Acute stress can disrupt the brain&rsquo;s ability to regulate emotions, particularly in individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder, a new study has found.
Conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, the study reveals that stress can temporarily impair executive functions&mdash;mental skills such as impulse control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. These functions are critical for managing emotions and making sound decisions, especially during high-pressure situations.
&ldquo;These executive functions are essential for regulating emotional responses during stressful moments,&rdquo; said researcher Tee-Jay Scott. &ldquo;Our study indicates that people with distress-related mental health conditions may be more susceptible to these disruptions, even if their symptoms don&rsquo;t meet clinical thresholds.&rdquo;
The research team reviewed 17 global studies and discovered that acute stress tends to diminish working memory in individuals with depression and hampers impulse control in those with borderline personality disorder.
This cognitive impairment could explain why some people struggle to benefit from therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which rely heavily on intact executive function, said co-author Professor Joanne Dickson.
&ldquo;If someone is under significant stress, their ability to regulate emotions using CBT techniques may be compromised, making therapy less effective during intense emotional episodes,&rdquo; she noted.
The researchers advocate for building core cognitive skills before engaging in emotionally demanding therapy sessions to ensure better outcomes.
They also emphasized the need for more research to explore individual differences in stress response and to refine therapeutic strategies accordingly.
&ldquo;Understanding the link between stress and brain function is crucial to enhancing mental health treatment,&rdquo; Scott added.

Stress can temporarily impair executive functions

Study finds acute stress impairs brain functions tied to emotion regulation in vulnerable individuals

Stress Disrupts Emotion Control in Mental Illness

Study finds acute stress impairs brain functions tied to emotion regulation in vulnerable individuals

May 22, 2025 | 16:57 IST