One possible emotional reaction to stress, especially long-term or severe stress, is depression. When stress depression symptoms start to interfere with your ability to function, it is called Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. According to the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” significant depression in response to stress includes emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to a stressor that occurs within three months of the onset of the stressor.
Stress Response and Depression
When a person is faced with a stressful situation, his body reacts with a “fight or flight” response. This physical response, which is the result of increased arousal and adrenaline, is designed to help a person either face or escape the stressor to protect himself from harm. Prolonged exposure to increased arousal and adrenaline can deplete a person both mentally and physically, which makes him more vulnerable to depression.
Distress
A sign of stress depression is a significant level of distress or emotional upset that is considered to be in excess of what would be expected. For example, starting a new job which is typically a fairly stressful experience for most people. A person with a significant level of stress depression may exhibit more severe symptoms of depression and stress than what would be expected, such as severe fatigue or tearfulness.
Impairment in Functioning
Symptoms of stress depression must cause a marked level of impairment in social or occupational functioning. For example, a person experiencing stress depression about starting her new job may feel so depressed that she is unable to perform the duties of her new job sufficiently. This will, in turn, lead to more depression in response to her subpar work performance.
Stand Alone Symptoms
The symptoms must not be related to bereavement or any other mental health disorder. If a person was previously depressed, and became more depressed in response to a new stressor, then he should be evaluated for an underlying diagnosis other than stress depression.
Time Limitation
To meet the criteria for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, the symptoms or its consequences must significantly reduce or disappear within six months of the termination of the stressor. If the symptoms persist beyond six months, then an evaluation from a mental health provider is recommended in order to determine any other psychological diagnoses, such as Major Depressive Disorder.
References
- www.Helpguide.org; Understanding Stress
- “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition – Text Revision”; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
