depression and brain degeneration

episode 10 yrs ago (1 1/2 yrs in the making, attempted suicide) up/down battle since then. New episode now (7 months into it). Trying to face the reality that my brain just doesn't work like it used to, Used to run multiple departments, multi task & LOVE to work. Now I do clerk work, massive pay losses. Family financial disaster. Next job - wal mart greeter. Is it true? brain degeneration with prolonged recurrent depression?

Lady.. I'm so sorry that things are so rough right now. I firmly believe that people can be restored to a greater position than ever before. For you too!!!

i don't believe that there is brain deterioration. i believe that depression takes such a toll on us that we aren't able to use our brains as fully as we'd like to and need to. i think with proper meds and therapy, we do get better. i don't know how old you are, but i don't multi-task anymore....i blame it on age. xoxoxo pat

Hi, Lady!

I've never seen any research linking depression with brain degeneration. I was diagnosed 15 years ago with major depression recurrent. I've had my ups and downs but only 3 MAJOR depressions in that time (currently trying to come out of one now). I haven't noticed any degeneration; in fact, during my last major episode like 8 years ago, I went to grad school.

Now what I HAVE seen research on and keep hearing on the news lately is that it has been discovered that multi-tasking is not good for a person - it actually makes them less efficient. You mentioned you like multi-tasking (and I've worked with others who do as well), but that's something I really think takes a toll on the body and brain.

I agree with faye that you can recover the type of job you enjoy doing.

I,too, have read research this past year about a link with Alzheimer's and multi-tasking. But they had found "links" for other things too, which now they aren't sure of...

depression does make some tasks more difficult though... changes in brain chemistry.

Sorry to say that there is some imaging evidence showing physical atrophy in several sections of the brain that accompany major, chronic depression. I'm not sure, but I believe the areas include the amygdala and prefrontal cortex among others. I also believe that these changes have been shown to be reversible for the most part.

I know that my multitasking ability is gone, my decision making ability is not nearly as good, and my mental acuity is not as good as it was. I'll hunt around and see if I can come up with the sources for these claims, but I feel pretty good (or bad) about what I've written.

I'll get back soon...
DJ

Here are a couple of links to support my last post. There are a few zillion others, but these have pretty pictures.

http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/...08_cr_dep.html

http://www.psycheducation.org/mechanism/6atrophy.htm

DJ

Oh, Lady W, that man with the crazed look in his eye that runs past you to the fill-out-the-application machine at WalMart...that's me!!!

DJ

Thank you DJ! Love both the links. A wealth of information.

I read a book recently called "Against Depression" by Peter D. Kramer. I found it very informative. He did cite the research that DaveyJones mentioned as well as talking about treatment, recovery, and medication. It might be worth a read.

not good to hear! What's the part that it's reversible?

wow. That sux. I think Depression is very bad for the brain. I think it is also possible that the miriad of drugs we take for it are not likely all that good for it either. I had a very bad reaction, after years, to desipramine that mimiced multiple sclerosis. I still take meds, but have weaned off to the bare minimum. Big pharma has one true goal - $$$. The bottom line is the bottom line. They, like the military, can take an acceptable loss in lives and still accomplish their goals to their share holders. Cynical, but more reasonable than the mythic belief they are angels with their only wish is to bless us. $$$ is the what it is all about.

Be easy on yourself. how old are you? I think we don't all manage to keep up our youth's pace until the end. We slow down and have to find new ways to manage work and lives. It is not so bad if you don't dwell on how it used to be, but try to adjust to doing the best you can with what you have. None of us are getting younger. If we don't learn to be at ease with the changes life brings through the years, we are going to be swimming upstream until exhausted.