Alcohol Use, Abuse and Depression: Is There a Connection?

Alcohol is a depressant: It alters the systems of nerves and affects delicate balance of chemicals in your brain and body that help to control our mood, so cutting back or stopping drinking can help to improve mood.  Heavy alcohol consumption alters the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Drinking can heighten the symptoms of depression, which can have life-threatening implications. This is because alcohol impacts the same areas of the brain that help regulate mood. Drinking can alter the brain's chemical levels, which can trigger the symptoms of a mental health illness, such as depression.

Alcohol abuse can cause signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and antisocial behaviour, both during intoxication and during withdrawal. At times, these symptoms and signs cluster, last for weeks, and mimic frank psychiatric disorders

Drinking will only make depression worse. People who are depressed and drink too much have more frequent and severe episodes of depression, and are more likely to think about suicide. Heavy alcohol use also can make antidepressants less effective.

Anxiety, frustration, feeling hopeless, fatigue, and a loss of interest in things once enjoyed. Symptoms of a depressive episode are more extreme than normal periods of low mood and may include: feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless.

Depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Does the brain heal after depression?

Image
The term "depression" refers to a mood disorder. It might be characterised as melancholy, grief, or rage that interferes with daily tasks. Also, it's very typical. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information According to Trusted Source, 18.5% of American adults in any given 2-week period in 2019 experienced depressive symptoms . Despite the similarities between depression and grief, sadness or grief experienced after a tragic incident or the loss of a loved one are not the same as depression. Grief normally does not involve self-hatred or a loss of self-esteem, although depression frequently does. Positive feelings and joyful recollections of the deceased frequently go hand in hand with emotional suffering while someone is grieving. Sadness is a persistent feeling in major depressive disorder. A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks and is characterised by a depressed mood (sad, irritated, or empty feelings) or a loss of enjoyment or interest in act
Read more

Does mental health affect physical health?

Image
We often think of our mind and body as separate, but our mental health and physical health are interconnected. Being in a good mental state can keep you healthy and help prevent serious health conditions. A study found that positive psychological well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, poor mental health can lead to poor physical health or harmful behaviours chronic diseases. The associations between mental and physical health are: Poor mental health is a risk factor for chronic physical conditions. People with serious mental health conditions are at high risk of experiencing chronic physical conditions. People with chronic physical conditions are at risk of developing poor mental health. As well as this, mental health problems can come with physical symptoms. Our bodies and minds are not separate, so it's not surprising that mental ill health can affect your body. Depression can come with headaches, fatigue and digestive problems, and
Read more

Can psychedelic drugs treat depression? Is it safe to use???

Image
  The term "depression" refers to a mood disorder . It might be characterised as melancholy, grief, or rage that interferes with daily tasks. Also, it's very typical. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information According to Trusted Source, 18.5% of American adults in any given 2-week period in 2019 experienced depressive symptoms. Despite the similarities between depression and grief, sadness or grief experienced after a tragic incident or the loss of a loved one are not the same as depression. Grief normally does not involve self-hatred or a loss of self-esteem, although depression frequently does. Positive feelings and joyful recollections of the deceased frequently go hand in hand with emotional suffering while someone is grieving. Sadness is a persistent feeling in major depressive disorder. Studies are finding psychedelic therapy could reverse debilitating effects of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Psych
Read more