But depression can manifest as changes in memory, a serious but lesser-known symptom that deserves some attention.
The association between depression and negative memories sounds intuitive, albeit a little abstract.
But its not just a pessimistic attitude that keeps people with depression feeling poorly.
The connection between depression and memory fog
When someones dealing with depression, their memories become vaguer.
Psychologists call this over general autobiographical memory phenomenon.
Dr. Dillon believes that stress is primarily to blame.
Daniel Dillon, MD, is an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
The hippocampus, he explains, is home to tons of glucocorticoid receptors, which accept stress hormones.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
PsychologistJennifer Sanderson, PsyD, gives the example of having a work supervisor plan an unexpected meeting.
Theyll remember every mistake and disagreement but forget any successes.
If the meeting goes well, a depressed person likely wont remember it.
But if it ends up going poorly, they wont forget it, Sanderson says.
Dr. Dillons research points to a few reasons why this happens.
Each day we form thousands of short-term memories, but only a few are stored long-term.
Dopamine tells your brain, hey, something important could have happened here.
Daniel Dillon, MD, is an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
We should build a strong memory for this, Dr. Dillon says.
On the other hand, depression actually trains the brain to get better at storing and recalling negative memories.
In depressed people, this effect is weak or nonexistent.
But Dr. Dillon thinks depression may also allow the brain to create stronger negative memories in the first place.
Chronic stress, a known cause of depression, sensitizes the amygdala, whichDr.
Antidepressants can do the same.
In 2013,researchers at Columbia Universityperformed autopsies on 42 people.
Then, when negative thoughts strike, that list can provide counterevidence.
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