Chronic stress is the response of the brain to unpleasant events for a prolonged period over which an individual perceives it has no control. It involves an endocrine system response in which occurs a release of corticosteroids. This if continuous for a long time can cause damage to an individual's physical and mental health.
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Animals exposed to distressful events over which they have no control respond by releasing of corticosteroids.[1][2] These if prolonged lead to structural changes in their brains. Changes happen to neurons and their synapses in the hippocampus[3] and medial prefrontal cortex[4] These produce impairments in working memory,[5] and spatial memory[5] .
Linked to impairment to medial prefrontal cortex are deficits in the part of the striatum with which it is linked.[6] The circuit between them processes higher level associations that underlie behavioral flexibility and the ability to link changes in behavior with desired outcomes. With impairment of this circuits is a hypertrophy of the brain circuits in the striatum dealing with the sensorimotor processes that underlie habits.[6] As a result, individuals shift from flexible behavior to one dominated by automatic actions.[6] Changes also occur to dopaminergic activity in the prefrontal cortex.[5]
In severe cases it can lead to panic attacks or a panic disorder. Stress plays a role in triggering or worsening depression and cardiovascular disease and in speeding the progression of HIV/AIDS.[8] TreatmentMain article: Stress
management
There are a variety of methods to control chronic stress, including exercise, healthy diet, stress management, relaxation techniques, adequate rest, and relaxing hobbies. It has been suggested that magnesium supplements can help.[9] See alsoNotes
Further reading
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Chronic stress is when a person/animal is affected mentally and gets stressed. This pressure(influence) is usually long-lasting and can, in some cases, be ever-lasting. It is long-lasting stress which can lead to illness and mentally messed up.
   | Alterations in magnesium and oxidative status during chronic emotional stress - Alterations in magnesium and oxidative status duri...[Magnes Res. 2000] - PubMed Result |
| | Psychological stress and disease. - JAMA -- Psychological Stress and Disease, October 10, 2007, Cohen et al. 298 (14): 1685 |
| | De-Stress Kit for the Changing Times - De-Stress Kit for the Changing Times. Doc Childre, Institute of HeartMath |
| | Self-reported stress and subsequent hospital admissions as a result of hypertension, varicose veins and haemorrhoids - Self-reported stress and subsequent hospital admissions as a result of hypertension, varicose veins and haemorrhoids -- Metcalfe et al. 25 (1): 62 -- Journal of Public Health |
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