Extreme, sustained tension can scar,disrupt and wear down the brain, but a large percentage of these people are capable of recovering and do.
How else to explain the Phoenix Phenomenon of Holocaust victims and WW2 Veterans, many of whom witnessed and experienced all 7 circles of Dante’s Hell, and in some cases, these people were able to keep going, they were still able to trust others, enjoy the company of others.
Even find things in life to joke and laugh about.
The very notion that WW2 could become the basis of a popular, long running TV Comedy Show named Hogan’s Heroes is one of many reminders that a large cross section of humanity is born with an innate sense of optimism and joy.
You are correct. However there are still costs.
My experience during the pandemic reminded me of a scene where the female protagonist approaches Donald Sutherland at the end of “Invasion of the body snatchers.” He points at her and makes the alien hiss noise. That’s how I felt. I was in constant dread of someone panicking because I wasn’t wearing a mask, or I walked the wrong way down a food aisle. People were sitting alone in an airconditioned car or jogging down deserted country roads wearing a mask. A woman getting into the elevator asked if I had been vaccinated and then backed out in a panic when I said no. The stress of being surrounded by crazy people was wearing. It felt like I was in some weird science fiction horror movie.
Incidentally, I still see people wearing masks, but they almost always have them below their nose. These people are wearing talismans, like carrying a rabbit’s foot. I’ve always wanted to follow them to their cars to see if they had COEXIST or other crazy bumper stickers.
Extreme, sustained tension can scar,disrupt and wear down the brain, but a large percentage of these people are capable of recovering and do.
Whatever doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger.