We are more likely to have the classic cortisol-dominated response when we are under attack—when a loss threatens something important and meaningful to us, such as our identity, sense of competency, or perhaps the stability and coherence of our inner narrative. When losing puts things that matter in the direct line of fire, we spiral. We ruminate, experience frustration and anger, and if it’s so intertwined that it feels deeply real and not a game, we may just unleash a tirade on the bus ride home.
