The Role Depression Plays in Stress

A survey conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide showed that globally, 23% of women executives and professionals and 19% of males say they feel “super-stressed.” It is no great wonder then, that depression ranks as one of the main illnesses for prescribed medication.

As you live in stressful situations every waking day, two things happen. First, you eventually grow accustomed to the stress and come to expect stress to be a normal thing. Second, you will most likely go through a period of depression as well.

Because your body reacts to stress, it is a common factor and reason for the onset of depression for many people. When you feel stressed out by your life or things happening around you, you induce chemical reactions in your body that trigger depression.

Chronic stress can also bring about depression. Chronic stress most often stems from having to manage many things at once. Single moms often suffer from chronic stress. They often have to become mom and dad. When you throw in work responsibilities and negative environments, this leads to a disastrous situation. Given this kind of scenario, one small change can set off a huge onslaught of depression.

Researchers studying stress and depression developed a theory called, “learned helplessness.” When a person is subjected to a series of stressful events, they come to believe that they are not in control of their life or what happens to them. In this case, this feeling of helplessness usually leads to depression.

If you are suffering from physical or emotional stress, take proper measures to get relief or help. Nobody should go through this alone. Don’t wait until you reach the point of depression. Get help today.