Chronic Stress and Depression: There is a Link

In one’s daily life, they are met with several demands; professionally and personally. The attempts to live up to everyone’s expectations can, directly or indirectly, induce your stress levels to a concerning degree. In 2018, 46% confirmed they developed harmful habits due to stress; 29% resorted to drinking while 16% started smoking. In addition to that, 51% of adults who are chronically stressed also reported that they are struggling with depression. So, what is the link between depression and chronic stress?

The Difference Between Acute Stress and Chronic Stress

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In your daily life, you experience acute stress as it is a natural and healthy reaction. Your body uses it as a signal to the brain that the situation you’re in is novel, unpredictable, dangerous, or extremely important. For example: The due date of your project is coming up, but you have yet to finish it. This situation puts you under pressure and makes you anxious, which is normal.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a result of one’s continuous exposure to extremely stressful situations that forces the body to release more hormones to process these events and help you deal with them. For example: You are in a toxic relationship, which will inevitably be taxing on your mental and physical energy. This situation puts you under constant pressure, which eventually turns into chronic stress.

The Link Between Stress and Depression

To better understand the link between stress and depression, one must learn more about the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). It consists of three hormone-secreting glands; the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland.

The hypothalamus is located above the brainstem, and it influences the release of the pituitary gland’s hormones. The pituitary gland sits below the hypothalamus and releases hormones into one’s bloodstream to influence targets, glands, or muscles, in the nervous and endocrine systems. When stimulated by an external stressor, the hypothalamus secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which gives a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into one’s bloodstream.

Then, ACTH targets the adrenal gland and influences the release of the stress hormone: cortisol. If the blood cortisol levels are extremely high, the receptors in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, which are located in one’s brain, shut off the stress response through a negative feedback mechanism. This process ends up bringing the body back to its regular and steady state, and it is the normal reaction to acute stress. But how does one’s body deal with chronic stress?

A study in 2006 showed that if one is exposed to prolonged stress- chronic stress- they are at more risk of developing a mood disorder or major depression. This goes back to the fact that one of the main implications of major depressive disorder and manic depression is hyperactivity or dysregulation in the HPA axis. If one’s body is constantly releasing cortisol to regulate the stress response, the blood will automatically have a higher level of cortisol. This is reported to be one of the main causes of major depressive disorder.

Final Thoughts

It is unrealistic to try and avoid stress by all means as it is an inevitable part of life, and it might be necessary sometimes to keep things moving in certain departments. However, it should remain as only a part and not swallow you entirely. If you find that you have been struggling with chronic stress, you might need to slow down and take a step back to analyze your life’s direction. Pushing yourself too hard is one ingredient in a recipe for disaster. Seeking help from a professional can support you immensely in identifying the stressors in your life and finding healthy ways to navigate them.

Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

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Article originally written by Fatima Tabti