Are you also feeling stressed and depressed? Let's talk about this!

When we hear the word "stress," we don't think of it as a good feeling, do we? But you know, sometimes a little stress is actually good. Think of that little bit of fear mixed with excitement you feel when you start a new job or a new relationship. That kind of stress gives us the energy and enthusiasm to face challenges and try new things. It also helps us to act quickly in dangerous situations.

But this good stress doesn't last long. It gives you the energy you need for the moment, and then it goes away. But if you suffer from stress for a long time, it can become unbearable and affect you physically and mentally. Simply put, although our body's stress response works well in the short term, if it is activated in the long term, our entire system cannot handle it.

What is the relationship between stress and depression?

Long-term stress, which we call chronic stress , can lead to something more serious, depression. Depression is a mental illness that makes you feel sad all the time and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Depression can also affect your appetite, sleep, and ability to concentrate.

What's really amazing is that this works the other way around too. That is, depression can also cause stress.

The way depression causes stress is very clear. Imagine, if you have depression, your whole life is disrupted. You try to stay away from society, to be alone. You stop socializing with friends, going to work, school, and all the things you used to do for fun. When you feel lonely like this, the stress you feel increases, doesn't it? So that's how depression causes stress.

And there is ample evidence that the other side of this is also true. A major stressor, like a divorce or a major financial crisis, is a major stressor. It throws our mind off balance. When stress builds up like this, something happens. Often, that is depression.

But it is not yet entirely clear how stress causes depression. But it is clear that long-term stress increases the likelihood of depression. For example, the prevalence of depression among young people has increased significantly after the Covid pandemic. This is thought to be due to social isolation, disruption of normal life patterns, and general stress around education and work.

What do we do to break this Stress-Depression cycle?

Sometimes, making small changes to our lifestyle can help break this vicious cycle of stress and depression. The most important thing is to think positively about how you deal with stress.

The most important step is to think, "Okay, I'm going to actively do something to deal with this," instead of thinking, "I'm stressed, I'm going to have depression now." Don't just sit there thinking, "I'm going to put up with this."

Here are some things that will help you:

Ask for help, don't suffer alone.

Another great way to reduce the effects of stress and depression is to not try to handle these things alone. Strong, supportive relationships can make a big difference.

Depression is a state of isolation and loneliness. So the best thing you can do is find a way to reconnect. Talking to a trusted friend or two is very important.

Talking to your friends and family can help you better understand what causes your stress. That's a big step forward.

Rather than just saying, "I'm stressed out," it's much more helpful to identify the specific things that are really bothering you and affecting your life. It's a great help to have someone to talk to about that.

Sometimes, the only real relief is to talk about what's on your mind with someone who listens attentively, rather than being told "do this, do that."

Getting professional help

If talking to friends and family doesn't help, you can seek professional help . That means seeing a doctor and talking about it. He or she can refer you to a psychiatrist or counselor if necessary.

One treatment option is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) . Simply put, this therapy helps you take back control of your life by changing your thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps you think, "What's the least I can do today? How can I do it? What will be the result?" This is why it is a good educational tool as well as a treatment.