Cortisol levels are a critical component of the PD picture and are key to our relationship with stress. Ever find yourself "jumping" when a sudden sound startles you? Or becoming symptomatic from stressful situations?

Prenatal exposure to maternal stress hormones as well as bacterial endotoxins can result in chronic elevated cortisol levels. They also seem to set the stage for future PD.

In any case, most PWP have elevated cotisol. They also have a disrupted pattern of cortisol production - almost a "flat line" - instead of the cyclic pattern of high in the morning to low in late evening.

A lifetime of elevated cortisol takes a toll.