Emotions, explained by ACEs

I’m a very emotional person.  But ACEs explains why that is so.

Developing Brains release hormones, when chronically stressed, that shrink the hippocampus area of the brain which is responsible for emotions and memory.  MRI studies show that the higher the ACE score the less gray matter in areas of the brain, including pre-frontal cortex, the area related to decision making and self regulatory skills and the amygdala which is the fear processing area of the brain.  This results in “over-reacting” to even minor stressors as adults.

There was a time when I was just the opposite.  I didn’t feel much of anything.  When memories are blocked because the feelings associated are too much for a person to handle, that person may become emotionally numb.  They function, and in fact, I functioned much better that way.  No over-reacting, no getting into trouble because of angry temper or crying bouts.

One thing interesting that I found, was the association between feelings and colors.  When I was emotionally numb the whole world was black and white.  I had no creativity, either.  The décor in my living space was purely functional.  Now I have bright colors and mirrors for reflection.  I grow flowers.  I couldn't really care about those things in those days. 

And decision making- anybody else routinely stand in front of a clothes closet for hours on end because they can't make up their mind what to wear?   :)