Want to know what depression does to the brain? Let me tell you…
To make sure you understand that depression isn’t just a little sadness or a little serotonin or whatever… check out this research.
This research was conducted on healthy young adults. They analyzed brain signals and how the brain deals with the concept of “expected pleasure” or the feeling of accomplishment and enjoyment when we win something, and how this transforms in depression into a symptom called anhedonia. They discovered that people with characteristics similar to depression (even if they aren’t actually depressed) have brains that react much weaker to reward, pleasure, or things that make them happy. It’s as if the part of the brain that says “This is good… enjoy!” is quieter or less active.
So, when they win or something good happens to them, their brains don’t release the same signals that make them feel pleasure or satisfaction like other people do. This explains why a depressed person doesn’t feel joy even when doing things they used to enjoy, because their brain’s reward system isn’t functioning efficiently.
This research confirms that depression isn’t just “sadness,” but a disruption in the brain’s reward response. This is what makes the patient feel a lack of passion and energy, or, to put it more medically, a state of anhedonia, even when trying to do things that should bring them joy.
🧠💬 This means that treatment shouldn’t just focus on reducing sadness or negative thoughts, but also on resetting the brain’s cognitive and biological systems, whether through medication or behavioral therapy, so the person can regain their ability to experience enjoyment.
