Ok, I'm appealing to the Psych nurses here to provide me with some information. I have been having a discussion regarding the issue of assessing patients' risk for depression and/or suicide (non-psych facility). The question came up surrounding  whether patients who are depressed can also be considered stressed.

In other words, we are all feeling various levels of stress....work, the economy, family issues, health issues, etc. But if we were a depressed person, would we no longer feel that stress - because we are so depressed?  Or is the stress considered one of the contributing factors to the depression?

I know this is a very individualized thing, and one patient's stress or depression may not compare to another patient's issues. But I simply wanted to get the input of those of you who work around this population on a more regular basis than I do. I hope I have explained what I am seeking... I might not have done it well.

Thanks for any answers you might have!

Ginny, thank you....I knew you would come through for me on this topic! You understood the question and gave me a very valuable answer, thanks. :)

I have posted on here multiple times about depression. You may be able to find them and pull them up. If I were not in such a big fat hurry right now to get out of here and go take a test, I would try to find them for you.

Depression is a level of stress and everyone has a different degree of tolerance to it.

Most pt that are depressed cry, will not maintain eye contact, decrease eating, become either violent or closed off. Sleep continuously. These pt need help and cannot get relief by their self.

Ok, this is trivial compared probably to what you guys are talking about and I dont want to pay my $25 copay for professional advice.

Everybody has probably heard that term of 'comfort food'.  Several years ago after a bad divorce, of course I was stressed and depressed.  I loved KFC, McDonalds, any kind of ice cream and chocolate.  My mom would fuss at me saying "we're suppose to eat to live, not live to eat'.  I took off 103#  <this is so embarassing I let myself get in that shape> in about 7 monthes and still fighting the last 20 but I feel good about myself. 

Back then, the doctor put me on prozac, and I was furious he wouldnt give me diet pills.  As far as the prozac goes I still take it because I'm scared I'll gain the weight back.  there's also with my temperment and emotions if I start tapering it off.  A friend of mine said Paxil made her gain a ton of weight.  As a med surg nurse, there are drugs that make us gain weight, prednisone, beta blockers, etc.................but how in the heck can Paxil do that?  I dont know but does Lexapro do that too?  I dont consider myself depressed these days, great supporting family, good job, great dogs , but occasionally stressed, but so is life in general. 

When a person feels good about themselves, they seem much perkier and upbeat..........when they feel bad about their appearance they must be sad about that.  I did learn that my comfort foods are french fries and chocolate so Ive learned to 'treat myself' occasionally. 

Every time I quit trying to take myself off prozac, I did start eating more and lost self control with my 'comfort foods'.  I feel like Pavlovs dog........crack open that prozac and bam, I dont need that Breyers Chocolate Chip icecream.  I also learned that being in good health is much better than looking great.  BTW, I did NOT look great, I looked like a misshapen scarecrow and I smoked like a chimney so I stunk as well. 

.I know this seems very trivial to alot of people but for those who have had eating disorders  <with that weight loss, I would have contests with myself as to how many days I can go without more than a small dry salad on a daily basis>.  Is this more of a woman thing?  When people have personal problems is food our 'friend'?  I want to quit taking prozac.......my husband calls them 'crazy pills'.  I got upset............well, its either this, or I eat our retirement away and you have to take me to the mall in a forklift.  I haven't smoked in a little over 5 years, and that was a huge accomplishment for me.

CD I appreciate your invite and I hope I'm not messing up your topic.

Hello All....I have just joined this group and this is an interesting topic...The first thing that came to mind was the dx of "Agitated Depression".....It is a "naasty" combination and presents in many ways, but stress can be a major cause of anxiety and present / manifest itself in many ways.

I am attaching a link to an informative site

guide.com/agitated-depression.htm">http://www.depression-guide.com/agitated-depression.htm

Patrick

yes. stress will or could lead to depression and vice versa.  but from what i have observed,  people who are depressed has a very very low tolerance when dealing with stress, compared to a stressed person who isnt depressed.

I think this is an interesting topic. I have learned alot just by reading the post. I have been stressed alot with working full time and going to school. I now am taking care of my godmother who has cancer. I think I am depressed a little also. i didn't realize that stress could lead to depression.