Saturday, March 05, 2011
When the body is under a state of stress it responds by producing stress hormones. Then, once the stressful event has passed, the body begins the process of breaking down the excess levels. The neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin help to get rid of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and, o...
Can the cumulative effects of excess cortisol like the damage it does to our brain be corrected? Or once the damage is done, is there no remedy.
Hi Donna
The brain has a certain capacity to recover and make new connections but I think in cases of chronic stress this capacity is much diminished.
Sorry, that comment was actually from Jerry Kennard. Once again I logged in using my wife's pc and find I'm unable to edit or delete the original!
Hi Donna.
As a person who has lived with the symptoms of poorly-controlled panic disorder for 35 years, I can personally attest to Jerry's response that recovery capacity is diminished.
Upon reaching the 31 year mark, the deficits from persistent symptoms became so intense I was declared disabled.
After 4 continuous years of treatment, I recovered enough to lose my housebound status and become employed part time. I am now employed full time but at 25% of my former income, mostly because I am mentally and physically unable to perform the tasks that were second nature to me in my former role.
I've made peace with the deficits and have focused my efforts on moving forward the best I can.