Welcome to Life Noggin.

歡迎來到 Life Noggin。

Depression is a serious illness that affects over 300 million people worldwide.

憂鬱症是個嚴重的疾病，影響全球超過 3 億人口。

While everyone feels sad sometimes, people with major depressive disorder, or clinical depression, can be down for weeks, months, or even years.

雖然人們時不時都會情緒低落，但患有重鬱症，或是臨床憂鬱症的人，可能會情緒低落數週、數月、甚至數年。

It's not something they can shake by changing their routine.

就算改變他們的日常習慣，也無法動搖這個疾病。

For many, the activities that used to make them happy don't anymore.

對許多患者來說，曾經使他們快樂的活動已不復存在。

They may feel hopeless and exhausted, have trouble sleeping, lose their appetite, or have a decreased libido.

他們可能會感到無望和疲憊、難以入睡、食慾不振或性慾降低。

It can be hard for them to get through the day or complete routine tasks.

要度過一天，或是完成例行任務對他們來說是困難的。

At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

最糟的狀況，憂鬱症還可能導致自殺。

I know that this is a delicate topic, so I teamed up my YouTube friend and licensed therapist, Kati Morton!

我知道這是個棘手的主題，所以我與既是我的 YouTube 朋友，也是有執照的治療師 Kati Morton 合作！

Kati, could you give us some insight on why people get depressed?

Kati，可以請你詳加說明人們憂鬱的原因嗎？

Sure thing!

當然！

There isn't really one particular reason people slip into depression.

人們陷入憂鬱之中並沒有一個特定的原因。

It can be triggered by an event or stress, but it can also start without a clear cause.

它可以是由一個事件或壓力引起的，但也可能在沒有明確原因的情況下發生。

Either way, it's real, and serious.

不論是哪個，憂鬱症是真實存在且相當嚴重的。

One in ten people have been depressed at least once in their lifetime, and it's the leading cause of disability worldwide.

十分之一的人口一生中都曾憂鬱過，而這是導致全球殘疾的主因。

For decades, scientists believed that the illness was caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, like serotonin, that help regulate mood.

幾十年來，科學家相信憂鬱症是由於腦中某些像是用來調適情緒的血清素的化學物質失衡所導致的。

Many medications that treat depression boost these chemicals, but they often take weeks to work.

許多治療憂鬱症的藥物會增強這些化學物質，但藥效通常要經過幾週才會生效。

This may be because the chemicals are actually helping build new neurons and connections in the brain.

這可能是因為這些化學物質在幫忙建立新的神經元以及它們與大腦的連結。

Several studies support this theory, suggesting that the root cause of depression could be problems with the brain's circuits.

多項研究支持這個理論，表明憂鬱症的根本原因可能是大腦迴路的問題。

One study showed that depressed people have weak connections in the parts of the brain associated with reward and memory; and strong connections in the areas associated with punishment.

一項研究顯示憂鬱的人在與獎勵和記憶有關的大腦部分，有較微弱的連結；而在與懲罰的相關區域，連結卻很強。

Another study found hyperactivity in the areas controlling concentration and mood.

另一項研究發現，控制注意力和情緒的區域過度活躍。

This might be what causes negative thoughts to stay at the front of someone's mind, even when they try to push them away.

這可能是導致人們即使試圖驅趕負面想法，卻還是揮之不去的原因。

Scientists are now looking for treatments that target these circuits directly to provide better relief.

科學家正在找尋直接針對這些迴路的治療方法，以提供更好的舒緩效果。

But depression can be more than just bad feelings.

但憂鬱症不僅僅只是負面情緒而已。

It's also been linked to chronic pain, immune system problems, heart disease, and hormone imbalances.

它也和慢性疼痛、免疫系統問題、心臟病和賀爾蒙失調有關。

In fact, physical symptoms are often the first sign of major depressive disorder.

事實上，身體的症狀通常是重鬱症的前兆。

In a study of roughly 1200 people who met the criteria for depression, nearly 70% went to the doctor for physical symptoms, not mental.

在對大約 1,200 位符合憂鬱症標準的人的研究中，近 70% 的人是因為身體症狀就醫，而非心理症狀。

So, does depression cause physical problems, or is it the other way around?

那麼，憂鬱症是否會導致身體問題呢？還是相反？

Well, It may be both.

其實兩者都有可能。

For example, researchers have long thought that stress can cause stomach issues, but there's also evidence that irritation in your gut can trigger mood swings.

舉例來說，研究人員一直認為壓力會導致胃部問題，但也有證據顯示，腸道發炎也可能導致情緒波動。

Since the mind and body are so closely linked, mental illness is often felt physically even though there is no illness in the body itself.

由於身心是緊密相連的，因此就算身體本身沒有問題，也常常會因為心理疾病而病痛纏身。

Those physical sensations are called psychosomatic symptoms.

這些身體感受稱之為心身症狀。

Some scientists believe that physical and emotional pain share similar pathways in the brain, and it's necessary to treat both types of symptoms to get relief.

某些科學家相信身體與心理上的痛苦在大腦中有相似的途徑，所以同時治療這兩種形式的疼痛來舒緩是必要的。

No matter how depression manifests, the most important thing is to get the right help.

不論憂鬱症以何種形式出現，最重要的是要找到正確的幫助。

Many people suffer silently because they think admitting to depression is a sign of weakness.

許多人都默默承受著，因為他們認為承認自己有憂鬱症是在示弱。

But it's not, and you are not alone.

但並非如此，你不是孤身一人。

Talking about it with a professional is one of the main things that can help, and most forms of depression are treatable.

與專業人士談談是主要的治療方法之一，而且大多數的憂鬱症是可以治療的。

If you know someone who might need help, or if you need help now, you can check the links in the description for free resources.

如果你知道有人需要幫助，或者是你需要幫助，你可以點擊下方敘述欄中的連結，裡面有免費資源可使用。

And please, speak to a professional.

還有請一定要與專家談談。

Depression can be very difficult to live with, but there are lots of ways to get help.

有時，憂鬱症很難和平共處，但有許多方法可以尋求幫助。

Thank you so much to Kati for helping with this video!

謝謝 Kati 幫忙完成今天的影片！

She's a great friend and is helping people every week on her YouTube channel.

她是個很好的朋友，每週都會在她的 YouTube 頻道提供他人幫助。

So if you wanna dive right in, I highly recommend starting here or click the link in the description.

如果你對這有興趣，我強烈建議你從這部影片開始了解，或點擊敘述欄中的連結。

You can see that if something is wrong in our brain, if we're feeling really down and out, that body aches might be common; we might wanna sleep a lot.

如果我們的大腦出現問題，或是真的感到情緒低落，那麼身體疼痛可能很常見；可能會很嗜睡。

If you have any story you feel comfortable with sharing, let us in the comment section below.

如果你不介意分享你的故事，可以在下方留言區留言。

As always, my name is Blocko, this has been Life Noggin, don't forget to keep on thinking.

一如往常，我是 Blocko，這裡是 Life Noggin，別忘了繼續思考。如果你對這有興趣，我強烈建議你從這部影片開始了解，或點擊敘述欄中的連結。