What damage does depression do to the brain and how can you treat it?

How does it effect your chemical balance, your brain? Is it critical or will be critical later in life? I just read on Yahoo News that Clinical stress could increase risk of Alzheimer's later in life. Does age matter like during teen years? I had depression and begun running. I noticed that I have a hard time focusing and absorbing information. I forgot a lot of things. All my brain seems to focus on is emotions. Can I change that? The running has made me feel a lot better afterwards.

Hi Tanja, I'm glad to hear your running, any excercise is good but the more oxygen you can get into your bloodstream the better you will feel. The moment you start thinking about depression, evacuate it from your mind and focus on something different for as many times as it takes. Studies show that it takes at least 16 conscious efforts to break a bad habit. Depression is a great tool used by the enemy to destroy your well being. Your way ahead of the game since you have already described the way your feeling. Most adults won't admit there's a problem so your doing good by admitting these things and seeking solutions for them.

Exersize is good
But if you are still depressed it can effect your mood chemicals in your brain. You need to see a psychiatrist and maybe get on a temporary regimen of antidepressants