Depression and academic performance.

Hi Antigreen

Depressed people have higher than normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol interferes with the function of a part of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is instrumental in laying down new information and learning.

Also depressed people tend to be preoccupied with their concerns and worries. This leaves less 'spare capacity' in the brain to focus on learning. Anxiety inhibits learning through 'emotional hijacking' whereby the emotional arousal swamps the thinking brain in order for the less interllectual 'fight or flight.'

I hope this helps

Mark.

It does.
Thanks.

Also people suffering from depression tend to be exhausted.....not an optimum state for learninh eh?
Jill

I failed out of school and was expelled to be home schooled. During home schooling I was an AA student. I was depressed as sh**.

I just posted something about academic performance and then I read this which I found very useful.
Sometimes the feeling of 'arrested intelligence' feels like something is stopping me from thinking clearly...like there is so much fear of failure that I can't even think clearly. I have handed in some incoherent essays written in this state.
Very odd
I am intrigued by academics who don't seem to have a problem being reasoned all the time....