Even though depression is common in adults, many aspects of it are still poorly or never fully understood. Numerous symptoms of depression can include cognitive changes that are frequently referred to as “brain fog.” Read this article and you can learn more about brain fog depression.

What Is Brain Fog

The term “brain fog” is frequently used to describe a variety of cognitive symptoms connected to depression. Pseudodementia and false dementia are some other names for it.

Many cognitive symptoms, most of which affect memory, processing speed, attention, and executive functioning, have been linked by experts to depression.

According to a study published in CNS Spectrums, people with major depressive disorder (MDD) reported having cognitive symptoms, the majority of which involved difficulty with:

• remembering information and recalling words
• making decisions and prioritizing tasks
• handling periods of divided attention
• maintaining clear thought and focus
• thinking or responding quickly
• learning new skills or information

Depression may also increase a person’s propensity to see the negative side of things and to concentrate on negative information, which can lead to low self-esteem, frustration, and a pessimistic outlook.

Though many people do, not everyone with depression will experience cognitive symptoms. Not every person who does have brain fog will have the same constellation of symptoms, nor will they all have them to the same degree or extent.

According to some estimates, cognitive symptoms are more common in MDD patients during depressive episodes (85–94%) than they are during remission (39–44%).

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists cognitive issues, particularly difficulty thinking, making decisions, and concentrating, as characteristics of depression.

The quality of life and ability to function of a person can be significantly diminished depending on how severe the symptoms of brain fog are. Additionally, because the symptoms of brain fog and depression frequently coincide, they are frequently disregarded and left untreated.

However, over the past ten years, scientists and medical professionals have begun to pay more attention to depression’s relationship to cognitive dysfunction and how to effectively treat it.

Symptoms

• Trouble sleeping, insomnia
• Headaches
• Low energy or fatigue
• Impaired cognitive function
• Mood swings
• Irritable
• Forgetfulness
• Trouble concentrating
• Low motivation, lack of ideas
• Excessive absences
• Mildly depress

Causes Of Chronic Brain Fog

The perception and experience of mental fatigue connected to cognitive impairment are known informally as “brain fog.” Uncertainty, slow thinking, difficulty concentrating, confusion, a lack of concentration, forgetfulness, or a cloudy mental state are some common symptoms of brain fog, which is not fully understood.

Brain fog is a term that’s frequently used to describe a variety of symptoms, such as difficulty with:

• Learning new skills.
• remembering words and information.
• multitasking periods to manage.
• swift decision-making and action
• maintaining mental clarity while concentrating
• on observing conversations and paying attention.

While feeling hazy for more than a few days (or months, in the case of pregnancy) may be a sign of a serious medical condition, it is common to feel hazy when you are sleep-deprived, taking certain medications, jet-lagged, or pregnant.

It is still unclear what causes brain fog, which is a very complex phenomenon. Although the medical community is still investigating the possible causes of brain fog, it has been linked to increased inflammatory markers and the presence of numerous autoantibodies.

Immune dysregulation, systemic inflammation, multiorgan dysfunction, excruciating fatigue, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and other conditions can result from overactive immune responses brought on by viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and immunotherapies.

Other Causes Of Brain Fog

In addition to depression, other medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and stress can also contribute to or worsen brain fog. Other typical reasons include:

• certain medications, including SSRI medications
• some lifestyle factors
• lack of sleep and fatigue

How Does Depression Cause Brain Fog

Researchers are still figuring out how depression affects cognition and to what degree.

In the end, it appears that depression is caused by a dysregulation of neural networks in significant brain regions, such as the:

• hippocampus
• prefrontal cortex
• amygdala
• anterior cingulate cortex
• basal ganglia

The brain’s gray matter volume and white matter connectivity appear to be decreased by depressive-related neural disruptions, which either cause or exacerbate cognitive symptoms.

The nervous system’s gray matter is a crucial component that affects both sensory perception and muscle control. Gray matter connects and links with white matter.

How To Reduce Brain Fog

Despite the fact that many of the current treatments enhance cognitive abilities and make symptoms easier to manage, chronic brain fog symptoms are not curable. The most popular pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological methods for clearing brain fog include the ones listed below:

Pharmacological

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) generally seem to be more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), despite the fact that the majority of currently available and frequently prescribed medications for depression don’t seem to improve symptoms of brain fog.

Nonpharmacological

Some psychotherapeutic modalities, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), may help lessen the symptoms of chronic brain fog. These treatments can aid patients in managing their symptoms and developing a positive outlook.

Programs for cognitive remediation and neurorehabilitation, as well as other therapies that emphasize improving cognitive functioning, can be beneficial.

Finally, with some home remedies and lifestyle adjustments, some patients have reported improvements in the symptoms of brain fog. These include:

• Reading.
• staying away from typical distractions.
• creating a solid network of support.
• stress-relieving techniques like yoga and meditation.
• To prevent feelings of burnout, one should learn their own limits and respect them.
• utilizing reminders, such as calendars, Post-it notes, cell phone alerts, diaries, and lists.
• discovering the times when cognitive abilities are strongest and completing crucial tasks then.
• keeping track of what you eat and observing any effects it may have on your cognitive function.
• playing brain-boosting games like crossword puzzles, word matching games, and puzzles.

Supplements To Help Stop Brain Fog

• Fish Oil – contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are the main sources of DHA. It can enhance mental, motor, and visual abilities.
• Ginkgo Biloba Extract – widely studied for its effective anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, platelet-forming, and circulation-boosting effects. Benefits of ginkgo Biloba include enhanced memory, increased energy, a happier mood, and a reduction in symptoms of numerous chronic diseases. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease can also be decreased by it.
• Choline Bitartrate – Chemically speaking, choline and the B family of vitamins are related. Choline is necessary for the formation of cell membranes and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in memory and muscle control. 
• Gamma Oryzanol – has been shown to raise the levels of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Additionally, it encourages mood relaxation and sound sleep.
• L-Theanine – promotes relaxation and facilitates sleep by increasing levels of serotonin, and dopamine, and L-theanine is regarded as an anxiolytic because it helps to lessen anxiety.