Can constant stress literally cause a mood disorder?
Possibly. Of course, not everyone with depression or anxiety has experienced a very stressful event — such as the death of a loved one, moving to a new town, or losing a job. And not everyone who is under stress develops depression or anxiety. But stressful events may induce changes in brain chemistry that predispose you to depression and anxiety. Usually, we think of stress as a bad thing. But at its most basic level, stress is helpful. When your mind senses a dangerous situation — such as an animal about to attack — it triggers your body to react with the “fight or flight” response, which helps you do one of those two things. The hypothalamus brain region signals your adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, mostly epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol. Epinephrine increases your pulse and breathing rate, sending more blood and oxygen to your muscles and brain to give you a jolt of energy. It also contracts your pupils and helps you focus your vision. Cortisol (“the stress h
