![]() These crucial uprisings may be triggered by current day stresses – however, how we react to them can be deeply rooted in our history. ![]() I think it’s important we bear this in mind today, when we consider modern social movements like Me Too, Climate Change and Black Lives Matter. 2 This means historical traumas can be as visceral now as when they were first experienced. A traumatic event can change how we respond to psychological stressors, as well as leaving a genetic imprint on future generations. 1 What Does This Mean Today?Įpigenetics demonstrates that the way we react to stressful situations is heavily influenced by our environment. For instance, children of pregnant mothers who survived the atrocities of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda have been found to be predisposed to show symptoms of PTSD and depression. In essence, genes controlling stress responses are expressed differently in those who have experienced traumas to those who haven’t.Īnd there is evidence to suggest that hormonal dysregulation and susceptibility to related conditions can be inherited. These and other types of trauma can result in the abnormal regulation of systems that control hormone levels in our bodies, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypertension and obesity. However, when exposed to extreme stress, such as during a traumatic event, our response can have the opposite effect and actually harm the body. Things like increased heart rate, widening of the blood vessels and the release of hormones such as cortisol all help us to cope in stressful situations by making us feel more alert and ready for action. Mental or psychological stresses are expressed by our body though a number of different physical reactions. So, what does this look like in real life? Let’s take mental stress as an example.
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