Depression is a mood disorder characterized by continuous sadness and can escalate to a loss of will to live. The type of depression the patient has depends on the number and severity of symptoms; for example, a patient with major depression has at least five symptoms for two or more weeks. This disorder can also result in neurological changes, like problems with concentration, sleeping and mood while the patient is in a depressive phase. The neurological effects in depression can be rectified through treatment, such as medication or therapy.
Concentration Problems
One neurological effect of depression is problems with concentration. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that the patient has "extreme difficulty" concentrating on different tasks. The Mayo Clinic adds that the patient has trouble focusing, which can affect the patient's performance in work or school. The concentration problems can also affect the patient's ability to make decisions. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that issues with concentration can also affect the patient's short term memory, where the patient has trouble remembering details.
Sleeping Problems
Sleeping can also be affected by depression. The NIMH states that one of two different sleep disturbances can occur: insomnia or hypersomnia. With insomnia, the patient has difficulty falling asleep at night and can wake up earlier than normal. Hypersomnia is excessive sleeping, where the patient spends a large majority of the day asleep. These problems with the patient's sleep cycle can result in fatigue and decreased energy.
Changes in Mood
The Mayo Clinic states that with depression, sadness is one of the most prevalent symptoms; the patient may also have crying spells with no apparent reason. The NIH adds that other changes in mood include agitation, restlessness and irritability. Social withdrawal and inactivity are also possible, where the patient no longer participates in activities he once enjoyed and pulls back from people close to him. The NIMH notes that anxiety and "empty" feelings also occur.
