Long-term Psychological Effects of Stress

Over a period of time, however, Jamie began to feel tired and sort of irritable. Her friends seemed annoying with their little jokes, gig­gling, and secrets. Even softball got to be more of a pain than the

great time it had been before, and Jamie felt like she just didn’t have the energy to do it anymore. Every chance she got, Jamie would crawl into her bed and take a nap, and it seemed like it was getting harder and harder to get back out.

Jamie knew her parents were worried about her, and that made her feel bad, but she couldn’t help how she was feeling. Her dad kept telling her to pull herself together, and she wished, more than anything, that she could. She started feeling guilty that she felt so bad, because she couldn’t think of any specific problem or situation that would cause her to feel so sad. Her friends began drifting away, and Jamie couldn’t find the energy to keep in touch with them. She felt more and more alone, which made her feel even more sad and hopeless. One day she completely broke down and told her mom that she couldn’t take it anymore. Frightened about what was happening to her daughter, Jamie’s mom made an appointment with the fam­ily doctor, who suspected Jamie was suffering from depression and referred her to a therapist.

Jamie didn’t experience any particular event that triggered her depression, but she became depressed, regardless. While there cer­tainly is a link between stress and depression, most experts agree that major depression, also known as depressive disorder or clinical depression, is caused by a combination of brain chemistry, genetics, and your emotional environment. Other factors that can contribute to depression include illness, diet, medications, and substance abuse.

The National Institute of Mental Health describes depression as “when the blues don’t go away,” and lists 11 common symptoms:

> Ongoing sad, anxious, or empty feelings

> Feelings of hopelessness

> Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

> Feeling irritable or restless

> Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable, including sex

> Feeling tired all the time

> Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or difficulty making decisions

> Being unable to go to sleep or stay asleep (insomnia); waking in the middle of the night, or sleeping all the time

> Overeating or loss of appetite

> Thoughts of suicide or making suicide attempts

> Ongoing aches and pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not go away

About 19 million people experience depression every year, accord­ing to the National Institutes of Health, and the majority of those people don’t receive the help they need. Depression affects people of both sexes and of every race, ethnic background, and socioeconomic group. If you are experiencing some, or all, of these symptoms and you believe you are suffering from depression, it’s very important that you discuss your situation with a parent, the school nurse, your doc­tor, a community counselor, or another trusted adult who will assist you in getting help.

We don’t fully understand why some people become depressed while others don’t. There’s evidence that some types of depression run in families, and that brain chemistry and structure are factors in depression. Environmental and psychological stresses, such as the loss of a loved one, a traumatic event, the loss of a job, and poor relationships with others also are thought to trigger depression in some people, but sometimes depression occurs with no clear trigger­ing event, affecting those, like Jamie, who appear to have everything going for them. When that happens, the depressed person may feel very guilty about his condition, as Jamie did, and may be blamed by others, which can cause the depression to worsen. Anyone suffering from depression should understand that it’s not their fault, and the condition is not something to feel guilty about. The smartest thing to do if you believe you’re suffering from depression is to ask for profes­sional help. Depression is a serious health issue, but it often can be treated. Don’t assume, or let someone else tell you, that how you’re feeling is just a “stage” you’re going through, or that you can “pull yourself out of it.”

One of the major risks of depression among teens is suicide. Suicide, which is linked to both stress and depression, is the third-leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 15 and 24, and the sixth-leading cause of those between 5 and 14, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. About 32,500 people in the United States commit suicide every year, accord­ing to the National Institutes of Health, with a disproportionate number of those being teens and the elderly. It’s not known exactly how many suicide attempts occur each year, but it’s estimated that for each person who actually commits suicide, between eight and 25 people attempt it.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, or know someone else who does, it is absolutely imperative that you tell someone who can help. Early symptoms of suicidal thinking are listed by the National Institutes of Health as:

> Depression

> Statements or expressions of feelings of guilt

> Tension or anxiety

> Nervousness

> Impulsiveness

Critical signs that a person may be getting ready to make a suicide attempt are:

> Sudden change in behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety

> Giving away belongings or attempting to settle issues

> Direct or indirect references to suicide

> Direct attempts at suicide professional help. If no one is available to help you, call your doctor or call 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a toll-free, 24-hour hotline that is staffed by trained counselors. The number is 1-800-273-TALK. If you believe a friend is considering suicide, don’t leave them alone, and call for immediate help.