Stress: The Destroyer of Worlds

Stress: The Destroyer of Worlds

v1.o (last commit 2024-07-20T16:21:33+00:00)

Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace ~Joan Borysenko

Our world seems to be caught in a precarious doom loop leaving many of us to wonder: Has the world gone mad? I wrote this piece to highlight what I believe is a core underlying driver that is stealthily pushing us unconsciously closer to the precipice: chronic stress.

Under normal conditions, grasshoppers are innocuous solitary creatures. However, when environmental stressors, such as overcrowding or scarcity of resources, reach a critical threshold, they undergo a transformation into locusts. This transformation triggers a swarm behavior, where locusts become highly aggressive and destructive, much like humans under chronic stress. The phase polymorphism seen in grasshoppers exemplifies how stress can fundamentally alter behavior, leading to aggressive and destructive outcomes. In humans, the relentless cycle of stress and aggression can erode social cohesion and exacerbate conflicts, creating a world increasingly driven by fear and hostility.

Acute v Chronic Stress

First, let’s differentiate between the two different types of stress:

  • Acute: short-term stress that arises from specific events or situations, often seen as healthy stress (i.e. sports-related match, work project, exams)
  • Chronic: long-term stress that is persistent and prolonged in duration, often seen as unhealthy stress as it can have really detrimental physical affects (i.e. work dissatisfaction, unhappy marriage, financial problems, etc…)

Chronic stress is significantly more harmful to an individual’s mental and physical health. The accumulation of both acute and chronic stress can severely impact overall well-being, particularly if individuals lack self-awareness and continually suppress their stress. This creates a potential dangerous situation, akin to a powder keg, where the built-up tension can lead to severe consequences if not diffused.

Unprecedented Global Stressors

In today’s interconnected world, we find ourselves ensnared in a vicious stress doom loop, where escalating stressors continuously feed into a cycle of anxiety and instability. This unrelenting tension stems from a myriad of sources, each compounding the other, leading to a global atmosphere of unease and apprehension.

Geopolitical Insecurity

At the heart of this loop lies global insecurity. Recent geopolitical upheavals, such as the assassination attempt on former President Trump and contentious EU elections, have left many questioning the stability of democratic institutions. Studies indicate that geopolitical instability significantly contributes to public stress and anxiety (Hellwig & Sinno, 2021). Meanwhile, regional conflicts are intensifying, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the relentless strife between Hamas and Israel, and the looming threat of conflict over Taiwan. These flashpoints of tension are not isolated; they ripple through international relations, breeding uncertainty and fear. Research has shown that exposure to regional conflicts increases stress levels among populations far beyond the immediate conflict zones (Hobfoll et al., 2012).

Economic Malaise

The economic landscape is equally fraught. Global inflation rates are soaring, eroding purchasing power and exacerbating inequalities. The gap between the wealthy and the rest widens, fueling social discontent and resentment. A study by Wilkinson and Pickett (2010) highlights how economic inequality correlates with higher levels of stress and social unrest. The world economy teeters, and the pervasive sense of economic instability adds another layer of stress to an already burdened global populace.

Technological Disruption

Adding another layer to this complex web is the dehumanizing effect of rapid technological disruption. The relentless advance of technology, while bringing many benefits, also fosters a sense of alienation and loss of human connection. The rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and digital communication can lead to feelings of obsolescence and displacement. Research by Carr (2020) indicates that excessive reliance on technology can diminish our cognitive abilities and empathy, contributing to societal stress. This technological upheaval can feel dehumanizing, exacerbating the overall sense of instability and stress in modern life.

COVID Lockdown Trauma

Compounding these issues is the lingering trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, social isolation, and disruptions to daily life have left deep psychological scars. Society is still in the throes of grieving and healing from the collective trauma inflicted by years of uncertainty and fear. The mental health toll of the pandemic has created a backdrop of chronic stress that amplifies every new crisis. Studies by Brooks et al. (2020) have documented the severe impact of prolonged quarantine on mental health, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.

Stressors Trigger Aggression at the Biological Level

The interplay between stress and aggression creates a destructive feedback loop at the biological level, making it challenging for individuals to break free from its grip. Research indicates that the nervous system plays a crucial role in this cycle. Stress hormones activate the brain’s aggression-control center, leading to heightened aggression. This response is observed in rats, whose neurophysiology closely resembles humans. Under stress, the body is primed to react aggressively, and once aggression is triggered, it feeds back into the stress response, perpetuating the cycle (Haller & Kruk, 2006).

Stress has a profound impact on the brain, triggering more aggressive tendencies through specific biochemical processes. Under stress, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, leading to the release of cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body for a fight or flight response, heightening alertness and aggression. The amygdala, the brain's emotional processing center, becomes hyperactive, while the prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational decision-making, is impaired. This imbalance increases impulsive and aggressive behavior, as the brain prioritizes immediate survival over thoughtful responses (Sinha, 2008).

In addition, chronic stress alters neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and aggression. Reduced serotonin levels are associated with increased irritability and aggression, while heightened dopamine activity can enhance reward-seeking behavior, including aggressive actions. The prolonged exposure to stress hormones can also damage brain structures involved in emotional regulation, further perpetuating aggressive tendencies. Understanding these biochemical processes underscores the importance of managing stress to prevent the escalation of aggression and maintain psychological well-being.

Conclusion

The interplay between stress and aggression, as illustrated by the grasshopper-to-locust transformation, underscores the perilous path we are on. Acute and chronic stressors from global insecurity, economic turmoil, and technological disruptions not only deteriorate our collective well-being but also amplify our aggressive behaviors. This biological feedback loop, if left unchecked, threatens to escalate into widespread societal chaos, much like the devastating aftermath of a locust swarm.

As a final word, I often wonder if this cycle of individual and collective self-sabotage is hardwired into us. In his book "The Fourth Turning," Neil Howe chronicles how our societies seem to deterministically follow a generational 80-100 year cycle he calls the "saeculum." According to Howe’s hypothesis, we appear to be entering the final fourth stage of this cycle: Crisis.

References:

  • Hellwig, T., & Sinno, A. (2021). International Politics and Public Anxiety. Journal of Politics, 83(1), 1-12.
  • Hobfoll, S. E., Mancini, A. D., Hall, B. J., Canetti, D., & Bonanno, G. A. (2012). The Limits of Resilience: Distress Following Chronic Political Violence Among Palestinians. Social Science & Medicine, 75(5), 924-931.
  • Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2010). The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger. Bloomsbury Press.
  • Brooks, S. K., Webster, R. K., Smith, L. E., Woodland, L., Wessely, S., Greenberg, N., & Rubin, G. J. (2020). The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It: Rapid Review of the Evidence. The Lancet, 395(10227), 912-920.
  • Carr, N. (2020). The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Sinha, R. (2008). Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1141(1), 105-130.
  • Haller, J., & Kruk, M. R. (2006). Normal and Abnormal Aggression: Human Disorders and Novel Laboratory Models. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 30(3), 292-303.
  • Sinha, R. (2008). Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1141(1), 105-130.