Depression And The Brain

Researchers have cited that depression and the brain have a close involvement and there are certain neurotransmitters which regulate our mood and if they run low, people can become depressed, anxious and stressed. Some people who are genetically predisposed to depression may be at a greater risk to have an imbalance of neurotransmitter activity. 

Doctors also cite that depression and the brain has an intimate relationship and  

the medications doctors use will key on trying to improve the balance of neurotransmitter activity.   

The world in which we live is very problematic and complex which has caused depression to rise worldwide.  Depression is a form of disease that needs proper diagnosis. In the medical world, several psycho geriatric depression rating scales are being made as basis to asses the extent of depression. Some of these are the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Cornell Depression Scale. The Cornell depression Scale is a valid and specific screening tool to assess depression.  With the help of this scale, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists today find it easier to determine if patients are undergoing severe depression. The scale creates an easy understanding of the patient’s state thus giving psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors’ clues on the needed treatment. 

Depression can be mild, severe or chronic and can strike young and adults alike, but it’s true that elderly people suffer more from depression and the rate of depression in elderly is very high.  This is because with age their ailments increase and this effects their overall well being including brain functioning resulting in possible depression creeping in down the line.   

Depression in elderly is on the rise because of erratic work schedule and the hectic life of the modern world.  Elderly people feel lonelier with their children busy with work and finding less time for them.  In addition, some elderly feel that in the later stages of retired life that they have nothing much to do.  Their support system begins to fall apart, especially when close family members and friends die.  These life changes can rob them of the enjoyment they once had for life. 

Depression in elderly becomes so severe that it ultimately paves the road for an extreme step like suicide. To summarize, the factors of depression in elderly include: 

•         Traumatic life events,  

•         Lack of a solid social support network.  

•         Many long-term elderly illnesses like Heart disease, Stroke, Cancer,  

          Chronic lung disease, Alzheimer's disease and several others.  

•         With age as other parts of body begins to fail and suffer, the brain too   

          become weak, neurotransmitters runs low triggering depression. 

There is always a close proximity that exists between depression and the brain.  For this reason, one should take steps to keep the brain active and at the same time remove stress from their daily lives.