What is the difference between depression and stress

However, stress can lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression if it persists over long periods without relief. Depression is a mental health condition that requires a medical diagnosis.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated While stress is related to life events, depression can happen even if everything in life seems fine — and it can last for years. How to deal with stress and depression. Exercise — Physical activity releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in the brain. Endorphins also improve your ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress.

Laugh — Getting together with good friends and laughing can reduce stress. Laughter decreases stress hormones and releases endorphins to promote an overall sense of wellbeing. Learn something new — Setting a goal of learning a new language or hobby helps build confidence, which can help you deal with stress. Avoid alcohol and drugs — Many people use alcohol or drugs to find temporary relief from stress.

Volunteer — Helping others in need through volunteering or community work can help put your problems in perspective. Meditate — Meditation allows you to focus your thoughts and calm the stream of jumbled worries clouding your mind and causing stress.

Taking steps to manage your stress on your own can help prevent depression. Depression treatment at Alvarado Parkway Institute. Depression can make it extremely difficult to get through the day. If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, you are not alone; it's practically a fact of life on college campuses. Stress is good if it motivates you but it's bad if it wears you down. Many factors can contribute to the stress you experience, and this stress can cause changes in your body that affect your overall physical, mental, and emotional health.

Depression is more serious and long-lasting than stress, and requires a different kind of help. The good news is that depression is a highly treatable condition. However, it's not something you can snap out of by yourself, so it's important to get help. How do you tell the difference between stress and depression? Both can affect you in similar ways, but there are key differences. Symptoms of depression can be much more intense.

They last at least two weeks. Depression causes powerful mood changes, such as painful sadness and despair. You may feel exhausted and unable to act. If you are stressed out, there are many good ways to get relief. Drinking or taking drugs however, won't solve anything and can lead to more problems.

Here are some constructive choices:. Figure out what is really causing the stress. Think of as many possible causes as you can, and write them down. Now brainstorm for solutions that will reduce the stress, and commit them to paper. A trusted friend, family member or school counselor may be able to offer some good ideas as well. Now choose a few solutions to start tackling the issues.

If they are complicated, break them down in to manageable chunks. Then give your plan a try. There are also several physical symptoms such as dizziness, muscle pain or frequent headaches. Warning signs for depression are similar and include a loss of appetite or sex drive, physical aches and pains and difficulty sleeping. One hallmark warning sign for depression is when an individual loses interest in activities that they used to take joy from, for example hobbies or socialising.

Feelings that life may no longer be worth living are also characteristic of depression. There are a variety of treatments available to employees suffering from stress or depression. The most common forms include:. At Cognacity, we offer a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy CBT -based workshops with evidence-based research that they can improve levels of affective work-related rumination, chronic fatigue, and sleep quality.

Contact the Cognacity Team and book your session to help beat employee stress and depression. Contact us on: reception cognacity. Employee stress or depression? Search for:. This website uses cookies to improve your experience.