Stress can cause severe depression. In the medical literature it is called Dysthymia, or Dysthymic Depression. This depression is different from the typical depression that require anti-depressants, because the neurotransmitter deficiencies are different, and thus require different therapies for recovery. Without proper testing one cannot know which type exists. The most common type of depression is assumed to be associated with a deficiency in Serotonin. The typical class of drugs prescribed are Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors(SSRI’s). Dysthymic depression is caused by a deficiency in nor-epinephrine. This to can be treated with medication, but sadly without knowing the true neurotransmitter deficiency, most patients receive an SSRI targeting serotonin. Although some patients may see some mild improvement in their depressive symptoms, it will only be partial or temporary. The only way to tell the difference is to test the neurotransmitter levels.
Dysthmic depression is linked to severe or extended stress that results in depletion of our central nervous system(CNS) stress neurotransmitter nor-epinephrine. Thus, we have a way of ascertaining, the affects of stress in mood disorders. Generally mood disorders such as depression, as a result of dysthymia, are improved temporarily with mild to moderate exercise. Patients will report they feel best when they exercise daily. In severe cases patients will report being unable to exercise at all or recover reasonably from exercise routines. Get testing to take the guess work out of how to treat stress and depression optimally.
