ACUTE & CHRONIC STRESS
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is your body’s mental, physiological, and physical response to a perceived threat or stressor, also known as the fight-or-flight response. It is a evolutionary mechanism for survival because the release of stress hormones primes your body to take action and protect itself from danger.
Though we do not face as many physical threats as our ancestors, many of the “threats” we face today trigger the same stress response. Common things include finances, work, academics, relationships, health, traumatic experiences, etc.
Acute stress is a short-term response, usually experienced during a specific event or in our day-to-day lives. It subsides once that event has passed and the body’s parasympathetic response kicks in.
Stress is not always bad. A small, healthy amount of stress provides us the motivation and energy to be productive and complete tasks. This is why some people feel they perform better under pressure.
Acute stress can turn into chronic stress if the intensity, frequency, and duration of this stress increases.
Chronic stress is long-term, repeated activation of the stress response, which can have a profound toll on your body and give rise to many health problems. Continuous release of stress hormones can lead to a dysregulated/overactive nervous system, even in the absence of a stressor.
Effects of Stress on Your Health: a wide-ranging impact on all of your body’s systems
Weakened immune function
Muscle tension and physical aches
Gastrointestinal problems
Cardiovascular issues (high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, etc)
Impaired cognitive function
Increased risk of mental health conditions
Burnout and fatigue
Irritability and changes in mood
Disruptions in sleep
Problems with fertility/menstrual cycle
Headaches and migraines
Increased risk of substance use as a coping mechanism
Manage Stress with Neurofeedback & Talk Therapy
Stress is not a medical diagnosis with a distinct treatment protocol. Reducing or managing your stress requires a multi-pronged, holistic approach. This can include lifestyle changes, medication, therapy, alternative medicine, etc.
At Brain Resource Center, we offer a host of neuromodulation techniques including neurofeedback, tDCS, rTMS, which uses neuroplasticity to help rewire the brain and reduce hyperactivation of your body’s stress response. We also offer traditional talk therapy, during which we can help you develop healthy coping skills, learn relaxation techniques, and change how you react to stressful situations.
The world we live in today is stress-inducing and experiencing stress is inevitable. Stress, whether acute or chronic, can impact your physical and mental health. With the right tools, support, and treatment, you can gain control of your stress and live a more optimal life.
How does Neurofeedback work?
-
1. Brain map
Brainwave assessment identifies imbalances and helps to create a personalized treatment plan.
-
2. Treatment setup
Non-invasive sensors and headphones are placed on your head and the treatment session begins.
-
3. Brain activation
Software translates your brainwave data and stops or starts audio/visual media based on your brain activity.
-
4. Conditioning
In response to the audio/visual feedback, your brain adapts and learns to regulate your brainwaves and build new, healthy neural pathways.
-
5. Brain Training
Over time with continuous brain training, healthy brain activity in target regions increases, and symptom-associated activity decreases.
3 steps away from getting help
Step 1: Schedule a consult
Complete the simple form on the bottom of this page or call us directly (212) 877-2130 for questions or to schedule.
Step 2: Intake, Assessment and Brain map
You can share your mental issues in the intake and we schedule the brain- and neurocognitive assessment. A complete Brain map is part of the personalized treatment plan
Step 3: Start program and expect noticeable results
During the training program you will experience results within a few sessions. Personalized brain training can quickly improve the quality of life with long lasting results.
Holiday Stress
The holidays can be a joyous time but it can also bring about feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. If you know that the holidays have been a difficult time for you in the past, it’s best to be proactive about caring for your mental health. Neglecting to do so can take a serious emotional and physical toll on your body. Treatments like talk therapy and neurofeedback can help you develop healthy coping strategies and rewire your brain to be better equipped at managing stress when it arises. Book an intake appointment with us today!