It is easy for us to get emotional during stressful situations. This could happen when we have a personal setback, a breakup, a big move, or when we lose a loved one. We feel the pangs of stressful situations with varying degrees of anger, fear, grief, or sadness. Usually, these sorts of emotions pass with time.
When the emotions linked to stress become overwhelming or prolonged, a person may experience a minor depression. It may even sometimes progress to the point of a major depressive disorder (clinical depression). Clinical depression and bipolar depression usually go hand-in-hand with other risk factors, such as genetics.
Falling into a depression, you may experience symptoms such as a change in weight or a lack of energy. For some people, the toll of depression can be serious enough to lead to thoughts of suicide.
The stress surrounding pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes lead to feelings of sadness and confusion. These feelings can range from a brief attack of "baby blues" to a serious and major clinical depression known as postpartum depression, which occurs in approximately 10% to 15% of new mothers.
Should you experience the symptoms of depression, you should talk to a doctor about it. There may be treatment options, including antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, alternative medicine remedies, and the benefits of exercise.