There appears to be a complex relationship among stressful situations, our mind and body's reaction to stress and the onset of Clinical Depression. It is clear that some people develop depression after a stressful event in their lives. Events such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship are often negative and traumatic. They tend to cause a huge amount of stress for many people. Stress can also occur as the result of a more positive event such as getting married, moving to a new area, or starting a new job. It is not uncommon for either positive or negative events to become a crisis that precedes the development of Clinical Depression.

Whether a stressful event itself can actually cause a person to become depressed is not fully known. There are times when we all struggle with very painful situations in our lives. More often that not, these changes do not result in a person becoming clinically depressed. In fact, sometimes people become depressed even when there is little or no stress in their lives and when everything seems to be going very well. People are different and there is no single stressful event which will cause depression to develop in every person. The same type of stressor may lead to depression in one person, but have no affect on another.

A stressful event such as a job loss or the death of a loved one is more likely to come before a first or second depressive episode. After that, further episodes may develop spontaneously. It is not certain why stress may lead to depression in this way. However, researchers have theorized an explanation called the "kindling effect," or "kindling-sensitisation hypothesis." This theory surmises that initial depressive episodes spark changes in the brain's chemistry and limbic system that make it more prone to developing future episodes of depression. This may be compared to the use of kindling wood to spark the flames of a campfire. Since early episodes of depression make a person more sensitive to developing depression, even small stressors can lead to it later.

Some people may become depressed as a result of having to struggle with chronic stress. These constant difficulties may come in the form of having to juggle multiple roles at home and work, making major changes in lifestyle, being in an abusive environment, etc. They may also come with important and normal transitions in life, such as late adolescence and early adulthood when many people separate from their families to establish their own independence.

Middle age may require adjustment to changes in fertility and virility, children leaving the home, concern about job advancement, and a re-evaluation of accomplishments in life. Retirement is another time of major change as some people struggle with a reduction of position and finances. If a person is under continuous stress, a single difficult event may be more likely to induce a depressive episode.

Stress can be managed and it is important to create and maintain healthy ways of coping with stressful situations, this can make all the difference to your relationships, working life, health and emotional well being.

"The Online Counselling Service, Your Pathway to Personal Freedom"