Cortisol is a steroid hormone that becomes released by the adrenal glands during stressful situations. Besides stress, there are other factors that can elevate cortisol levels such as caffeine, sleep deprivation, severe trauma, anorexia, and severe calorie restriction. Cortisol helps to raise blood sugar levels when levels become low and it helps the body respond to stress. However, if the body constantly faces excessive stress, then increased cortisol can later cause serious health problems (1). Cortisol links two parts of the brain, the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, to work together to shut down negative emotions. Yet, weak interactions between these two brain parts can sometimes curb the common stress response, causing one to not respond properly to normal daily activities (2).
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that becomes released by the adrenal glands during stressful situations. Besides stress, there are other factors that can elevate cortisol levels such as caffeine, sleep deprivation, severe trauma, anorexia, and severe calorie restriction. Cortisol helps to raise blood sugar levels when levels become low and it helps the body respond to stress. However, if the body constantly faces excessive stress, then increased cortisol can later cause serious health problems (1). Cortisol links two parts of the brain, the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, to work together to shut down negative emotions. Yet, weak interactions between these two brain parts can sometimes curb the common stress response, causing one to not respond properly to normal daily activities (2).
Depression is a very serious illness that affects many people; however, not until recently has research proved that stress in females at a young age may permanently alter the brain and contribute to depression and anxiety later in life. At four years old, a girl experiencing early life trauma and stressful events such as detachment from parents can later experience permanent effects on the brain, even as early as age eighteen (2). Some examples of early life traumas include physical and sexual trauma, chaotic environments at home, and strained relationships between parents and children. Although stressful events can occur in many young girls’ homes, the effects of increased levels of cortisol and stress may not be exposed until too late (4).
Depression is a very serious illness that affects many people; however, not until recently has research proved that stress in females at a young age may permanently alter the brain and contribute to depression and anxiety later in life. At four years old, a girl experiencing early life trauma and stressful events such as detachment from parents can later experience permanent effects on the brain, even as early as age eighteen (2). Some examples of early life traumas include physical and sexual trauma, chaotic environments at home, and strained relationships between parents and children. Although stressful events can occur in many young girls’ homes, the effects of increased levels of cortisol and stress may not be exposed until too late (4).
A prominent study of this correlation of childhood stress and depression was the Wisconsin Study of Families and Work led by Marilyn Essex. In this study, four-year old children were exposed to stressful situations such as maternal depression and parental arguments to determine the impact of stress on human development (6). The patients in this study had medical information samples taken from their birth to early adulthood. From these samples they determined that the four-year olds with higher levels of everyday stress tend to have higher amounts of cortisol in their saliva than the children without the higher stress. When these children had elevated levels of cortisol, they displayed more aggression, impulsivity, and other behavioral problems as early as just two years later. Then fourteen years later, at age eighteen, the brain started to function differently, but not in a positive way (2).
To test the brain of the eighteen year olds, researchers scanned their brain regions to determine the connectivity. One of the brain regions, the amygdala, has the function of processing fear and emotion (7). Another brain region, the prefrontal cortex is involved in curbing the amygdala’s stress response (2). When the brain has strong connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, typically there are lower levels of cortisol. If the two brain regions have weak connectivity, there are higher levels of cortisol (8). Therefore, when these two areas do not communicate, it becomes difficult to project proper emotions to stressful situations. This further leads to inability to cope and vulnerability to depressive and anxiety disorders.
This study presents opposing arguments. Some argue that a child can stress later in life and still have these differences in the brain, and stressful situations do not have to start at such a young age. Also, it is argued that stress does not correlate with the differences in the brain. For example, in a recent study, girls with higher scores on anxiety tests had weaker connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, correlating with the idea ‘s of the Wisconsin Study of Families and Work (5). Yet, girls with higher depression levels had a stronger connection between these two areas, which is questionable to researchers. Although this result contrasts with the association of early stress to later depression and anxiety problems, there have been many more studies and trials to prove this theory. For example, the Wisconsin Study of Families and Work began in 1990 and has included 570 families in their research, having a majority of consistent results (6). Continuing to perform multiple studies can increase and solidify the understanding of how stress affects the brain and can possibly prevent long-term disorders for children living in stressful environments.
This study presents opposing arguments. Some argue that a child can stress later in life and still have these differences in the brain, and stressful situations do not have to start at such a young age. Also, it is argued that stress does not correlate with the differences in the brain. For example, in a recent study, girls with higher scores on anxiety tests had weaker connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, correlating with the idea ‘s of the Wisconsin Study of Families and Work (5). Yet, girls with higher depression levels had a stronger connection between these two areas, which is questionable to researchers. Although this result contrasts with the association of early stress to later depression and anxiety problems, there have been many more studies and trials to prove this theory. For example, the Wisconsin Study of Families and Work began in 1990 and has included 570 families in their research, having a majority of consistent results (6). Continuing to perform multiple studies can increase and solidify the understanding of how stress affects the brain and can possibly prevent long-term disorders for children living in stressful environments.
Works Cited
1.
http://www.nature.com/news/infant-stress-affects-teen-brain-1.11786
Hughes, Virginia. "Infant Stress Affects Teen Brain." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.
2.
http://www.news.wisc.edu/21255
"Early Stress May Sensitize Girls' Brains for Later Anxiety." Early Stress May Sensitize Girls’ Brains for Later Anxiety. University of Wisconsin-Madison News, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://www.news.wisc.edu/21255>.
3. http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=266c9d3a-4654-4883-b55d-1d3fb0d5419b%40sessionmgr10&vid=3&hid=17
Kallen, V.L., J.H.M. Tulen, E.M.W.J. Utens, P.D.A. Treffers, F.H. De Jong, and R.F. Ferdinand. "Associations between HPA Axis Functioning and Level of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with an Anxiety Disorder." Depression and Anxiety 25.2 (2008): 131-41. Print.
4.
http://link.springer.com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/article/10.1007/s00213-010-2007-4/fulltext.html
Carpenter, Linda L., Thaddeus T. Shattuck, Audrey R. Tyrka, Thomas D. Geracioti, and Lawrence H. Price. "Effect of Childhood Physical Abuse on Cortisol Stress Response." Psychopharmacology 214.1 (2011): 367-75. Print.
5. http://download.springer.com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/static/pdf/32/art%253A10.1007%252FBF01342754.pdf?auth66=1363024862_ae6121c75ebb69fbc167899a2788a159&ext=.pdf
Armsden, Gay C., Elizabeth McCauley, Mark T. Greenberg, Patrick M. Burke, and Jeffrey R. Mitchell. "Parent and Peer Attachment in Early Adolescent Depression." Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 18.6 (1990): 683-97. Print.
6.
http://128.104.130.44/webdocs/researchers.htm
Hughes, Virginia. "Infant Stress Affects Teen Brain." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.
7.
http://www.horicon.lib.wi.us/brain%20development/teen%20stress.html
"Teen Stress and the Amygdala." Teen Stress and the Amygdala. Library Brains, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://www.horicon.lib.wi.us/brain development/teen stress.html>.
8.
http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/anxiety/early-exposure-to-stress-at-home-affects-girls-brains-study-says
Dotinga, Randy. "Early Exposure to Stress at Home Affects Girls' Brains, Study Says."MSN Healthy Living. N.p., 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/anxiety/early-exposure-to-stress-at-home-affects-girls-brains-study-says>.
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