Is it better to be stressed or depressed?

Question

I was just thinking about the effects of both and how both make you feel.

Please don't say neither, but I really, really want honest opinions.

Answer 1

Neither, Stress and depression are very similar. in this aspect. they both take a toll on your mental well being and can make you sick in many other ways.

Answer 2

Stress beats depressed any day.
Stress has many causes - as does depression, but the causes are mostly external. Even though stress causes a lot of internal dialogue, and perhaps self criticism, it is usually possible to identify and solve the problem or conflict that is causing the stress, whether it be a coworker, spouse, or environmental factor.

Stress can be analyzed and defeated through positive actions on a person's part. You can yell, you can quit, you can divorce, you can move away, you can get a better job or more of whatever training you need to do a better job if it is job related stress.

Depression is often the result of failure - or perceived failure - and usually results in a lower self esteem and lower motivation. It is a downward spiral that often seems to feed upon itself. There is often the feeling of failure when no event occurred that the person failed at. there is nothing to do better. There is no way out. It is a nightmare of negativity that leads to despair and despondency. It decreases motivation because there is seemingly no target to attack or reject or work through. There seems to be no answer, which only adds to the depression.

People usually don't kill themselves when stressed. They do when they are depressed. Everyone feels stress. Everyone feels sad. But you usually know why you are sad and you get over it. You may not know why you are depressed, and you don't know how to get over it.

;-D Talking with friends is a good way to combat both problems!

Answer 3

I'm no professional on the subject nor do I feel the effects of either much (that I know of) but I would say that stress is better. Depression (I hear) can last a lifetime and you may not even know you are suffering from it. Stress is only a temporary condition and can sometimes even be positive if it motivates you.

Answer 4

Stress is good for you.... like a baby has to fuss when it learns to crawl. A little depression never hurt anyone either... Can we truly know when we are happy unless we have been truly sad? Now there is a difference between a little sadness and CLINICAL depression which would require medical help.
Stress makes me get busy.... I thrive under stress and get bored when there is no task at hand.
Depression makes me want to get a hair trim, pedicure and a long hot bath.... aaaahh CALGON TAKE ME AWAY

Answer 5

Well I'd rather be neither one but as far as your physical health goes everyone suffers from mild to sever depression many times throughout their lives but for those of us that suffer extreme periods of depression (ie: I was Diagnosed with Clinical Depression, Extreme PTSD (Viet Nam Vet), combined with physical, grief, and a Recovering substance abuse issues), may need to take medications and receive counseling to control our depression, where as most people just need a little time and maybe take some medication for a short period!! As far as Stress goes everyone goes through periods of mild to extreme stress many many times throughout their lives! Yes it is true that both stress and depression can affect your health (ie: Heart problems, Headaches etc), so either can cause mild to deadly consequences in ones life, but CLINICALLY speaking depression is the leading cause of death (suicide) in the younger and elder population where as stress is the leading cause of death in the 30 to 60 year old population!! Also according to the American Medical Association Depression is the worst of the two!!!

Answer 6

I think it's a bit cyclic. If you're depressed, it causes you stress because of it's effect on your life - things you can't/don't do. If you're stressed, it can lead to depression, especially if the situation is one in which you feel helpless to do anything. And both lead to physical changes within the body which can lead into other physical or emotional disturbances.
It's a no-win situation.

Answer 7

I don't really like either but I would have to say stressed as depression can become more malignant and cause alot more problems with mental health. Alot of people function better with some forms of stress in their life!

Answer 8

Stress is more or less a normal part of the human experience and can be adaptive, even motivating. It would be hard to put any kind of positive spin on depression, though.

Answer 9

Being totally stressed has made me depressed. And, being clinically depressed has stressed me out. For me, personally, they go hand in hand. When I'm stressed I feel like killing other people, and when I'm depressed I feel like killing myself. Not for real, of course, but that's the difference - stress is outward, depression is inward.

Answer 10

In my opinion, stressed is better. Stress seems to be more functional than depressed?