<prompt> Higher cortisol levels are seen in w hich of the following conditions?DepressionPhobiaSchizophreniaParkinsonism  <response>: A Depression Higher cortisol stress levels in depressed individuals. Fig shows the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Depression In normal controls, dexamethasone leads to feedback inhibition of cortisol. In depressed patients, dexamethasone seems less able to produce feedback inhibition of cortisol a faulty H-B-A system. Sleep and Depression: Depressed patients spend littleno time in deep stage 34 sleep remember that cortisol levels normally Fall during the night and rise just before we wake up, but may remain elevated in depressed patients. 