What Is The Role Of Stress In The Development Of Mental Illness?

Posted on: May 17, 2016

News & Insights From Santa Monica Psychiatrist Katherine Watkins, M.D.

Chronic stress is intimately linked to mental health and the development of mental illness, although until recently the reason for the connection was not known. High levels of stress as well as chronic stress are correlated with the development of both anxiety and mood disorders, as well as with relapse in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders. Chronic stress is also associated with developing physical health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Some stress can be beneficial, preparing you to face a difficult or threatening situation by raising your heart rate or tensing your muscles. The problem is when stress is chronic and the body doesn’t return to its pre-stress physical state.

There are several physical differences in the brains of people with stress disorders (such as PTSD) compared to those without. One of the main differences is that in people with a stress disorder, the ratio of the brain’s gray matter to white matter is lower, particularly in certain areas of the brain. Gray matter consists of two types of cells: nerve cells, which process and encode new learning, and glial cells, which support the neurons and act as pruners or scavengers. It may be that stress changes the ability of the brain to regulate itself when exposed to a stressful situation.

How might this actually work? In animal studies, exposure to stress results in decreased dendritic spine density. So what is dendritic spine density? Think of a branch of a tree with many smaller branches and lots of leaves. This is what a healthy neuron looks like, with each smaller branch or leaf representing a connection to another nerve cell. In a neuron with decreased dendritic spine density there are fewer branches and leaves, making it harder for the neuron to do its job of encoding or communicating information. This seems to be especially true for neurons in the pre-frontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for regulating thought, emotion and action and planning what to do in response to a stimulus.

So what can you do to manage stress? The National Institute on Mental Health suggests the following coping strategies:

• Seek help from a qualified mental health care provider if you are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, have suicidal thoughts, or are using drugs or alcohol to cope.
• Get proper health care for existing or new health problems.
• Stay in touch with people who can provide emotional and other support. Ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations to reduce stress due to work burdens or family issues, such as caring for a loved one.
• Recognize signs of your body’s response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
• Set priorities-decide what must get done and what can wait, and learn to say no to new tasks if they are putting you into overload.
• Note what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
• Exercise regularly-just 30 minutes per day of gentle walking can help boost mood and reduce stress.
• Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
• Explore stress coping programs, which may incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle exercises.

If you or someone you know is overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health professional. If you or someone close to you is in crisis, call the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Posted in: Mental Health Issues