Chronic Stress and Depression

A causal link exists between stressful life events and major depressive disorder (Hammen C. Stress and Depression. Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 2005; 1:293–319). Chronic stress induces depression. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders associated with stress. Major depressive disorder has a broad range of symptoms. The emotional symptoms of depression include sadness, feelings worthlessness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, thoughts of death or suicide, and overwhelming feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Physical symptoms include restlessness, trouble concentrating or making decisions, lack of energy, changes in weight, loss of appetite, sleeplessness or too much sleep, and reckless behavior. Other symptoms associated with depression may include aches and pains, tearfulness, constant worry, dwelling on negative thoughts, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. As a result of increasing stress, depression is now depressingly very common in the US and throughout the world. Depression is experienced twice by women than by men; more among Blacks and Hispanics than Whites; and also more common among the young, poor, and unemployed population. A recent survey in the US showed that one over 2 million people seriously contemplated suicide in 2010 alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States, prescriptions of antidepressants have risen by 400% since 1988. CDC data show that 1 in every 10 Americans over the age of 12 now takes an antidepressant. This figure does not include two-thirds of those with severe symptoms of depression who does not take any medication for the disorder at all. It is quite unfortunate that many subjects with severe depression do not receive adequate treatment especially if they are young, poor, and a member of the minority group. Treatments for Depression There is no cure yet for depression; however, there are a variety of ways to treat depression. Individuals suffering from major depressive disorder have found help through a combination of prescription medication, psychotherapy, and the valuable support of friends and family. Some people may opt for natural remedies such as herbal therapy. Drugs approved for managing the disorder include Cymbalta, Abilify, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Pamelor, Remeron, Effexor, Marplan, Nardil, Pristiq, and Ensam. These antidepressants prescribed by doctors for the clinical management of major depressive disorder can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in children, teens, and young adults. Common side effects of antidepressants include constipation, sweating, nausea, and dizziness.