Stress and anxiety are perfectly normal feelings to experience throughout the course of a day. In fact, stress and anxiety are the body’s natural reactions to certain events or situations. While for many people, stress and anxiety are temporary, for others, the feelings can continue to linger long after the event or situation is over and, in some cases, even pop up for no reason. When this happens, it can lead to deeper, more severe mental health challenges.

While unaddressed anxiety and stress can manifest into mental health disorders, can stress and anxiety cause depression? In this blog, we will look to answer that very question by exploring the relationship between anxiety, stress, and depression, including how they are connected, why some people are more vulnerable than others, and what you can do to prevent or manage these conditions.

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Understanding the Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Although stress, anxiety, and depression are distinct in terms of definitions and symptoms, they can occur together and even influence one another. Chronic stress can fuel anxiety, and long-term anxiety can exhaust the body and mind, sometimes resulting in depressive symptoms. This cycle can create a downward spiral that is difficult to escape without appropriate help.

To better understand how all three are interconnected, let’s take a look at and define each one on its own:

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to any demand or challenge. While most people associate stress with only bad things happening, stress can actually be caused by both positive and negative events. Because of this, stress isn’t always harmful. In fact, in small doses, stress can help someone stay motivated and alert. Chronic stress, however, is what can take a toll on a person’s mental and physical health.

Types and Causes

There are several different types of stress, each with unique triggers:

Acute stress – A short-term response to an immediate challenge (e.g., public speaking).
Chronic stress – Long-term exposure to stressors, such as job dissatisfaction, financial difficulties, or family conflict.
Traumatic stress – Resulting from events like accidents, assault, or natural disasters.

Stress can be brought on by many factors, both good and bad, as we mentioned. Some of the common causes of stress include:

Work-related pressures
Relationship problems
Academic demands
Health issues
Financial instability
Major life changes

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the persistent feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear, often disproportionate to the actual threat or situation. While, like stress, everyone experiences anxiety occasionally, anxiety disorders are more intense, last longer, and interfere with daily life.

Symptoms and Impact

Anxiety can manifest in various ways, both emotionally and physically. Some of the more common “symptoms” of anxiety are:

Constant worry or fear
Restlessness
Racing thoughts
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbances
Panic attacks

Prolonged anxiety can affect a person’s emotional well-being, relationships, job performance, and overall quality of life. It can also increase the risk of developing other mental health disorders, such as depression.

What Is Depression?

Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a common but serious mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It affects how people feel, think, and handle daily activities.

Some of the more common symptoms of depression include:

Persistent sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies
Fatigue or low energy
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Changes in appetite or weight
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide

How Stress Can Lead to Depression Over Time

So, how are all three intertwined? Well, let’s first start with the connection between stress and depression.

When a person experiences stress, it triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While this can be helpful in short bursts, chronic stress keeps the body in a prolonged state of arousal, which can eventually wear down the brain’s resilience and emotional regulation.

Someone under continuous stress may experience:

Irritability
Sleep issues
Withdrawal from social interactions
Poor self-care
Fatigue and burnout

Over time, these symptoms can shift into clinical depression, especially when stress feels uncontrollable or inescapable.

The Role of Chronic Anxiety in the Development of Depression

Then there’s the role that anxiety plays in all of this.

When anxiety becomes chronic, it can lead to a state of emotional exhaustion. The brain is constantly on high alert, anticipating danger and trying to protect itself, which takes a massive toll on emotional resources.

Chronic anxiety may lead to:

Hopelessness
Feelings of failure or inadequacy
Loss of motivation
Social isolation

The longer anxiety persists without proper management, the more likely it becomes that depression will follow, especially if the person feels like nothing will ever improve.

Biological and Psychological Links Between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression share many of the same neurochemical and psychological mechanisms. They have both also been known to cause chemical imbalances in the brain, specifically as it relates to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

The Impact of Stress Hormones on Mood and Brain Chemistry

Stress plays a role in all this because chronic stress can increase the levels of cortisol in the brain, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels can cause:

The prefrontal cortex to shrink (which regulates emotions)
A disruption in serotonin production (which affects mood)
The overstimulation of the amygdala (which is associated with fear and anxiety)

All of these biological changes not only perpetuate stress and anxiety, but they can also lead to depression.

Shared Risk Factors for Anxiety, Stress, and Depression

While all three are their own separate and unique condition, as we have seen, they also share similar components as well as risk factors.

Some of the risk factors that all three share include:

Genetics
Personality traits
Early trauma
Chronic illness or pain
Substance use
Social isolation

Can Untreated Anxiety Turn Into Depression?

The short answer here is yes.

When someone lives in a constant state of fear, worry, and unease, their ability to find joy or hope is gradually eroded. Over time, this can give way to feelings of numbness, hopelessness, and despair, all hallmarks of depression.

Warning Signs You May Be Experiencing Both Anxiety and Depression

So, how can you tell if you or a loved one is experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression in an unhealthy manner? Well, be on the lookout for some of the following warning signs:

Constant worry coupled with a persistent low mood
Fatigue and lack of motivation
Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
Irritability and hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities and racing thoughts
Social withdrawal and feelings of guilt or worthlessness

If any of these symptoms have reached a level where they are directly interfering with your or your loved one’s ability to go about their daily life, it may be a sign that professional intervention is needed.

How These Conditions Affect Daily Life and Functioning

What are some of the ways in which they can interfere with your ability to go about your daily life? Some of the more common ones include:

Decreased productivity at work or school
Relationship strain due to mood swings or emotional unavailability
Neglecting self-care or basic responsibilities
Increased risk of substance abuse or self-harm
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

In some instances, the symptoms may be so severe that something as simple as getting out of bed and going to work may feel impossible.

Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Anxiety and Depression

The good news is that, should you or someone you know be experiencing this, anxiety and depression are treatable.

Treatment for stress, anxiety, and/or depression may involve any of the following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns.
Medication – Antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) can help regulate brain chemistry.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques – Meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga help reduce stress.
Lifestyle changes – Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quality sleep promote emotional stability.
Support groups – Connecting with others who understand your experience can provide validation and reduce isolation.

Coping Strategies to Manage Stress and Prevent Depression

Beyond just the formal treatment modalities listed above, there are other things you can do on your own throughout the day in order to effectively manage stress and reduce the risk of depression.

These include:

Establishing healthy boundaries
Practicing mindfulness
Prioritizing mental health
Staying connected
Taking breaks