Long-term stress erodes memory • Hacker News Board

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#41

Post by goodcanadian » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 4:53 PM UTC

thro3212 wrote: post #28

manmal wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

May I ask what stressed you out like this?

new child

Interesting. This immediately put me in mind of the birth of my own child. While no where near as bad as you describe, my short term memory did kind of go to crap after she was born. I blame it mostly on sleep deprivation, which is a kind of stress, I suppose.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#42

Post by davis » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 4:57 PM UTC

For those that are stressed about stress, Kelly McGonigal has some really interesting research on stress and the picture isn't quite as black and white. Depending on how the person views stress, it can benefit the person instead of harming them.

Her book: https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Stress-Why-Good-You/dp/1101982...

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#43

Post by davis » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:06 PM UTC

Question1101 wrote: post #16

So what can you do? How can you escape it?

Kelly McGonigal has a great book that talks about not escaping it but instead embracing it. I really recommend it. https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Stress-Why-Good-You/dp/1101982...

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#44

Post by blackkettle » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:06 PM UTC

actually makes pretty good sense as a coping mechanism I guess. decreased memory function might help erase bad experiences, thereby decreasing stress - unless your job depends on abnormally high levels of recall... probably not a big issue in days gone by.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#45

Post by dbg31415 » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:07 PM UTC

marcosdumay wrote: post #25

navs wrote: post #14

Oh what a vicious cycle this is. As someone battling with depression, I tend to take on a lot of side projects and extra work in order to keep my mind busy and avoid those thoughts. Then I get stressed because I have so much to do.

> avoid those thoughts Avoiding anything is always the worst option. Get some professional help on how to deal with the thoughts.

I'm almost certain he meant stave off the depression rather than "avoid" like you are reading it. Staying busy, staying in a routine, can help keep people from getting down.

Telling people to "get help" is really frustrating since the help seldom helps. It's just a blow-off conversation-ender. Don't assume they aren't getting help, don't assume that someone suffering an episode can't fix it on their own given time.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#46

Post by marcosdumay » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:35 PM UTC

dbg31415 wrote: post #45

marcosdumay wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> avoid those thoughts Avoiding anything is always the worst option. Get some professional help on how to deal with the thoughts.

I'm almost certain he meant stave off the depression rather than "avoid" like you are reading it. Staying busy, staying in a routine, can help keep people from getting down. Telling people to "get help" is really frustrating since the help seldom helps. It's just a blow-off conversation-ender. Don't assume they aren't getting help, don't assume that someone suffering an episode can't fix it on their own given time.

Point taken (and upvoted). I may have come to a completely wrong conclusion from reading that comment.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#47

Post by myth_drannon » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:41 PM UTC

thro3212 wrote: post #28

manmal wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

May I ask what stressed you out like this?

new child

It's called Baby brain.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#48

Post by hansreiter » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 5:42 PM UTC

blackkettle wrote: post #44

actually makes pretty good sense as a coping mechanism I guess. decreased memory function might help erase bad experiences, thereby decreasing stress - unless your job depends on abnormally high levels of recall... probably not a big issue in days gone by.

I used to have an incredible memory, and in general attributed my SHARP decline in recall to just getting a bit older (though I'm only 27 now...). Still, I did feel that this decline helped me a lot for the very reason you mention. I used to get panic attacks a lot -- not so much anymore. I've joked before that it's almost like I've forgotten my triggers, and that my short term memory is so bad that I don't get stuck in the panic feedback loop so easily anymore.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#49

Post by mtdewcmu » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 6:01 PM UTC

I would call this the pathophysiology of burnout. I have lots of personal experience of this.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#50

Post by JamesBarney » Mon, Jan 02, 2017, 6:03 PM UTC

dom0 wrote: post #4

asdfologist wrote: post #2

Stress tends to wreak havoc on the entire body, so I'd have been surprised if this weren't the case.

A couple years ago I remember reading an article that bullying in school has strong epigenetic effects in the children given birth to by bullied people. That realization, that by bullying people you don't just break them , but even hurt their unborn children ...

Could you link to article? I would be really surprised if they had some evidence for causation. I would think that theoretically something like bullying might have large confounders. Basically the likable quarterback doesn't get picked on, but the kid that doesn't fit quite fit in does. And at least some of this is probably genetic.