Stress and Depression: Recognizing Symptoms
COLLINS: With job layoffs, a bear market and an uncertainty of the future, it's no wonder people are stressed. When do you know that stress is getting out of control, though, and leading to depression? Here now is CNN's Judy Fortin with today's "30, 40, 50."</s>JUDY FORTIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Eben Jones always thought his sadness was a normal part of aging.</s>EBEN JONES, SUFFERS FROM DEPRESSION: I turn into a very serious person.</s>FORTIN: But as he got older, Jones realized it was more than that. A former military man with three kids, he was always stressed and feeling down didn't make it any easier. After suffering three strokes, Jones attempted suicide, twice. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with clinical depression.</s>JONES: The doctor told me basically how some people look through rose-colored glasses. I was looking through dirty brown glasses at everything.</s>FORTIN: Doctor's say Jones is not unusual, because as we age, everyday stress can trigger undiagnosed depression.</s>DR. PATRICE HARRIS, PSYCHIATRIST: Untreated depression can lead to significant health risks, can lead to suicide, can lead to decreased ability to function at work. Decreased ability to have meaningful relationships.</s>FORTIN: In your 30s, things like determining your career path, buying a house, starting a family can all be major sources of stress. And today's economy doesn't help.</s>HARRIS: When you certainly lose your ability to care for your family, pay your mortgage, handle your monthly expenses, that certainly adds to one's level of stress.</s>FORTIN: And in your 40s and 50s, children often lead for school, which can bring on emptiness syndrome.</s>HARRIS: Also in their 50s, folks are thinking about retirement. Do they have enough money? What are they going to do?</s>FORTIN: As for Jones, he is receiving treatment and this summer started volunteering, helping others in similar situations.</s>JONES: I laugh a lot more now and smile a lot more, because I seem to enjoy things. A lot more than I used to.</s>FORTIN: Judy Fortin, CNN, Atlanta.