: Lack of motivation is a common sequel after depression. People may experience difficulty finding meaning or purpose in daily activities, which can affect their overall productivity and satisfaction.
- Vulnerability to future depressive episodes: After an episode of depression, there is an increased risk of experiencing recurrent episodes in the future. This vulnerability may be due to biological, genetic, environmental and psychological factors, and it is important to take preventative measures and seek appropriate support to reduce this risk.
Scientific research has shown that depression can leave sequelae in the brain Like the memory problems, cognitive difficulties and the vulnerability to future episodes depressive. In this sense, through various neuroimaging techniques, it has been possible to identify structural and functional changes in the brain of people who have experienced depression.
Regarding the structural changes, it has also been observed that depression may be associated with a decreased volume of certain brain regionssuch as the hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex and the tonsil. These areas play a crucial role in emotional regulation, memory and decision making, therefore that its alteration can contribute to the depressive symptoms and to the sequelae that persist after the depression.
On the other hand, evidence has been found of changes in the functional connectivity of the brain in people who have suffered from depression, as well as alterations in related brain networks with emotional regulation, attention, and self-reference in individuals with a history of depression. However, the brain has the ability to adapt and change over time, which means that it is possible to reverse some of these changes and promote recovery.
Remember that not everyone who experiences depression will necessarily experience these changes, and how they develop and relate to individual sequelae may vary. In any case, further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms. and develop more effective treatment approaches to address the brain sequelae of depression.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
