Anxiety, stress and cortisol

Anxiety, stress and cortisol

Experiencing severe forms of anxiety and stress can often have a debilitating effect on multiple areas of our physical and emotional psyche.

Paule Enso · 6 minute read

Experiencing severe forms of anxiety and stress can often have a debilitating effect on multiple areas of our physical and emotional psyche. Acute or severe forms of stress and anxiety will have the effect of making someone feel less important and less valued among their professional and/or social peers.

When these conditions are left untreated, they can lead to self-isolation, negative self-esteem issues, or can even contribute to self-harm. Feelings of self-loathing are also a possibility.

While there are many physical and environmental factors that can later develop into lifelong stress and anxiety disorders, these conditions can also be created through an imbalance of the body's natural hormones. It is important to seek both medical and professional hypnotherapy support in order to decide on the best range of treatment solutions for each individual patient.

What is an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders often encompass recurrent episodes characterised by abrupt and intense sensations of anxiety, fear, or terror, culminating in peak intensity within a matter of minutes— a phenomenon commonly referred to as panic attacks. These distressing feelings significantly disrupt daily life, prove challenging to manage, tend to escalate beyond the actual threat level, and can persist for extended periods. Individuals grappling with anxiety disorders may adopt avoidance behaviours to preempt the onset of these distressing emotions. Symptoms often manifest in childhood or adolescence and may endure into adulthood.

Several prominent anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder. It is noteworthy that an individual can simultaneously experience more than one anxiety disorder. Additionally, it is important to recognise that anxiety may also stem from an underlying medical condition, which necessitates prompt medical intervention.

How hypnosis can help

With suggestive Hypnosis treatment the recipient can receive therapeutic suggestions to reduce the effects of the internal stress triggers. It can help to rewrite our internal code to create more positive associations to environments that cause severe stress or anxiety attacks.

The importance of cortisol

Suggestive hypnosis can physically aid the brain to increase or reduce a patient's cortisol levels depending on what condition they have.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced and released by the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular-shaped glands situated on top of each kidney. This vital hormone belongs to the class of hormones called steroids and serves as a messenger within the body's intricate network. Hormones transmit messages through the bloodstream to various organs, skin, muscles, and tissues, instructing them on when and how to perform specific functions.

Glucocorticoids, a specific category of steroid hormones to which cortisol belongs, possess multiple roles within the body. They play a key role in dampening inflammation across all bodily tissues, regulating metabolism in muscles, fat, liver, and bones, and influencing sleep-wake cycles.

Cortisol, in particular, is an indispensable hormone with far-reaching effects on nearly every organ and tissue in the body. Its diverse functions include:

  1. Regulating the Body's Stress Response: While cortisol is commonly referred to as the "stress hormone," it serves more than just this role. It is a central component of the body's response to stress.

  2. Controlling Metabolism: Cortisol helps oversee the utilisation of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, thereby playing a pivotal role in metabolic processes.

  3. Inhibiting Inflammation: It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent, helping to suppress excessive inflammation in the body.

  4. Regulating Blood Pressure: Cortisol contributes to the regulation of blood pressure, ensuring it remains within a healthy range.

  5. Managing Blood Sugar Levels: It plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar levels, which is crucial for overall health.

  6. Controlling Sleep-Wake Cycles: Cortisol also participates in regulating the body's circadian rhythm, influencing the sleep-wake cycle.

The body carefully monitors cortisol levels to maintain equilibrium, known as homeostasis. Abnormally elevated or reduced levels of cortisol can have adverse effects on an individual's health.

In summary, while cortisol is commonly referred to as the "stress hormone," it serves multifaceted functions beyond its role in the body's stress response. It plays a crucial part in various physiological processes, demonstrating its significance in overall health and well-being.

Understanding the biology

From a biological perspective, various forms of stress can be delineated, each exerting distinct physiological effects:

  1. Acute Stress: This occurs when an individual confronts sudden, immediate threats within a brief timeframe. Examples include narrowly avoiding a car accident or being pursued by an aggressive animal.

  2. Chronic Stress: Chronic or long-term stress unfolds as a result of prolonged exposure to circumstances inducing frustration or anxiety. Examples encompass the challenges posed by a demanding job or the enduring impact of a chronic illness.

  3. Traumatic Stress: Traumatic stress materialises when a life-threatening event elicits profound fear and a sense of helplessness. Instances may involve encounters with extreme weather events like tornadoes, experiences of warfare, or instances of sexual assault. Prolonged exposure to such events can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some cases.

In response to any of these stress categories, the human body initiates the release of cortisol.

But what precisely does cortisol do within the body?

Cortisol wields its influence across nearly every organ system, courtesy of the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in almost all bodily tissues. These systems include:

  • Nervous System

  • Immune System

  • Cardiovascular System

  • Respiratory System

  • Reproductive Systems (both female and male)

  • Musculoskeletal System

  • Integumentary System (comprising skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves)

Cortisol exerts its impact through the following mechanisms:

  1. Regulation of the Stress Response: In moments of heightened stress, cortisol follows the release of "fight or flight" hormones like adrenaline. It sustains a state of heightened alertness and prompts the release of glucose from the liver, providing rapid energy during stressful situations.

  2. Metabolism Control: Cortisol plays a pivotal role in governing the utilisation of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy.

  3. Inflammation Suppression: In short intervals, cortisol bolsters immunity by curbing inflammation. However, prolonged elevation of cortisol levels can lead to immune system weakness and chronic inflammation.

  4. Blood Pressure Regulation: While the precise mechanism remains unclear, heightened cortisol levels can result in elevated blood pressure, while insufficient cortisol levels can lead to low blood pressure.

  5. Blood Sugar Management: Cortisol typically counterbalances the effects of insulin in regulating blood sugar. It accomplishes this by liberating stored glucose, contributing to elevated blood sugar levels. Persistent elevation of cortisol can lead to chronic high blood sugar, potentially culminating in Type 2 diabetes.

  6. Control of the Sleep-Wake Cycle: Cortisol exhibits a circadian rhythm, with lower levels in the evening, promoting sleep, and peak levels in the morning, fostering wakefulness. This underscores its pivotal role in initiating wakefulness and governing the body's circadian rhythm.

Maintaining cortisol levels within an optimal range is imperative for sustaining life and upholding various physiological functions. Prolonged imbalances, whether excessively high or low cortisol levels, can exert adverse repercussions on overall health.