'ongoing stress causes clinical depression'

[naswm]

Is this really true? or are those people that suffer/encounter stress in their lives more inclined to be depressed anyway?

that's how I understand it too - if you have been under ongoing stress your body will release less and less serotonin and you need to get the levels up to stop the slippery slope (depressed - less serotonin - more depressed - less serotonin)

There are a number of ways to increase your serotonin: exercise, Anti-depressants e.g. SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitors - so increase the amount of serotonin as it is not taken up) or counselling to address the original cause of the stress and hopefully cause the serotonin levels to rise as the cause can be addressed.

I do not have a medical background this is just what I have picked up along the way.

Thanks FatThighs - all v helpful

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??? essbee?

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It wasnt obvioous to me essbee - but then maybe I am the exception

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yes essbee - very stressed and anxious - and worried sick I will dip down in to depression again. Only just manged to climb up from teh last episode. Very sad about it

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Sorry you are feeling yuck essbee.......

Good to hear you are feeling ok (depression wise) despite the stress. Not so good to hear about your stress tho....

Re me - I honestly dont think there is anythng anyone can do to help me. Altho chatting does help. Altho I wish I could chat about the actual issues and not just the overall stress, IYKWIM.

THanks for posting x

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I do have a very good friend in RL who I can and do chat to - but I cant burden her all the time. I have lots of other acquantaince type friends in RL - but none know anything about my struggles or past issues etc.

Lots of reasons why I cant talk on here. 1) I am not v good at opening up. 2) some of the stuff (eg the particular issues hauintinig me atm, are 'protected' IYKWIM. So I really cant.

ATM I feel like I could do with a counselling session every day - but alas........

Are you having counselling?

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Thanks essbee - I will do that....

BTW I think the question you raised is interesting and important and by no means obvious.

Lots of people cope with things in different ways and one factor on this is brain chemistry (why it is heritary to some extent).

Ongoing depression CAN but does not always lead to clinical depression - therefore interesting question.

Its horrible isnt it?(