What PTSD and Psychopathy Teach Us About Managing Extreme Stress

What PTSD and Psychopathy Teach Us About Managing Extreme Stress

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“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” ~ Seneca

Have you ever felt so anxious that each new situation or thought sends you spiraling deeper? It may surprise you, but your state of heightened stress can be just as irrational as the complete lack of fear shown by psychopaths. On one end of the spectrum, there’s the “frozen” brain of a psychopath who feels no anxiety whatsoever; on the other, the hyper-aroused mind of someone with PTSD or chronic stress. Both are forms of imbalance, and both impair decision-making.

Today, let’s explore a fascinating discussion inspired by Professor Kent A. Kiehl—a pioneering expert who studies psychopaths in high-security prisons—and learn how his insights connect to our own struggles with anxiety, fear, or PTSD. Spoiler alert: Calming down is not just a side quest. It’s often the key to overcoming our biggest challenges.


1. The R300 Response: When Fear Takes Over

  • Psychopaths, according to research, feel very little fear. They remain serene—even amused—under life-threatening conditions. Their paralimbic system shows reduced gray matter and poor blood flow, so terror doesn’t register.
  • PTSD Sufferers respond in the opposite way: an over-amplified R300 brainwave when they perceive something threatening. They see danger in everyday events. Their brain is on high alert 24/7, making them prone to panic or irrational decisions.

Neither of these extremes is healthy. Fearless psychopaths miss vital signals of danger. Perpetually stressed individuals, meanwhile, are overwhelmed by signals that might not even be dangerous. The result is the same: inability to judge situations accurately.


2. Why Calming Down Is Priority #1

Many of us have heard—or even told ourselves—“I’ll relax once the problem is solved.” Unfortunately, your brain under stress works so poorly that solving the problem can become nearly impossible. Chronic stress not only wears you down physically, but also narrows your mental bandwidth, leading to:

  1. Overreactions to minor setbacks
  2. Poor problem-solving due to diminished executive function
  3. Emotional collapse that can spiral into more significant disorders

The lesson? Don’t wait until everything’s fixed. Get your body and mind out of “fight or flight” as soon as possible. You’ll think more clearly, feel more stable, and be vastly more capable of dealing with the actual issue.


3. Simple, Time-Tested Methods to Halt Anxiety

  1. Warm Baths + Cool Compress
    • Soak for 20 minutes at around 35°C (95°F).
    • Place a cool (not icy) compress on your forehead.
    • Add 1 kg of sea salt to enhance the effect.
    • Why it helps: By gently reducing blood flow to your frontal and temporal lobes, it settles your nerves and promotes a calmer state of mind.
  2. Steam & Cold Dousing
    • If you have access to a sauna or hammam, try alternating heat with brief pours of cool water—especially over your head.
    • “Cooling your head” is literal: you’re calming an overactive amygdala region that controls fear responses.
  3. The “Switch” Technique (Inspired by Emily Holmes)
    • Spend 10 minutes actively focusing on the problem, then 10 minutes playing a high-concentration puzzle game (like Tetris).
    • This deliberate shift from emotional rumination to cognitive puzzle-solving trains your brain to switch out of panic mode.
    • Studies show significant drops in obsessive fears—even a week after just one session.
  4. Autogenic Training
    • Lie down (the floor is ideal), turn on soft music, close your eyes, and repeat calming statements for 5–15 minutes: “I’m calm. My arms are relaxed. My heartbeat is steady. My mind is clear.”
    • Over time, this rewires your amygdala to respond less frantically to stress triggers.
  5. Boost Vitamin C
    • This nutrient helps lower cortisol, the stress hormone.
    • Consider 0.5g–3g daily (if safe for you), but avoid taking it on an empty stomach.

4. The Cost of Staying in Stress Too Long

Unchecked stress erodes your mental and emotional resilience. It can:

  • Push you to destructive coping behaviors (e.g., binge drinking, avoidance, or worse).
  • Infect your relationships with negativity and conflict.
  • Magnify smaller problems into crises.

By practicing calming techniques and creating breaks in your anxiety cycle, you reclaim command over your mind. You become clearer-headed and more confident—qualities essential for tackling complicated issues.


5. First Stabilize, Then Strategize

Finally, remember: solving problems effectively requires a stable mental state. Don’t tell yourself, “Once I handle everything, I’ll relax.” If your anxiety levels remain sky-high, you might never handle anything successfully. Pause. Take a step to re-center yourself—bath, Tetris, a nature walk, or a quick autogenic session. Then, with your emotions settled, come back and strategize from a position of calm strength.

Action Step: Try one of these methods today. If you’re reading this and feeling stressed, run a quick experiment—maybe a 20-minute bath or 10 minutes of puzzle-solving. Then let us know how it goes in the comments!


Join the Conversation
  • Have you ever tried warm baths or steam/sauna treatments to cope with anxiety?
  • Which “switch” technique helps you shift from panic to calm?
  • What are your go-to strategies for getting fear under control?

Share your experience below, and feel free to tag a friend who could use these tips. Let’s support each other in the fight against destructive stress!


Remember: Stress is real, but so is your power to manage it. With a balanced approach, you can protect your mental health, improve your decision-making, and face life’s challenges with newfound clarity and confidence.

If you found this article helpful, please like and share so more people can discover practical ways to rein in anxiety and restore emotional resilience.

Stay calm—and keep growing!

Written by

Sophia Andreeva

Master the Curriculum of Conscious Connection

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