Depression can impact how you think, feel, and act. But how extensive are its cognitive effects? For example, can depression cause memory loss?
The Valor Behavioral Health team is committed to providing personalized depression treatment in an atmosphere of safety, compassion, and respect. For additional details or to schedule a free assessment, contact us today.
Learn more about depression treatment in Atlanta or verify your insurance now.
Understanding Depression
The question, “can depression cause memory loss?” implies that depression is a single condition. This interpretation is not accurate.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes entries for several depressive disorders. The various types of depression are differentiated primarily by when symptoms occur and how long they last.
Types
Depressive disorders in the DSM-5 include:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD): Symptoms are present every day or almost every day for a period of at least two consecutive weeks.
- Persistent depressive disorder: Symptoms occur on and off for a period of at least two years. During this time there may be weeks without symptoms and there could be episodes of major depressive disorder.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Symptoms only occur during a specific time of the year. SAD is most common during the winter, but some people with this condition develop symptoms during warmer, sunnier months. In the DSM-5, SAD is referred to as major depressive disorder with seasonal onset.
- Postpartum depression (PPD): Symptoms occur while a person is pregnant or shortly after they give birth. The DSM-5 refers to PPD as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.
Symptoms
Sadness is perhaps the most widely understood characteristic of depressive disorders, but it is by no means the only symptom that people experience.
The impact of MDD and other types of depression can include physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms.
Common symptoms of depressive disorders include:
- Persistent deep sadness or low mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
- Appetite change and significant unintentional weight gain or loss
- Abnormal sleep, which may include insomnia or hypersomnia
- Restlessness or delayed physical reactions
- Fatigue, exhaustion, and/or low energy
- Pervasive of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death, which may include suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.
People who develop postpartum depression may also experience:
- Inability to bond with their child
- Belief that they are a bad parent
- Fear that they may harm or kill their child
Can Depression Cause Memory Loss?
The cognitive effects of depression include disrupted focus, difficulty paying attention, and indecisiveness. Can depression also cause memory loss?
Yes, forgetfulness and short-term memory loss can be symptoms of all depressive disorders.
In March 2019, an article in the journal Trends in Neurosciences addressed the link between depression and memory disruption.
That article noted that depression-related memory loss may be due to:
- Suppressed generation of new neural cells in the hippocampus
- Stress-induced dopamine dysfunction
- Abnormal activity within the amygdala
Other Effects of Depression
To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression, a person’s symptoms must be so severe that they disrupt their ability to function in school, at work, or in social situations.
In other words, the effects of depression aren’t limited to sadness, low energy, memory problems, and the other symptoms listed above.
The potential impact of untreated depression can include:
- Conflicts with friends and family members
- Strained or ruined relationships
- Poor performance in school or at work
- Difficulty finding and keeping a job
- Financial difficulties
- Physical health problems due to poor self-care
- Onset or worsening of other mental health concerns
- Substance use and addiction
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Diminished hope for the future
How Is Depression Treated?
Effective treatment for depression can vary considerably from one individual to the next.
Factors that can influence which services should be included in a person’s treatment plan include:
- The patient’s age and gender
- Their treatment history
- Which type of depression they have
- The type, severity, and duration of their depression symptoms
- How these symptoms have disrupted their life
- If they have any co-occurring mental health concerns
- If they have been using substances or developed an addiction
Based on these and other relevant pieces of information, a person’s care may involve a variety of prescription medications, therapies, and support services.
Medication for Depression
Medications that have proved to be effective at helping people with depression include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Atypical antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Mood stabilizers
- Anti-anxiety medications
Therapies for Depression
Therapies that can be beneficial elements of a comprehensive depression treatment plan include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Holistic therapies
- Trauma therapy
- Somatic therapy
No medication, type of therapy, or course of treatment is perfect for everyone who has depression. This is why it is so important to choose a provider who will take the time to thoroughly review your unique circumstances, then develop a customized plan that aligns with your specific needs, goals, and preferences.
Find Depression Treatment in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by depressive disorders, other mental health concerns, and co-occurring addictions.
Treatment options at our center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), evening IOP, virtual (online) IOP, and outpatient program (OP).
Call 866-859-3442 today to learn more, or verify your insurance now.
