If you are someone who has experienced depression and wondering if depression can cause brain fog? You are not alone. We all have moments where we feel as though our thoughts are getting lost in our heads. It is a scary feeling. I (Shannon) have experienced much depression through the years. In highly depressive states, I can often have sort of a daze… a mental fog.
My cognitive symptoms include a delay in reacting and almost no decision-making abilities. I can experience memory problems, memory loss, and overall mental fatigue. Depression is known to make your body tired, for sure. Your daily life is all-consuming at times.
Through therapy, and speaking with my healthcare professional, I came to realize that cognitive impairment is often referred to as brain fog. Brain fog often goes hand in hand with symptoms of depression.
What is Brain Fog?
“Brain fog” is a coined term in the medical field as a mental condition that involves confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of mental clarity due to stress depression conditions, or anything else.
When most people experience this mental condition called brain fog, they lack concentration for their day-to-day work, become poor in decision-making, and feel mental laziness like a fog closes their brain. Hi, it’s me!
Similar to depression, brain fog can really F with your quality of life.
Brain fog can be caused due to chronic stress, not getting enough sleep, mental health conditions, and even physical impairments that have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
We’ve mentioned in great abundance about sleep wellness and how lack of sleep can impair brain function. When you don’t sleep, your brain doesn’t get the time to recover from all of the work it does. You then begin to suffer from cognitive decline or other cognitive problems that make you feel like you are losing it.
While the causes of brain fog can be varied, it has been a big topic of discussion since many suffer from it due to Long COVID. When the brain fog started happening to me more a couple of years ago, the first thing my doctor mentioned was how people who have had COVID can experience the underlying cause of having brain fog.
Yeah, as if COVID didn’t ruin enough things for us.
Brain Fog Symptoms
The symptoms of brain fog can be the same symptoms that when you Google them, you will be terrified and convinced that you are cognitively impaired for life. Listen, as someone who has gone through this plenty of times due to depressive episodes, I am here to tell you that what you find on Google when typing in some of these things is enough to drive you into a dark space.
If you are wondering though, if you have brain fog, know that it can be in the form of these symptoms:
- Difficulty in concentration
- Poor decision-making skills
- Slower reaction and slow physical movement
- Feels like you cannot think of anything clearly
Is Brain Fog a Medical Term?
Brain fog is used in medical scenarios and by medical professionals but it is not a diagnosis. What do we mean by diagnosis? Well, you are more than likely not going to meet with a mental health care provider, or medical provider and be diagnosed with “brain fog”, receive a pill, and off you go. While lifestyle changes and a treatment plan may be a consideration, it is a symptom of an underlying condition.
It should be known though, that the DSM-5 (the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) refers to cognitive symptoms that can accompany various medical and mental health conditions. When diagnosing mental health disorders, healthcare professionals typically rely on an established set of criteria that are outlined in the DSM-5. Rather than finding the term “brain fog”, it will use other descriptors that are used instead.
Medical Issues That Can Cause Brain Fog
We’ve talked about the symptoms of brain fog, but there are medical issues that can contribute to brain fog, including:
- Sleep disorders: Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can impair cognitive function and contribute to brain fog.
- Nutritional deficiencies: If you are not on a healthy diet, getting essential nutrients and vitamins, you can have some brain function issues.
- Mental illness: Depression, stress, and anxiety can impair cognitive function and contribute to symptoms of brain fog. Depression, as we will discuss in greater detail throughout this blog post, can most definitely cause brain fog.
- Hormonal imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, such as those occurring during menopause or thyroid disorders, can affect cognitive function.
- Chronic illnesses: Conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune diseases can be associated with symptoms of brain fog.
- Medication side effects: Certain medications, including some antidepressants and antihistamines, can cause cognitive impairment as a side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about this, and all of the treatment options you are currently on.
Many of these medical issues have a range of symptoms that accompany them. We are simply listing some that do cause some cognitive difficulties, often referred to as brain fog.
Can Depression Cause Brain Fog?
If you are clinically depressed or suffer from major depressive disorder, you may find that you are often caught up in a brain fog. Due to that, it can extend to your cognitive abilities too. The brain fog related to depression is called cognitive dysfunction. Research suggests, that 94% of people with depression report experiencing cognitive dysfunction also called brain fog.
Want an example of this? While I am in a depressive state (mine can last days or weeks at a time), I have poor concentration, and I cannot complete tasks. Even the simplest things become too difficult.
I walked outside one morning to walk, and didn’t even know I only had socks on until I was halfway up the sidewalk when Gerry called out, “Shannon, forget something?” For me, when I am depressed, my depression most definitely causes brain fog. I don’t want to participate in physical activity, but I am so regimented in my morning walks that it just happens, thankfully. No decisions are necessary.
However, that morning, my brain fog interfered with the basic task of putting on shoes.
If you are consistently having these feelings, you should consult your doctor. Depression is no joke. Brain fog is no joke. Seek help.
How to Treat Brain Fog
There are treatment options, and as mentioned, some lifestyle changes can help treat brain fog. I will share some that help me when I am experiencing brain fog in a period of depression.
- Meditation: Activities like meditation will support you during depressive states and help with the symptoms of brain fog. I have found that this helps me gain clarity when my thoughts traditionally race through my brain.
- Therapy: Consider seeking help from a therapist or mental health professional. They can help identify underlying causes and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs. Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy can be very beneficial.
- Sleep: Sleep is highly underrated. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to improve sleep quality. Sleep is my number one anecdote during these times of high brain fog. I have participated in sleep therapy at a wellness retreat. If you can take part in this type of therapy, take advantage of it.
- Systems and Routines: All my life, people have called me OCD, neurotic, you name it. The reason I love having systems and routines in place is that it helps me not have to make decisions all the time. I love being as impulsive as the next person, but throughout my daily life, when I am not in a great place, mentally, I need routine. I need things to be as seamless and calm as possible. The fewer decisions I have to make, the better. If you can put routines and systems in place within your life, you will thank yourself later.
Timing of Brain Fog
As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of things that can cause issues with proper cognitive functioning, and brain fog.
Depression-related brain fog can be different for each person, and so can longevity. For some, it might be a temporary and occasional symptom, while for others, it can persist for an extended time. That’s why we wanted to share background information on brain fog, and my experience with depression, so you can be more familiar with the two.
The most important thing is that if you think you are experiencing brain fog, mood disorders, or anything different than the norm, see a healthcare provider.
Please, take the necessary steps to work on and through depression. A life of more contentment is attainable, with or without the brain fog.
Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. Please also review terms & conditions for the legal verbiage regarding this.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Leafy greens, berries, and even dark chocolate have been known to help support cognitive function and reduce the symptoms of brain fog. It is important to know the underlying condition of the brain fog, though. It is imperative to stay hydrated, too. Drink lots of water!
While there is no cure for brain fog related to Long COVID, there are strategies that may help alleviate symptoms like adequate sleep, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and engaging in cognitive activities like puzzles and games.
It is important to advocate for yourself, but always in healthcare. Try telling your provider what your brain fog feels like, or give examples of when you notice it. You may say things like, “I’m having trouble making decisions or remembering basic tasks,” or “I find it difficult to focus during…” Help your provider by setting the scene. Talking to your provider, and gaining insight from him/her is a great way of getting a game plan, and harnessing the leverage of forming your healthcare team.
