Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, be it before an exam or a crucial client meeting, making it extremely common. For many people, anxiety goes away once the stressful situation is over, however, this anxiety can be consistent for someone experiencing an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders not only affect the body and mind but can also have a significant impact on the brain, especially in the long run. In this article, we’ll discuss how long-term anxiety impacts the function and structure of the brain
Anxiety and Amygdala
The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped part of the brain. This part is also known as the brain’s fear centre, as it is responsible for responding to fearful situations or objects. Research suggests that chronic anxiety affects the functioning of the amygdala. Anxiety often causes the amygdala to be enlarged. This enlargement causes the amygdala to become hyperactive in stressful situations. This heightened sensitivity can create a vicious cycle, where even minor stressors trigger intense fear responses.
Over time, hyperactivity in the amygdala can contribute to increased anxiety symptoms, making people susceptible to panic attacks and other anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety And Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a crucial part of the brain, responsible for functions associated with memory and learning. Chronic anxiety can reduce the volume of the hippocampus, causing it to shrink in size. This shrinking can lead to impairments in the workings of the hippocampus. Impairments in the hippocampus can cause problems in memory, leading to difficulties in remembering old information and the formation of new memories.
The hippocampus is also responsible for connecting memories with the locations where they occurred. This explains why people with anxiety disorders may avoid specific places because they connect them with negative experiences from the past.
Anxiety And Stress Hormones
The sympathetic nervous system in the body plays a crucial role in anxiety. It is responsible for responding to stressful situations. During stress, the sympathetic nervous system releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to make the body ready for incoming difficulty. Once the stressful situation is over, the parasympathetic nervous system calms the body down. However, for people with chronic anxiety, the stress hormones continue to be released even after the danger is over. Increased cortisol levels can slow down the process of neurogenesis (the formation of new neural pathways)
Anxiety And Pre-Frontal Cortex
The pre-frontal cortex is a part of the brain responsible for higher-order functions such as decision-making, planning, and problem-solving. and self-control. Chronic anxiety can cause the PFC to be small and underactive, impairing its functioning. Impaired PFC function can lead to problems with decision-making and rationalizing. It can also lead to difficulties with emotional regulation. Additionally, anxiety can disrupt the connection between the PFC and the amygdala, causing difficulties in rational thinking, which can make it even more difficult to deal with anxiety, creating a vicious cycle
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
The ACC plays a role in emotional regulation, attention, impulse control and pain perception. Anxiety can increase activity in the ACC, leading to increased emotional reactivity and difficulties in emotional regulation. Increased activity can also lead people to experience intense and prolonged emotional reactions to stressors, feeding further into pre-existing anxiety.
Conclusion:
Research suggests that chronic anxiety can have a lasting impact on the structure and functioning of the brain, impacting areas related to attention, memory, decision making and emotional regulation. However, the good news is that early detection and treatment through medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes can help manage these effects. Thus, it is important to notice early signs of anxiety and seek help as soon as possible,
References:
- Chronic stress, anxiety can damage the brain, increase risk of major psychiatric disorders. (n.d.). ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 24, 2024, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160121121818.htm
- How Does Anxiety Affect Your Brain? – Xcode Life India. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2024, from https://www.xcode.in/genes-and-health/how-anxiety-affects-brain/
- How Social Anxiety Affects the Brain. (2020, July 29). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/eye-tracking-evidence-shows-that-social-anxiety-changes-the-picture
- The Effects of Anxiety on The Brain | Banyan Treatment Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2024, from https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/2021/07/02/anxiety-and-how-it-affects-the-brain/
