Have you ever been told to just “snap out of it”? Keep reading to discover how depression is a physical illness and turn the traditional understanding of it.
For years, depression was believed to be a condition caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. However, new research challenges this long-held assumption and suggests that the root cause of depression is actually physical, stemming from an overactive immune system and resulting inflammation.
In this article, we’ll explore the evidence that links depression and physical illness of inflammation and how this groundbreaking discovery could change the way we approach and treat the condition.
Did You Know That Depression Is A Physical Illness Caused By Inflammation?
New research challenges the long-held belief that depression is primarily caused by imbalances in brain chemistry, suggesting instead that inflammation caused by an overactive immune system may be responsible for feelings of despair, distress, and hopelessness.
This physical origin of depression has led some experts to propose a new field called “immuno-neurology.”
Related: A Wholistic Guide to Natural Treatments for Depression and Anxiety
Professor Ed Bullmore of the University of Cambridge notes that there is a strong association between brain inflammation and depression, and that if a healthy individual is treated with an inflammatory drug like interferon, a substantial percentage will become depressed.
Evidence of the link between inflammation and depression is mounting, with studies showing that people with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are four times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population.
So, it’s true when one says that they can get physically sick from depression. And it’s more than a feeling.
The belief that depression is caused by an overactive immune system is also supported by the fact that depression serves a purpose: to encourage individuals to withdraw, rest, and recover during illness or injury in order to prevent contagion from spreading to others.
Related: Depression Is More Than ‘Just Being Sad’
Scientists had previously believed that there was a distinct separation in function between the brain and immune system, but mounting evidence of their inextricable connection has forced them to relegate this idea to the dustbin.
Dr. Alan Carson of the University of Edinburgh argues that this institutional separation of brain disorders into psychiatric and neurological categories is outmoded and holds back scientific and clinical progress.
The new research into the link between inflammation and depression does not preclude other causes of depression or current treatment models, but it does suggest that anti-inflammatory medication may be a promising avenue for future research and treatment.
The hope is that more meticulous research will be conducted in order to use this information to treat depression more effectively.
Related: Today, I Need To Talk About My Depression
Now that you know that depression is an illness not a choice! Make sure to be kind and compassionate to the people around you, you never know what they’re going through!
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