Stress vs. Depression in Palo Alto

In reading the article about how Palo Alto schools are making efforts to reduce stress in their students, one particular line struck me. The Superintendent of the Palo Alto High School District reported that "students who spoke at our last board meeting and to me...have pointed out that stress and depression are not the same." I was surprised the thought hadn't occurred to me before, and I found I agreed in full. I decided to do additional research on stress vs. depression, and the role that stress plays in exacerbating symptoms and bouts.


Although many who are stressed may claim to start feeling depressed, there is a clear difference between the temporary strains on one's life and a chronic, genetically influenced disorder. The District Superintendent also pointed out that "While some in the community are quick to blame academic stress as a causal factor, it has not been a contributing factor to recent deaths." This is partially true. Stress alone is not usually the lone factor in a suicide case. Mental Health America outlines the differences between stress and depression in an article about knowing the difference between the two. Although "thoughts of suicide" is listed on the depression side, and not on the stress side, academic stress can contribute to depression and ultimately lead to suicide in students. However, stress alone will not cause a student to take his or her own life, because it is usually referred to as a temporary condition that has different treatments than does clinical depression.


Although stress and depression are clearly not the same ailments that afflict strained students worldwide, there are small connections between the two. In an article by Harvard Medical School about the causes of depression, chemical evidence shows a correlation between stress levels and brain anatomy typical of a depressed person. When the level of stress hormone levels in a person are high due to external influences, and they are continuously high for a prolonged period of time, the production of new nerve cells is impaired. This lack in neuron production prevents higher moods since there are fewer nerve cells to make connections to allow neurotransmitters that may raise moods to move. 


The most solidifying evidence for me was in an article by the Mayo Clinic. The organization writes "Chronic stressful life situations can increase the risk of developing depression if you aren't coping with the stress well." If poor coping mechanisms are the connection between academic stress and suicide in Palo Alto, why isn't action being taken there? The Superintendent and students he has spoken to agree that stress and depression are not the same thing. Although stress can contribute to development of depression, it is not a direct relationship, and the middle decider is the student him or herself. 


If you were curious about how you rated on the stress and depression meters, I found a cool quiz to help stimulate self awareness and keep these two afflictions in check.