Facial expression is a tool for diagnosing severe cases of depression.. especially in women

 Despite depression, laughter completely changes the features of the face

Doctors may soon be able to diagnose a severe form of depression just by looking at someone's face, as those with this severe condition show little emotion on their faces when watching anything, especially in women.

This type of depression, called melancholy, is characterized by a complete loss of interest in daily activities and an inability to respond to any pleasure, sleep problems, slow movements, speech and thoughts, agitation, insomnia, body aches and problems with concentration.

Researchers estimate that about 5% to 10% of people with depression are depressed, which may represent up to two million people in the United States, for example.

Depression and the ability to laugh

Now, a study has found that people with early depression make different facial expressions when watching certain materials.

In contrast, people with regular depression were still able to laugh and express emotions while watching funny videos, according to the Daily Mail.

Similarly, people with depression had less brain activity in areas responsible for producing emotions and some facial movements, suggesting that the way they experience emotions is not clear.

This could explain why some people with depression feel numb and disinterested, because their emotions are biologically diminished.

Dr Philip Mosley, study author from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, said his research shows the biology behind what scientists have suspected since the time of the ancient Greeks: that depression in some people causes them to undergo actual physical changes.

“So they stop eating, they lose the ability to sleep, they seem to slow down as if they are walking across concrete. Their thinking speed is noticeably slower, and they are often very sick,” Mosley said.

The researchers showed two different videos to 70 people with depression, 30 of whom were depressed and 40 of whom were not.

The first video included funny scenes from nature documentaries. The second video was a short film called “Butterfly Circus,” which featured a poignant story about a circus troupe inspiring hope in Depression-era America.

The researchers then recorded the participants’ brain and facial activity as they watched each film, first using face-tracking machines and then using an MRI scanner.

Controlling facial muscles

The face-tracking machine showed that no matter what content the depressed people were watching, their facial muscles didn’t move.

They didn’t laugh, frown, or scowl. Their faces maintained an even expression throughout the test.

However, those with normal depression continued to laugh and smile during Gervais’s clips.

Mosley noted that raising awareness of this lack of emotion could help doctors distinguish depression from normal depression earlier; while depression is a more severe condition, it is still treatable.

Mosley suggested that these patients tend not to respond well to traditional talk therapy, so diagnosing them early could also help them develop a more tailored treatment plan.