Major depression is a common and sometimes fatal disorder that has been identified by the World Health Organisation as a leading cause of disability worldwide. While antidepressants are undoubtedly effective treatments in about 70% of cases, a substantial proportion of patients remain partially or totally unresponsive to treatment. There is no simple explanation for treatment resistance but there is a possibility that the current antidepressants do not effectively target all of the pathological processes that are responsible for the major symptoms of depression. Thus there is an urgent need to broaden the targets upon which antidepressants are considered to act.
The concept of a disordered immune system playing a major role in the mental state can be traced back to antiquity. However, it is only in the past 30 years or so that clinical and experimental evidence has been obtained clearly demonstrating that aspects of both cellular and humoral immunity were dysfunctional in major depression. In the past 20 years, attention has been directed to the role of the immunomodulators and immunotransmitters, in particular the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, Maes and coworkers reported that interleukin-6 (IL-6), a major proinflammatory cytokine, was increased in the blood of depressed patients.
It was also apparent that about 45% of patients being therapeutically treated with the proinflammatory cytokine interferon-alpha (IFN) developed major symptoms of depression that terminate when the cytokines was withdrawn. Recently a meta-analysis of 9 cytokines in major depression in which 24 studies were assessed concluded that only the basal levels of IL-6 and TNF were significantly raised. Such clinical observations suggest that proinflammatory cytokines contribute to the major symptoms of depression and now forms the basis of the inflammation, cytokine or inflammatory response hypothesis of depression.
When considering cause and effect, there are three possibilities that may explain the tie between depression and immune system:-
- Depression may weaken the immune system and cause increased susceptibility to illness.
- Major or long term illnesses may cause mood disorders such as depression.
- In some cases, illnesses or conditions may be caused by the same triggers as depression.
New research published has taken an exciting new approach, offering hope for those who currently don’t have effective treatments. It’s part of a growing evidence base that shows our immune system can directly affect our mood – and for some may even be a cause of their depression, rather than a consequence of it. Essentially, we are learning that our immune system can alter the workings of the brain. With around one-third of depressed patients showing consistently high levels of inflammation.
It comes down to the inflammation that is part of the immune’s system response to danger. It is a hugely complicated process that helps our body fight off hostile forces. But if the inflammation gets out of hand then it can cause damage to our body and brain.
Treating Depression and improving Health:-
- Get in a Routine:- If you are depressed, you are really in need to get in a routine. A routine will help to stay busy and keeping away the negative thoughts.
- Set goals:- When you’re depressed, you may feel like you can’t accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.
- Exercise:- It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression.
- Eat Healthy:- There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It’s a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.
- Get Enough Sleep:- Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye and too little sleep can make depression worse.
These are the five things one need to give priority to, during depression. Other things a person could do to feel good is engaging in fun activities. They would do really good to the person who is depressed. Next thing we could do is to consult a psychologist.
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