Re No Room For Blame, Letters July/August
I don’t feel one can so easily discount a causal link between depression and stress. Stress frequently leads to anxiety and anxiety is a major component of depression. In fact, some people who suffer from severe depression would say that the anxiety component of their illness is even worse than the depression. In my work as a psychotherapist, I see many people suffering from work stress and burnout. Many of them have trouble asserting appropriate boundaries, as do many clergy. The treatment involves psychotherapy and anti-depressants. Clear signs of depression and anxiety are usually present.
One recent theory concerning depression, out of Britain, posits that the root cause of depression is chronic anxiety frequently brought on by undue stress. The anxiety either disrupts or prevents proper sleep and this in turn causes many of the depressive symptoms: low mood, lack of concentration and energy, etc. Part of recovery is to minimize sources of stress and to do proper self-care which involves asserting proper boundaries. Restoring proper restful sleep is critical for recovery.
Although the reasons are not so clearly understood, there is no question the number of people suffering depression is up dramatically from previous generations. According to one study, the rate of depression for women born since the Korean War is 60 times higher than for women born prior to 1900. The rate for men is 30 times higher. Another study found that 60 per cent of the people walking around downtown Toronto during the day were depressed. (No Toronto jokes!) Chronic and excessive stress is a serious issue in our society and a major health problem.
