Stress response
Introduction
Stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response, is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. This complex process involves a variety of biological systems and mechanisms, including the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system.
Physiology of Stress Response
The stress response begins in the brain, specifically in the amygdala, an area of the brain that contributes to emotional processing. The amygdala interprets the images and sounds. When it perceives danger, it instantly sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus is a bit like a command center. This area of the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the autonomic nervous system, which controls such involuntary body functions as breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, and the dilation or constriction of key blood vessels and small airways in the lungs called bronchioles.
The autonomic nervous system has two components, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake. It promotes the "rest and digest" response that calms the body down after the danger has passed.
Hormonal Response
The hypothalamus activates two systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system. The sympathetic nervous system uses nerve pathways to initiate reactions in the body, and the adrenal-cortical system uses the bloodstream. The combined effects of these two systems are the release of catecholamines, particularly adrenaline and noradrenaline, and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supplies. Cortisol suppresses the immune system, curbs functions that would be nonessential in a fight or flight situation, enhances the body's metabolism of glucose and the brain's use of glucose, and curbs functions that would be nonessential in a fight or flight situation. It also communicates with brain regions that control mood, motivation, and fear.
Effects on the Body
The body's stress-response system is usually self-limiting. Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities.
But when stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. The long-term activation of the stress-response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follows can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems, including anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain, and memory and concentration impairment.
Coping Mechanisms
Coping mechanisms are the strategies people often use in the face of stress and/or trauma to help manage painful or difficult emotions. Coping mechanisms can help reduce stress and anxiety and can contribute to mental well-being. There are many different coping mechanisms people can use, and they may vary depending on the situation. Some common coping mechanisms include meditation, exercise, socializing, journaling, and therapy.