Download

Depressive symptoms

The impact of depressive symptoms on brain health.

Share this article

Depressive symptoms not only affect how you feel, but also how your brain functions. Sadness, loss of pleasure, and reduced energy can significantly impact daily life. Less well-known is that prolonged depressive symptoms are also associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

That is why depressive symptoms are included as an important factor in the LIBRA score for brain health.

What do we mean by depressive symptoms?

Depressive symptoms can take various forms. It’s not just about an official diagnosis, but also about prolonged symptoms such as:

persistent sadness or feeling empty
reduced interest or pleasure in things you previously enjoyed
fatigue or low energy
sleep problems
concentration problems or slow thinking
feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worrying

These symptoms can be mild or more severe, temporary or long-lasting. Especially if they persist for a long time, they affect brain health.

Why are depressive symptoms detrimental to your brain?

Increased Stress Load
Depressive symptoms are often accompanied by increased stress levels. The body then produces more stress hormones over an extended period. These hormones can eventually cause damage to brain areas that are important for memory and learning.

Changes in Brain Structure and Function
Long-term depression is associated with changes in brain areas involved in emotion, motivation, and memory. This can make the brain more vulnerable to further decline.

Impact on Lifestyle
Feeling down makes it more challenging to take good care of oneself. People often exercise less, eat unhealthier, sleep worse, and maintain fewer social contacts. These factors reinforce each other and together have a negative effect on brain health.

Overlap with Early Cognitive Complaints
Sometimes depressive symptoms resemble early signs of cognitive decline. Conversely, emerging cognitive changes can also cause feelings of sadness. This makes it especially important to take complaints seriously and have them properly assessed.

Common Misunderstandings

“Sadness is just part of getting older”
Sadness occurs more often with age, but it is not a normal or inevitable part of aging. It is a signal that deserves attention.

“I just need to get over it”
Depressive symptoms are not a matter of willpower. They are real issues where biological, psychological, and social factors play a role.

“If I don't talk about it, it will go away on its own”
In some people, symptoms disappear, but in many others, they persist longer without support. Discussing them in a timely manner reduces the chance that the symptoms will become entrenched.

“Seeking help means it's really bad”
Seeking help early can actually prevent symptoms from becoming more severe. It is a sign of taking care of yourself, not a failure.

“One glass a day is good for your brain”
Recent studies show that there is no convincing evidence that alcohol has a protective effect on brain health. Drinking less is always more beneficial.

“I only drink on the weekend, so it's not too bad”
Drinking a lot in a short period stresses the brain and blood vessels, even if it doesn't happen daily.

“Alcohol helps me relax and sleep”
The relaxing effect is temporary. In the long term, alcohol actually worsens sleep and stress regulation.

“Quitting is only necessary for addiction”
Even people without addiction can benefit from reducing consumption. Health gains often start with small steps down.

What can you do yourself?

Keep moving, even when it’s difficult
Physical activity has a proven positive effect on mood. Small steps are sufficient. A short walk each day can already help.

Maintain structure in your day
Fixed times for getting up, eating, and sleeping provide stability. Structure supports the brain, especially when motivation is lacking.

Seek contact, even if you don’t feel like it
Social contact may be challenging at first, but it often works protectively against further withdrawal and loneliness.

Be gentle with yourself
Depressive symptoms consume energy. Don’t expect the same from yourself as during periods when you felt better.

When to seek professional help?

When additional help is beneficial

When to seek professional help?

It is advisable to contact your general practitioner if:

symptoms persist for more than two weeks
you notice that daily activities are no longer manageable
you sleep poorly or hardly eat
you have thoughts of hopelessness or see no future

The general practitioner can work with you to find suitable support, such as discussions, guidance, or possibly medication. Treating depressive complaints not only improves well-being but also supports brain health.

In short

Depressive symptoms affect your brain through stress, changes in functioning, and impact on lifestyle. They are not a sign of weakness, but an important signal. By taking symptoms seriously and seeking support in a timely manner, you not only protect how you feel, but also your brain health in the long term.