I attended a talk on stress at the Mandala Ashram in Wales by Dr Hania Kramlund, a yoga practitioner and GP working in Sweden. Her knowledge of stress and its treatment is both scientific and spiritual, plus she has first hand experience: she says she’s treating increasing numbers of patients with the condition. In her talk she touched on the history and science of stress as well as remedies. In this article I’ve also used information from Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson, a book she recommended.
History
The concept of stress was first recognised during Industrial revolution. In 1879 the neurologist George Miller Beard spoke of ‘neurasthenia’ or exhaustion of the central nervous system’s energy reserves. This was attributed to modern civilisation and the feeling of being a cog in a big machine.
In 1958 the endocrinologist Hans Selye coined the word stress and emphasised the role of the mind in the function of the body.
In 1980 the psychologist Christine Maslach conducted research into occupational burnout, an inability to cope with stress in the workplace.
In the 21st century, we have to deal with the stress of always being online. We are now always able to work, plus we can be overloaded with information. Hania said that feelings of loneliness and vulnerability had increased, as well as sick leave due to stress.
Biology
When we first encounter a threat, the occipital cortex, our means of perception, sends a message to:
- the prefrontal cortex. This gives a sophisticated analysis, but the response is slow.
- the hippocampus. This gives a fast, but perhaps not accurate evaluation. The hippocampus compares the information with previous remembered experience and, if a threat is assumed, sends information to the amygdala, which reacts immediately. The amygdala sends messages to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic pituary adrenal axis (HPAA) of the endocrine system. The SNS sends signals to the major organs and muscle groups, priming them for flight or fight, while the hypothalamus prompts the pituitary gland to release stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol.
For example, there is the well-known example from the Upanishads of a man mistaking a rope for a snake in the jungle. He spots what he believes is a snake. Straightaway his amygdala reacts and he’s primed for action with his body on alert and adrenalin rushing through his system. However, some seconds later his prefrontal cortex kicks in and he can see it’s only a snake.
These reactions are useful when we’re under threat, but very damaging when we experience them over and over again. Repeated SNS/HPAA activation lowers serotonin (regulates mood) and norepinephrine (alerts and arouses), as well as cortisol (suppresses the immune system to reduce inflammation from wounds). Cortisol is usually recharged during sleep, with levels highest in the morning and lowest at night. In the initial stages of stress it is elevated, but when a person suffers prolonged stress, cortisol reserves remain low and they suffer ‘burnout’. It may take months or even years for levels to become normal again.
Effects of Prolonged Stress
- chronic tiredness
- sleeping disorders (usually what happens before burnout)
- memory disturbance
- mood fluctuations
- depression
- lack of concentration and memory loss
- hyper sensitivity to sensory input
- lower back pain
- fat belly
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- low levels of sexual hormones
Ways of combating stress
- The first thing to do is be sympathetic to the sufferer, counsels Hania. Try and get them to release themselves from their responsibilities. SSRIs (anti-depressants) and sleeping medicines may help, at least in the short-term.
- As the sufferer becomes more balanced, they should be encouraged to take up moderate physical activity and engage in CBT/talk support. They should also look at ways of creating new behavioural patterns as well as ending negative relationships and being open to healthier ones.
- When the sufferer is stable, they can explore ways of changing their lives so that burnout doesn’t happen again.