Acute stress can disrupt the brain\u2019s ability to manage emotions, particularly in people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder, according to a study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia found that stress can temporarily impair executive functions, which are mental processes like working memory, impulse control, and flexibility, crucial for regulating emotions and making decisions under pressure, Xinhua news agency reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese executive functions are vital for controlling emotional responses, especially in challenging situations,\u201d said Tee-Jay Scott, from the varsity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur findings suggest that people with distress-related disorders may be more vulnerable to having these executive functions disrupted under stress, even when their symptoms don\u2019t meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis,\u201d Scott added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Executive functions, such as working memory (holding and using information), response inhibition (resisting impulsive actions), and cognitive flexibility (adapting to change) are key to maintaining emotional balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team reviewed 17 international studies and found that stress significantly affects working memory in people with depression and weakens impulse control in those with borderline personality disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These findings may explain why some people respond poorly to common treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy, which rely on these very cognitive functions, said Joanne Dickson, the study\u2019s co-author and a professor at ECU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf acute stress is interfering with the mental processes that support emotion regulation, it could undermine a person\u2019s ability to benefit from these treatments, especially during periods of heightened distress,\u201d Dickson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the study confirms a pattern of executive function impairment under acute stress, the researchers say more research to understand individual differences and refine treatment strategies is needed. The researchers also suggested building up cognitive skills before tackling emotionally intense therapy sessions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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