Photo: flickr
Within a group of children, there is always some children who tend to be shying or distressing away in a corner of the room, while there is the actives ones that run about the classroom. Scientists believe that the main cause is their sensitive and resilience to stress which is determined by genes. However, with the environmental help in culturing them, it could help them.
There has been discovery that the activity of Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) gene NR3C1 affects the child’s vulnerability to stress and their hypersensitivity to the environment. The GR binds to the stress hormone cortisol which transmit information to the brain and sensory neurons, which will then determine the individual’s response to stress.
When we are stress, cortisol’s secretion allows us to be alert to the environment. However, when there is excess secretion, it will result in anxiety and panic. It causes great stress on the individual which could lead to a drop in performance. Therefore, the higher the number of GR in the body, the larger amount of cortisol that gets docked, thus you will be able to tolerate more stress without breaking down
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Early-life stress might also affect the gene expression, how the individual reacts to stress later on in life. Children who have been subjected to physical and emotional abuse during their developmental years might be at a higher risk of developing substance abuse disorders, depression, PTSD, ASD. The tend to perceive the world as a dangerous place, thus they react anxiously and aggressively to stressful situation.
In order for a child to bloom into a dandelion, they need love, care and support to build their confidence level, follow their dreams and have the conviction of sticking to their beliefs and values in life.
Category(s):Stress Management
Source material from Brain Blogger
