Johns Hopkins Health Alert
What Should You Do If Your Depression Is Caused By Stress?
If your depression is triggered by stress -- the loss of a job or death of a loved one -- should it be treated with medication? Karen L. Swartz, M.D., Director of Clinical Programs at the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, answers this timely question.
The relationship between mood disorders and stress is complicated, but we do know they're closely interconnected. Stressful events can potentially cause changes in brain chemistry that predispose people to depression and anxiety. It's also possible that certain individuals' brain chemistry is already vulnerable to depression and a trauma such as the death of a loved one, moving to a new town, or losing a job triggers a depressive episode. Stressful events or even chronic stress may spark depression by prompting feelings of helplessness and negative self-talk -- especially if you've experienced major depression in the past.
The issue of whether medication is needed for stress-induced depression is also complex. No one should automatically be prescribed antidepressants for any problem. Your doctor should perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history before recommending a course of treatment. In many cases, antidepressants have a crucial role in treating depression triggered by stress.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may also help in cases of stress-induced depression: A Canadian study showed that people who recovered from a major depressive episode through medication were more likely to fall back into negative thought patterns than people who had treated depression with CBT. The ability to recognize dysfunctional thinking and disengage from such thoughts can be a valuable tool.
Posted in Depression and Anxiety on February 22, 2010
Reviewed January 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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