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Fight, flight, and freeze are survival responses activated by ournervous systemin threatening or stressful situations.
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Its similar to a feeling of panic.
(You may have heard of cortisol face, for example.)
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by our adrenal glands, Dr. Durrutia explains.
It also activates the nervous system to increase alertness and hinder sleep.
How does high cortisol impact health?
As for how high cortisol levels can impact mental health?
Heres what to know about the latest TikTok wellness trend.
Signs of high cortisol levels
Wondering if you have high cortisol levels?
Here are eight potential symptoms according to Luis Guillen Plaza, a psychologist atCentro de Psicologia Psicopartner.
You may feel anxious.
This hyperactivation can manifest in a persistent sense of danger, intensifying feelings of nervousness and stress.
In some cases, the state of alertness becomes so acute that it leads to hypervigilance and paranoia.
You may feel sad or depressed.
You may experience concentration and memory problems.
You may be more prone to irritability and and mood swings.
You may be struggling to manage stress.
People with high cortisol levels may be less capable of managing new sources of stress.
This is due to the overload of the stress system.
As a result, they may have disproportionate emotional responses to minor situations and difficulty recovering from them.
You may be making impulsive decisions.
You may feel mentally fatigued and exhausted.
This can go beyond physical fatigue, as it can affect motivation and the ability to face challenges.
You may be experiencing reduced mental flexibility.
Elevated cortisol can reduce mental flexibility, making it difficult to adapt to change and to see alternative solutions.
