Can Stress Cause Me to Develop a Depression Disorder?
Nowadays, having to deal with a certain degree of stress is an expected part of daily living. Life on the job, managing a household and meeting social obligations can all play into a person’s stress level from day to day. When stressors start to get overwhelming, rising pressures can quickly compromise a person’s ability to cope, opening the door for depression disorder to take root. For help, call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) .
Overall, stress can be a good thing prompting needed action and decision-making. Unfortunately, today’s rapid-paced society can test even the most robust of individuals as far as stress capacities go. When depression disorder becomes an issue, stress levels stand to increase considerably in the absence of needed treatment help.
Stress Effects on the Body
Chronic, long term stressors are likely to cause a depression disorder.
Stress factors run the gamut as far as the different types of stress people encounter in their lives. According to Vermont Department of Health, the types of stress commonly associated with depression disorder include:
- Demanding job
- Problems balancing work and family obligations
- Unsafe and/or unhealthy living conditions
- Money problems
- Discrimination
- Health problems
Any one of the above conditions can take a toll on a person considering how the body’s overall physiology changes in response to perceived stress. In effect, changes in a person’s routine or perceived threats to his or her well-being can set off a series of chemical reactions that alter the brain’s chemical environment and cause the release of stress hormones throughout the body.
Provided these conditions are short-lived, the body can resume normal functioning. When stress levels persist, the body may have a difficult time returning to normal and become stuck, setting the stage for physical and psychological problems to develop. These conditions set the stage for depression disorder to develop.
Call our helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) to see if your insurance will help pay your rehab costs.
The Relationship between Stress and Depression Disorder
According to Carnegie Mellon University, depression disorder tends to develop out of three types of conditions or circumstances:
- Social stressors involving loved ones, such as an unexpected death or divorce
- Chronic, long-term stressors, such as a high-stress work environment or money problems
- Medical problems, such as physical disability or heart disease
Whether stress factors stem from one’s circumstances or physical health, the changes that take place within the brain’s chemical system creates prime conditions for depression disorder and/or overall psychological dysfunction to develop.
When Stress Turns into Anxiety & When to Get Treatment Help
Certain aspects of one’s personal history can determine whether they are prone to stress and if it will turn into anxiety.
Risk Factors
While chronic-type stressors are commonly associated with depression disorder, different people respond to difficult circumstances in different ways. People affected by certain risk factors become more so susceptible to developing depression disorder than others.
According to Harvard Health Publications, adults who suffered losses early on in life may face a higher risk of developing depression under stressful circumstances. The same holds true for individuals who underwent trauma early on in life, such as physical or sexual abuse.
Treatment Considerations
The effects of ongoing stress make it increasingly difficult to manage one’s daily life affairs, and over time can diminish your overall quality of life. Fortunately, depression disorder is highly treatable.
If you suspect you or someone you know may be struggling with depression disorder and have more questions, or need help finding treatment that meets your needs, please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addictions specialists.
