Effects and Solutions of Stress
Kennedie Montoya
Grand Canyon University: PSY-102
November 16, 2014

Effects and Solutions of Stress
American Psychological Association studies show that 75% of adults have stated that they experienced moderate to high levels of stress in the past thirty days (Esmond, 2009). Year after year, stress levels are getting higher and higher. Everyone is unique and all acquire stress form different aspects in their lives, but most do not know the repercussions that may come with stress. Many people accept that stress is a part of life that must be dealt with when it is not. Stress, often times, is overlooked because people have a vague idea of where in the brain it affects, how stress affects their body, and that treatment is available.
Effects of Stress on the Brain
The brain is a complex organ that is highly affected when a person suffers from stress. Stress, large or small, has many effects, such as shrinkage of the brain, killing of brain cells, and diminishing memory. There is a factor known as GATA1 in the brain that is activated by stress. When GATA1 is activated, it lowers the synaptic connections that occur in the brain (Frazier, N.D.). The fewer the connections, the lower the volume of the brain is. Fortunately, this is not permanent and can be cured. The chemicals that carry messages from one nerve cell to another become depleted, and the brain becomes sluggish and inefficient (Frazier, N.D.). Symptoms that could come from this would be depression, difficulty sleeping, difficulty of learning, absent mindedness, and obsessive or compulsive disorders (Boyles, 2007).
When the body is attacked with stress, the brain releases adrenaline which increases heart rate in order for the brain to flight, freeze, or flee (Boyles, 2007). When the threat continues, glucocorticoids, a hormone that helps the brain continue to function, will