What is Stress?

Generally speaking, we all face stress in our daily lives. We start the day on stressful note while managing to get out of our homes early to rush to offices, work places, schools, etc. Then we undergo stress while navigating traffic and reaching work place. And the occupational stress of professional life is too well-known to all of us, such as deadlines, targets, conferences and other responsibilities. Students face stress while appearing for examinations. Children undergo stress when they are taken to a doctor.

In our day-to-day life, we face many hurdles and confronting situations. We may be overcome with tensions and anxiety. When we are hard pressed for time or face time-limit situations, our internal mechanism prepares our body to face the situations, which is a natural phenomenon. The problem arises when this internal adjustment system is constantly on the call to deal with persistent bodily and psychological pressures. Eventually it will become beyond the capability of this internal system to cope with increasing pressures. It reflects in emotional disorder and physical disturbance. This is what is known as stress.

How Does Stress lead to Depression?

Stress can be a factor to depression. Stress also causes gloominess, which is the main symptom of depression. But anxiety and stress can not be directly held responsible for a depressed state of a person. A person may be depressed even without stressful life style. A depression can not occur due to any particular stress situation. And similar stress factors may cause dissimilar reactions in different persons. These factors may contribute to depression in some while they may have no effect on other persons.

Stress and Depression Symptoms

The common symptoms associated with stress, anxiety and depression are:

Decreased dynamism: The personwill become more static in thinking and deeds. The drive in such people will be missing. They do not aspire for things or achievements. In the process, they get more depressed. They get trapped in this cycle.

Weariness: This symptom is unlike the feeling of tiredness when one physically exerts. The person feels sapped of bodily resources. A depressed person feels mentally and physically weary. Doing even routine chores becomes a burden.

Changes in Resting patterns: This disturbance is more common of all common symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. The person either may sleep for longer hours than before due to tiredness or may sleep less than normal due to stress and depression. Even the sleep will not be a deep sleep. Obviously, the person will have more agitation next day.

Deep gloom: This is the single most important symptom of stress, anxiety and depression. The condition of depression emanates from general gloom. The patient can only think of negative things. They see negativity in every aspect of life. The lack of positive outlook further nudges the person into more depression.

Bad-tempered nature: A stressed out person will exhibit impatience because of his/her mental disposition. The person will become petulant and touchy. They are easily annoyed and dissatisfied when things do not happen the way they have planned them. They get easily provoked into arguments and quarrels. This symptom will last until it is treated properly.

Aloofness: Sufferers will like to remain all by themselves. They do not like company of their family and acquaintances. They lead a lonely existence. They are happy with their own cozy little world.

Dread: Fear of the unknownperhaps. They are afraid of any possible negative occurrences and happenings. They perceive doom and disaster. They are scared of doing any worthwhile activity because they are convinced that it is going to be a failure. This will further make things worse for the.

Empty feeling: Persons feel they are hollow and empty inside. They think that they do not possess any useful trait or quality characteristic in their mental framework. They lack confidence and belief in themselves. They lose interest in usual activities. They do not derive pleasure and happiness anymore in anything they do.

Sense of remorse: A revisit to the things that they could not do before or to the things that could have been done better preoccupies depressed minds and makes them feel sad and regretful. They rue their perceived lost opportunities and chances.

Dietary changes: Most visible sign of a stressed person. Anxiety and tension affect their dietary habits. They become malnourished with reduced eating. Stress and tension will also affect their digestive system and the person will be disinclined to take food because of this.

Some Physical side effects: Stress and depression cause side effects. A depressed person may suffer from frequent headaches. May suffer pains and ache all over the body. Persons with stress may also develop high blood pressure because of increased secretions of adrenalin. The heart beat increases and the person may even become dizzy and disoriented.