{"id":39311,"date":"2018-08-31T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=39311"},"modified":"2024-02-19T17:32:23","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T22:32:23","slug":"when-stress-is-toxic-your-brain-and-stress-response","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/when-stress-is-toxic-your-brain-and-stress-response-0831185","title":{"rendered":"When Stress Is Toxic: Your Brain and Stress Response"},"content":{"rendered":"

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During times of stress<\/a>, we often feel as if we are \u201closing it.\u201d We can feel consumed by paralyzing anxiety<\/a>. At this point, our brains often can no longer experience the functioning of higher executive areas of the brain, and this leads to times where the brain goes \u201cblank,\u201d such as during a major exam.<\/p>\n

What Is Stress?<\/h2>\n

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress is \u201cthe brain\u2019s response to any demand.\u201d This definition shows that stress is normal and necessary and not necessarily harmful. It becomes harmful when it is excessive. Excessive stress is toxic stress.<\/p>\n

The Prefrontal Cortex<\/h2>\n

The prefrontal cortex<\/a> is the part of the brain that serves as a control center to our emotions, keeping our impulse nature in check. In extremely stressful situations, the brain sends chemicals away from the prefrontal cortex towards the hypothalamus<\/a>, which manages the stressful feelings.<\/p>\n

The prefrontal cortex is sensitive to stress. This region of the brain does not fully reach maturity until after one\u2019s teen years. Home to the neural circuitry for abstract thought, it is also responsible for concentration and helping us stay on task while storing information in our working memory.<\/p>\n

When unstressed, the neurons within the executive center of the prefrontal cortex run smoothly and help us solve problems and think calmly. When stress hits, our brains become flooded with norepinephrine and dopamine<\/a>, which are arousal chemicals. They tell the prefrontal cortex to shut off neuron firing.<\/p>\n

Stress Hormones<\/h2>\n

At the same time, the adrenal glands tell our bodies to release the stress hormone cortisol<\/a>, which also invades the prefrontal cortex. In fact, studies show that after exposure to neurotransmitters or stress hormones, the neurons in the prefrontal cortex disconnect and stop firing.<\/p>\n

Studies have shown that when a person is exposed to extended periods of excessive stress, the areas of the brain involved with sustained reasoning start to shrivel, the dendrites in the amygdala<\/a> enlarge, and those in the prefrontal cortex shrink. In fact, it has been found that when a person is exposed to an extensive level of stress, prefrontal gray matter shrinks.<\/p>\n

High levels of cortisol wear down the brain\u2019s ability to function properly. In addition, extended levels of elevated stress can kill brain cells, even leading to the reduction of the size of the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

High levels of cortisol wear down the brain\u2019s ability to function properly. In addition, extended levels of elevated stress can kill brain cells, even leading to the reduction of the size of the brain.<\/p>\n

Scientists hope to use what they learn about the brain\u2019s response to stress and what causes it to degenerate from reflective to reflexive. Current research may lead to effective treatments for stress.<\/p>\n

Things That Cause Stress<\/h2>\n

Childhood stressors include exposure to violence, abuse<\/a> of all types, neglect<\/a>, and divorce\/relationship conflict<\/a> of parents. The consequences of these stressors are affect dysregulation, provocative behaviors, poor school performance, anxiety, depression<\/a>, avoidance of intimacy, and disturbance of attachment.<\/p>\n

Exposure to chronic stressors in childhood lead to lifelong neurobiological disorders, which result in long-term issues such as mood disorders, anxiety, immune dysfunctions, medical issues, structural changes in the brain, and lowered age of death.<\/p>\n

Adult stressors tend to be mainly caused by these same childhood experiences and their consequences over time, including major medical issues. Over time, adults with stress have often resorted to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which can also contribute to increased stress. These include substance abuse<\/a>, dangerous living environments, and other unhealthy lifestyle choices.<\/p>\n

Managing Stress<\/h2>\n

Currently, the best methods for managing stress include relaxation exercises, deep breathing, meditation<\/a>, and medication.<\/p>\n

When in a stressful situation, we can learn to help ourselves in the moment by using cognitive behavior strategies. These include the above mentioned suggestions as well as:<\/p>\n