The Impact of Acceptance: What Happens When You Believe It?
When someone hears the words "You are untreatable" from a doctor, a chain reaction is triggered in both mind and body. For many, it feels like a definitive verdict. When this message is accepted as absolute truth, the body begins to respond accordingly—biologically, hormonally, and even on a cellular level.
Brain Activity and Stress
The message triggers an acute stress response. The limbic system, especially the amygdala, sounds the alarm: the body enters a state of fear and survival. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to increased cortisol (the stress hormone) and adrenaline. The prefrontal cortex—responsible for rational thinking and hopeful planning—is suppressed. People become less solution-oriented and may feel emotionally paralyzed.
Hormonal and Enzymatic Changes
Activation of the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) leads to prolonged elevated corti