Emotional Control Impaired in Anxiety, Depression, and Borderline Personality Disorder due to Stress

Emotional Control Impaired in Anxiety, Depression, and Borderline Personality Disorder due to Stress

Edith Cowan University (ECU) researchers have discovered that acute stress impairs key brain functions essential for managing emotions, particularly in individuals affected by 'distress disorders' such as depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. The study, led by ECU Masters student Tee-Jay Scott and Professor Joanne Dickson, found that stress temporarily disrupts executive functions—brain processes responsible for problem-solving, planning, and emotional regulation.

High-stress moments may weaken the control over emotional responses in individuals with distress-related disorders, even when their symptoms don't meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis. Working memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility—the brain's key emotional balance mechanisms—are more susceptible to stress-induced disruption in those already struggling with anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder.

The study reviewed 17 international studies examining the impact of acute stress on various executive functions in people with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder. Findings revealed heightened vulnerability to stress-induced impairments of working memory in depression and of response inhibition in borderline personality disorder.

The temporary disruptions of executive functions may hinder the effectiveness of cognitive-demanding therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which are crucial for emotion regulation. As many psychological therapies rely on these executive functions, stress could compromise a person's capacity to derive benefits from these treatments, particularly during periods of heightened distress.

Researchers suggest that more tailored or adaptive interventions accounting for stress-related cognitive disruptions might be essential for improving outcomes among those susceptible to stress-related cognitive impairments. The study opens up new avenues for understanding how distress symptoms and disorders develop and persist, as well as the importance of devising flexible or capacity-building therapies before emotionally challenging work commences.

While the study confirms a pattern of executive function impairment under acute stress, more research is required to understand individual differences and refine treatment strategies. Understanding stress's interplay with brain function is crucial for improving mental health outcomes, ensuring that therapies are deployed effectively and at the right times.

Alternative and Adjunctive Treatment Approaches

Individuals with distress-related disorders—such as depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder—struggling with executive function during high-stress periods could benefit from alternative or adjunctive therapies, as they may face challenges with conventional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Present-Centered Therapy (PCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), pharmacotherapy, complementary and alternative interventions, and peer support are potential alternatives or adjuncts to traditional CBT.

Summary Table

| Therapy/Approach | Key Feature | Suitability During Executive Dysfunction ||----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|| Present-Centered Therapy | Focuses on current stressors | High || ACT | Mindfulness and values-based action | High || DBT | Emotion regulation and skills | High || EMDR | Guided processing of memories | Moderate || IPT | Improves relationships | Moderate || Pharmacotherapy | Medication for symptom relief | Very High || Complementary/Alternative | Acupuncture, yoga, animals | High || Peer Support | Shared experiences and coping | High |

Considerations

• Individual Differences: The effectiveness of any therapy varies by individual. Some may respond better to non-cognitive approaches or combinations of therapies.
• Stigma and Accessibility: Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help, especially in populations where distress-related disorders are misunderstood.
• Multimodal Approaches: Combining different therapies (e.g., medication plus group support or DBT plus peer support) may yield the best outcomes for those with complex presentations.

1. Neuroscience news presented findings that acute stress impairs key brain functions, particularly in individuals affected by distress disorders like depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.
2. Psychology research revealed an heightened vulnerability to stress-induced impairments of working memory in depression and of response inhibition in borderline personality disorder.
3. In the study, neuroscience showed that working memory, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, the brain's key emotional balance mechanisms, are more susceptible to stress-induced disruption in those already struggling with anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder.
4. Aging and mental health are areas where stress could compromise a person's capacity to derive benefits from therapies, especially during periods of heightened distress.
5. Stress temporarily disrupts executive functions, which are brain processes responsible for problem-solving, planning, and emotional regulation.
6. The brain, under stress, may weaken the control over emotional responses in individuals with distress-related disorders, even when their symptoms don't meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis.
7. Therapies and treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which are crucial for emotion regulation, could be compromised by stress-induced disruptions.
8. In the workplace-wellness context, chronic diseases, such as cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive-health problems, eye-health issues, hearing impairments, and skin conditions, may be exacerbated by stress.
9. Emotional regulation, a vital component of mental health, is affected by stress, making it even more important to address mental-health issues through skin-care, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and cardiovascular-health maintenance.
10. Autoimmune disorders and neurological disorders like anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder could be worsened by stress, necessitating medical-conditions management and treatment.
11. Science has discovered that stress can impact sleep, memory, and cardiovascular-health.
12. CBD, a cannabis derivative, is being researched for its potential role in managing neuroscience-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
13. In the realm of health-and-wellness, stress reduction techniques like health-and-wellness practices, fitness-and-exercise, and mindfulness can alleviate stress symptoms and promote emotional regulation.
14. Therapies-and-treatments like Present-Centered Therapy (PCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), pharmacotherapy, complementary and alternative interventions, and peer support can help individuals with distress-related disorders during high-stress periods.
15. nutritious diet, abundant sleep, regular exercise, and self-care practices like skin-care are essential components of maintaining good health and reducing stress.
16. In conclusion, stress can negatively impact various aspects of our health, from our mental well-being to our physical conditions. Understanding and managing stress is crucial for promoting overall health and wellness.

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