Stress kills Brain Cells
From Scientific American Mind (June/July 2007) pg. 10:
A single socially stressful situation can destroy newly created neurons in the hippocampus. New nerve cells are continually generated in the hippocampus, where they are essential for learning. Chronic stress can inhibit this neurogenesis and lead to depression. The finding that a single stressful even can have an impact on the survival of newborn neurons, suggests there are ways to prevent some depression from resulting from disturbing events, such as immediate stress relief or therapy or seeking support or meditation or zoning out.
A single socially stressful situation can destroy newly created neurons in the hippocampus. New nerve cells are continually generated in the hippocampus, where they are essential for learning. Chronic stress can inhibit this neurogenesis and lead to depression. The finding that a single stressful even can have an impact on the survival of newborn neurons, suggests there are ways to prevent some depression from resulting from disturbing events, such as immediate stress relief or therapy or seeking support or meditation or zoning out.