Many people think that stress is just that, stress. However, if your elderly loved one is stressed it can impact their brain. Short-term stress could make your elderly loved one feel frustrated, tense, and\/or anxious. However, with time, stress can cause further emotional, mental, and physical health issues. In fact, research shows that longer-term stress can cause anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other issues. It can cause a negative impact on one\u2019s brain, too.<\/p>\n
Chemical Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n If someone is stressed, there will be enzymes that start attacking the brain\u2019s molecules. These molecules are needed for proper regulating of the synapses throughout the hippocampus. When someone is stressed, there aren\u2019t as many connections made. This can cause someone to become irritable, angry, or a range of other negative feelings. They may also start to forget things, as well.<\/p>\n Shrinking the Brain<\/strong><\/p>\n If someone is stressed for a long time, it could potentially shrink their brain. Everyone experiences stress from time to time. However, if your elderly loved one is stressed a lot, it could harm their memory, reduce their capacity to learn, cause self-control issues, and reduce other physiological functions. Stress can actually reduce the amount of grey matter throughout the brain.<\/p>\n