Depression, CVD, metabolic syndrome all have stress as a root cause say a couple of studies done in the US, Australia and UK. With recession hitting us hard we need to manage this effectively.

Team@CMHF

The complex 21st century stress overload from economic, environmental, social and psychological factors has far-reaching effects on health worldwide.

Depression, adrenal fatigue and metabolic syndrome can arise as stress maladaptations and are intimately related, yet are often slow to be recognized, if at all, by conventional medicine.

Dr. Wilson will instruct Australian physicians to identify, differentiate and treat disruptions of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, adrenal dysfunction and imbalances in cortisol, one of the primary hormones secreted by the adrenals under stress.

Dysregulation of the HPA axis is one of the most common findings in patients with major depression and can disrupt optimal physiological and metabolic balance over time, as well as lower stress tolerance. Health problems that result are largely related to the levels of cortisol being produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol levels affect the expression of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin – imbalances of which are associated with depression.

Cortisol has a profound effect on every organ and system in the body. Both low and high cortisol can negatively affect sleep, libido, concentration, blood sugar metabolism, energy and immune function, among others. Dr. Wilson coined the phrase, The Cortisol Tightrope Walk™ to illustrate how this hormone affects health at both ends of its expression.

Chronically high levels of cortisol and glucose can lead to metabolic syndrome –Metabolic syndrome is a predisposing factor in heart disease and diabetes.

Ref: http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Is-Stress-Increasing-Our-Risk-for-Depression-3431876.php