07/25/2024
COVID brought so much fear, especially in its infancy when so much was unknown. Fear releases cortisol which in turn....
Slows down nonessential or harmful functions during a fight-or-flight response
Impairs memory signals in the hippocampus, but it can also increase connectivity in that part of the brain. This may help explain why people remember emotional experiences better during an acute stress response.
Acts as a neurotransmitter, responsible for chemical communication in the brain. Too much cortisol can disrupt chemical signaling, which can lead to neurological symptoms like memory loss, depression, fatigue, and insomnia.
If there is a buildup of cortisol in the brain it can interfere with brain function, causing "brain fog".
Long-term exposure to high levels of cortisol can destroy brain cells and lead to brain shrinkage.
During the pandemic, adolescents su***de rates surged to 30%, Depression rates went up 22%, and anxiety hit an all time high. Both small children and adolescents were laden with fear that simply stepping out of their door could do grave harm to their families. We see this especially in city areas where apartment bound families couldn't even enjoy fresh air. School was removed, friends were taken away, and everything changed for our kiddos. All in a moment's notice.
Only now are we seeing the residual of the post trauma effects. Anxiety and toxic stress cause the brain to shift. This brings along with it, an inability to concentrate, exaggerated behavioral responses, and more.
