Simple Explanation: “Biological and psychological mechanisms” (what’s happening in your brain and body during Depression)
Biological and Psychological Mechanisms of Depression - what does this even mean?
Now bear with me - because it sounds complicated, but I promise I’ll make it easy to understand … so
“Biological mechanisms” essentially means
things happening in your brain and body that affect your mood, like brain chemicals, hormones or how your brain is wired.
and “Psychological Mechanisms” are
how your mind works, how you think about things, handle stress or deal with emotions.
And what the fuck is a “mechanism”? - It’s a fancy word for
the process behind it, how it works.
So, these two are the “how it works” of the body and mind systems that affect how you think, feel and act. One (biological) works in your brain and body, and the other (psychological) in your thoughts and emotions.
So today we’re talking about 3 MECHANISMS (processes) of how depression works:
1. Neurotransmitters
2. Brain changes and
3. Cognitive patterns. Don’t worry - I’ll explain them.
1. Neurotransmitters - brain chemicals that help your brain cells talk to each other.
THERE ARE IMBALANCES IN CERTAIN NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN DEPRESSED PEOPLE.
Neurotransmitters carry messages from one brain cell to another, which is how your brain sends signals for things like mood, movement, and thinking.
Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are usually a bit out of whack in people with depression
- which is why medication can help get them back … into whack? …
and why even though I offically don’t have Major Depressive Disorder anymore
(YAY)
I’m still taking anti-depressant medication called Fluoxetine to help my lil brain messenger people be able to run fast and talk well.
I like to think of them as little postmen with messenger carry bags sending important snail mail to each other.
It’s like my little yellow and green pills each morning give them a V or coffee to help them function.
2. Brain changes - different parts of your brain work together to help control your mood, like a little mood squad.
BRAIN SCANS SHOW DEPRESSED PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENCES IN BRAIN AREAS INVOLVED IN MOOD REGULATION.
Pretty much your mood is controlled by different parts of your brain
- one helps you feel emotions (the amygdala),
one remembers emotional experiences (hippocampus),
one helps you think clearly and stay calm (prefrontal cortex) ,
and another balances things like stress and sleep (hypothalamus).
- all of these physical lumpy parts of your brain work together to affect how you feel.
SO, NO IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT YOUR BRAIN HAS ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY FUCKING CHANGED AND MADE THESE PARTS DIFFERENT TO NON-DEPRESSED PEOPLE WHICH IS WHY YOU FEEL THIS WAY -
BUT there are ways to CHANGE THEM BACK again, like medication and therapy and different treatments.
and lastly because this blog post has gotten too long
(But hopefully not too complicated?? let me know, would love feedback)
and my coffee is almost out at the cafe and the sun is almost up -
let’s chat about …
3. Cognitive Patterns - The way your brain talks to you and explains what’s going on.
NEGATIVE THINKING STYLES LIKE CATASTROPHIZING AND BLACK-AND-WHITE-THINKING ARE MORE COMMON IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.
Cognitive patterns are basically the usual ways you think about yourself, other people, and the world.
They include your automatic thoughts, beliefs and how you make sense of things happening around you.
Some patterns are helpful, but other (like negative self-talk) can make you feel worse or stuck.
If your thoughts are mainly negative, they can affect your mood and how you feel about life.
Okay that’s all from me today. I’m going to try put my big girl pants on and promote this place online - tiktok here I come. EEP. Then IG. I feel like I can be weird-er on Tiktok so it’s easier to talk … anyway, as always ….
I’m really proud of you for staying alive,
talk again soon,
lots of love,
bren
xx
