Well!

[textualdeviance]

So, a few random bits:

I'm looking something up to answer this comment chain, and I run across this:

http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/6/765

Innnnnteresting. This would seem to confirm one of my long-held theories that childhood stress permanently affects the rest of the endocrine system. This might be a biological basis for why adults who had rotten childhoods have problems with depression, stress response, eating habits, weight, sleep... a whole bunch of other stuff. And why the cycle continues. An adult with all these problems is likely to be a less-competent parent, and may well create stressful conditions for their own child, thereby continuing the chain. Of course, genes are probably involved, too (hello, interactionism) but this seems to be pretty concrete evidence for how childhood stress is the gift that keeps giving. And also a good argument as to why children in stressful situations need to be gotten out of them as soon as possible.

Speaking of biology and behavior, I had another biopsych exam today. This time it was on some really hardcore stuff about neuron function. I think I did okay for someone whose last biology class was in high school, talking about plant cells. And I've never had a chem class, ever. The only other science class I've ever taken was a three-course Astronomy series my first go-round, and I sort of coasted my way through that just to get my science credits.

Some of the stuff we're studying is way, way over my head. But then sometimes some of it makes sense, too. I just have to remind myself to not panic and shut down every time the esoteric terminology and diagrams start piling up in a jumbled mess. My normal reaction to confusion is to get frustrated right away and just close off. I'm fighting that, trying to swim through, but it's hard sometimes.

Comments

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

all very interesting except that I think childhood is a stressful situation in and of itself, and cannot be gotten out of except with the passage of time

[textualdeviance.livejournal.com]

True, but parents and caregivers can mitigate that by being attentive and stable. Stability is the one key factor in children growing up healthy. When a child trusts that her caregivers love her and are dedicated to her and won't leave or harm her, she is more confident and relaxed. Any disruption in that causes worry and therefore stress.