The psychiatric literature dealing with the significance of stress in the causation of depression is reviewed. Definitive studies await the indispensable conceptual tools of a comprehensive theory. The author suggests criteria for distinguishing normal from abnormal despondency, pathogenic from nonpathogenic losses, and stress-induced lowering of self-esteem from stress-released despair of self. These criteria define a structure for coordinating and classifying despondent states in their relationship to stress. The clinical and research utility of the model are suggested.Abstract Teaser