TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Daniel Hageman
You’ve heard people boast that they work better under pressure, and while you may think these people are just procrastinators there is some truth to it. Stress can keep you alert and motivated and is your body’s response to danger. When your body feels threatened, your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol – the stress hormones – these cause your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to rise. Stress prepares your body to flee or fight and can improve performance and help you rise up to challenges; however, running on danger-mode for prolonged periods of time can have negative effects on your health.
You’ve heard people boast that they work better under pressure, and while you may think these people are just procrastinators there is some truth to it. Stress can keep you alert and motivated and is your body’s response to danger. When your body feels threatened, your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol – the stress hormones – these cause your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to rise. Stress prepares your body to flee or fight and can improve performance and help you rise up to challenges; however, running on danger-mode for prolonged periods of time can have negative effects on your health.
Stress symptoms are not always recognizable and they can take over when you least expect them. Stress often affects sleep patterns, energy levels, appetite and sex drive[1] but can also have less obvious symptoms.
Our moods and emotions are also affected by stress. If we are put under too much pressure either at work or at home, we can react by being angry most of the time, becoming overly emotional, and even showing restlessness and agitation. On the other hand, stress can also cause a person to shut down completely and freeze under pressure, some people describe the feeling as being paralyzed on the outside but exploding on the inside.
[img source: helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm]
According to WebMD, sustained or chronic stress leads to elevated cortisol and reduced serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, which has been linked to depression. Depression, in turn, can also be considered a chronic stressor, making this a catch-22 of sorts.
For those already suffering the debilitating effects of depression , adding stress can complicate things even further. Experts call this connection the ‘kindling effect’, this theory surmises that initial depressive episodes can spark changes in the brain’s chemistry and limbic system that make it more prone to developing future episodes of depression[2]. Based on this theory, even small stressors can lead to a depressive episode if the person is already vulnerable.
In order to stop stress on its tracks, you need to first identify what stresses you out; is it your job? your family? traffic? a specific person or event? Avoid these circumstances to prevent long-term exposure to stress. If your body feels the need to be amped up all the time it will get used to that state and it’ll be harder to tone it down.
It is very hard to completely eliminate stress from your daily life; most things are out of your control. But it is possible to adapt your lifestyle so that the things you are in control of can help you relax. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing techniques can help your system calm down and remain relaxed and collected under pressure[3].
Remember to discuss these stressors with your therapist or doctor and not bottle up your symptoms or deny them. Accepting that you are stressed out is not a sign of weakness or softness and confiding in a friend or family member can help you prevent further complications. Remember that stress can be a tricky enemy and can take control if you let it.
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