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Sep 5, 2023 · However, research shows that repression can seriously impact your psychological and physical health in the long term. Repressed emotions may resurface unexpectedly, contributing to mood disorders, anxiety, and physical health issues.
Nov 8, 2024 · Some evidence shows that it can have a positive effect on your overall well-being, while other studies find that too much repression can lead to heightened stress and anxiety.
- Sherri Gordon
Dec 16, 2023 · Repression is like our brain’s “forget button” for uncomfortable or painful memories and feelings. Imagine something bad happens, and instead of thinking about it all the time, your brain hides it away so you can move on. It’s a way to protect ourselves from hurtful thoughts.
- Overview
- What is depression?
- Effects of depression on the central nervous system
- Effects of depression on the digestive system
- Effects of depression on the cardiovascular and immune systems
- Depression in children and teens
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
Depression is technically a mental disorder but also affects your physical health. It may impact everything from your heart, kidney, nervous system, and immune system health.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. At least 6% of U.S. adults had a major depressive episode annually in 2020.
Feeling sad or anxious at times is a normal part of life. But if these feelings last more than a few weeks, they could be symptoms of depression.
Clinical depression, especially left untreated, can interrupt your day-to-day life and cause a ripple effect of additional symptoms.
Major depression (a more advanced form of depression) is considered a serious medical condition that may dramatically affect your quality of life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DMS-5) says that to qualify for a diagnosis of major depression, a person has to experience at least five symptoms for longer than two weeks.
Depression can cause a lot of symptoms within the central nervous system, many of which are easy to dismiss or ignore.
Older adults may also have difficulty identifying cognitive changes because it’s easy to dismiss the signs of depression as related to “getting older.”
According to the American Psychological Association, older adults with depression have more difficulties with memory loss and reaction time during everyday activities compared with younger adults with depression.
Symptoms of depression include overwhelming sadness, grief, and a sense of guilt. It may be described as a feeling of emptiness or hopelessness. Some people may find it difficult to put these feelings into words.
It may also be difficult for them to understand as symptoms can manifest and cause physical reactions. Frequent episodes of crying may be a symptom of depression, although not everyone cries if they’re depressed.
You may also feel tired all the time or have trouble sleeping at night. Other symptoms include:
While depression is often thought of as a mental health condition, it also plays a heavy role in appetite and nutrition. Some people cope by overeating or bingeing. This can lead to weight gain and obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
You may even lose your appetite entirely or fail to eat the right amount of nutritious food. A sudden loss of interest in eating in older adults can lead to a condition called geriatric anorexia.
Eating problems can lead to symptoms that include:
•stomachaches
•cramps
•constipation
Depression and stress are closely related. Stress hormones speed heart rate and make blood vessels tighten, putting your body in a prolonged state of emergency. Over time, this can lead to heart disease.
Recurrence of cardiovascular problems is linked more closely to depression than to other conditions like:
•smoking
•diabetes
•high blood pressure
•high cholesterol
Depression may be more difficult to detect in children who can’t articulate their symptoms.
You may want to look out for behaviors that include persistent clinginess, worry, and unwillingness to attend school without improvement over time. Children may also be excessively irritable and negative.
In addition, teens are particularly susceptible to depression.
About 4.1 million adolescents ages 12-17 in the U.S. had at least one episode of depression in 2020, which is about 17%. It’s more common in adolescent females and adolescents who self-identified as belonging to two or more races.
Symptoms of depression in teens may include:
•unusually poor grades
Does depression cause permanent brain damage?
Scans of the brain of people living with depression show significant changes in areas of the brain like the frontal lobe, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and amygdala.
Is depression a chemical imbalance?
A chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin, can play a role in depression, but the causes of the condition are often more complex. Other factors that play a role are: •genetic history of depression •hormones •substance use disorders (SUD) •other medical conditions •environmental factors like trauma Learn more about the causes of depression.
Depression is a mental health disorder that can also have an impact on your physical health. It may affect your cardiovascular and digestive systems and your immune system.
In addition, it can significantly negatively impact your quality of life. If you or someone you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, know that help is available.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Oct 4, 2023 · Repression is a defense mechanism that causes a person to not acknowledge or consciously feel emotions. Psychoanalysts believe that repressed emotions can affect behavior and mental health.
Repression can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Physically, it can manifest as chronic pain, weakened immune function, and cardiovascular problems. Repressed emotions may also contribute to increased stress levels and emotional instability.
People also ask
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What is repression in psychology?
Feb 18, 2024 · Repressing emotions can lead to a host of mental health issues. When individuals consistently avoid or deny their emotions, it can result in heightened anxiety, chronic stress, and ultimately contribute to the development of depression.
