Depression affects five cognitive domains of the brain: executive functions, problem solving, memory, learning and concentration. To be exact, it affects the response speed related to these functions. “It’s not that they don’t want to, but their brain simply does not allow them to. They’re literally incapable. Medication is used to ameliorate the functions of the brain, so they can work properly. In the case of depressives, medication will not cause addiction or abuse, because they have lower expectations than ‘normal’ people. These drugs are meant to maintain the patient’s cognitive function. If they are not medicated, their response towards ordinary situations tend to be lower,” he said.
In the same event, dr. Anita Budijanto, Sp.KJ, M.Sc., of the Sultan Agung Islamic University’s Medical Faculty, Semarang, explained that depression can affect anyone, even children and the elderly. However, even though both diseases are characterized by forgetfulness, we need to understand that there is a difference between dementia and depression among the elderly:
“Elders suffering from dementia suffer from severe memory impairment. Even if you ask them outright, or give them hints, they will still be unable to remember. Most of them suffer from impaired shortterm memory, which changes their behavior and emotional stability. It really plays havoc with their daily lives. On the contrary, in cases of depression, even though the elder may have difficulty or delays of concentrating, focusing, or remembering, they can still perform their daily activities. The dosage for anti-depressants for adults may also work for elders, but we usually adjust it,” she said. “Forgetfulness is really related to the memory input and retrieval process. In dementia sufferers, there is simply no more space to hold new memories. On the contrary, depressives suffer from memory input process impairment, among others because they also suffer from anxiety disorder.” (est)