Annotated Bibliography Of ANS Dysregulation

20.The part of the ANS that is responsible for reacting to stressful events and bodily arousal is called the  sympathetic division of the nervous system.

There are three different theories that are used when talking about how we react to stress through the physiological aspect or the psychological aspect. The first is part of the physiological aspect of stress called the Cannon Fight or Flight theory which was proposed in 1914. Fight or Flight response is a physiological stress response that evolved to help organisms to survive immediate danger. The theory states that when an organism, human being or animal, faces imminent danger (acute stressor) the body arouses quickly and is ready to act via two different systems. They are the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla which is part of the endocrine system and is the region that produces the hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones increase heart rate, blood flow, and glucose levels to prepare the body for an emergency. This response from the body suggests that the body knows how to protect itself and reach homeostasis. These two systems work together to either fight against the danger or flight away from the danger. Lord, King and Pfister in 1976 studied the Fight or Flight response in animals through a very unethical study. They administered chemicals on male hooded Wistar rats which inhibited the neurotransmitters from functioning normally. This made it very difficult for the rats to escape an electric shock. The results of the study suggest that the Flight or Fight response

Describing a psychological or mental health response following exposure to a traumatic event has become an unachievable goal since there is no response to it. It is apparent that there are individual differences in resilience and risk factors that play a crucial role in response to potentially traumatic event and prevent a description of a response to an event that would affect people uniformly. During the course of a normal life span, most people at different times in their lives are confronted with the adverse events such as the death of a close friend or relative (Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995).

Trauma can be defined as an event or experience that hinders an individual’s ability to cope (Covington, 2008). These experiences have the power to alter biology and brain function, especially earlier on in life. Trauma can change an individual’s world-view, impacting their sense of self. This can lead to difficulties with self-regulation and higher incidences of impulsive behavior (Markoff et al., 2005). Often, individuals who have endured traumatic incidences turn to self-medication as a form of coping (De Bellis, 2002).

Herman (1992) categorizes the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder into three major categories: hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction. She describes hyperarousal as the “persistent expectation of danger,” intrusion as the “indelible imprint of the traumatic moment,” and constriction as the “numbing response of surrender” (Herman, 1992, p. 35).

Animals and Humans have a biological stress response intended to facilitate survival in the case of a life threatening attack or severe illness. This is commonly referred to the “fight or flight” response. Some primates, including humans have developed the unhealthy propensity to trigger this response for psychological or social reasons. Humans in particular experience the stress response exponentially more often for psychological reasons than for the purpose of survival (Stress, 2008). For example, we are may feel “stressed out” about work or school and if we think about it too much and get upset, we may experience a stress response Just by thinking about something that is bothering us, we can trigger the biological “fight or flight”

It is natural as well as normal when a person experiences a struggle with emotions and trauma; it can have a major impact upon the psychological immune system. A specific event that causes pain and agony can leave an unhealed wound upon a person’s skin, leaving a scarring memory along with it. Therefore, pushing for the subconscious to repress such unpleasant feelings. There are many ways in which society associates and copes with trauma.

The general problem in the assessment of PTSD is that "Traditional psychotherapy addresses the cognitive and emotional elements of trauma, but lacks techniques that work directly with the physiological elements, despite the fact that trauma profoundly affects the body and many symptoms of traumatized individuals are somatically based" (2). Popular belief is that traumatic events affect an individual at the level of the I-function - that is, in the part of the brain responsible for cognition, emotion, and feeling. It is indeed true that the symptoms of PTSD can affect mood and the nature of interpersonal interaction. However, there is strong evidence that responses to trauma are rooted in neurobiological processes independent of the I-function, and have a somatic basis. As the above excerpt states, most treatment modalities focus on the non-somatic elements of PTSD, neglecting to recognize the important physiological effects that the disorder entails.

Healing Behavioral and Biological Effects of Trauma Shenea O. Overstreet Silberman School of Social Work Part two of The Body Keeps the Score by Van der Kolk (2014), attempts to explain the effects of trauma on the physical brain, cognitive functioning, and bodily functions. Chapter four illustrates beautifully with diagrams, pictures, and anecdotal examples, how different areas of the brain are affected by traumatic experiences. Chapter five explores the physical signs of trauma in the body; it illustrates the mind in constant survival mode. Lastly, chapter six discusses the feelings of numbness and shame trauma survivors may have.

As humans, our bodies are only designed to take so much before we reach a point where we become damaged. Psychologically, if we experience more then we can handle the results of it are what’s called Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, effects a part of the brain that controls stress and nerves, which consists of the Prefrontal Cortex, the Hippocampus, and the Amygdala. Enduring traumatic stress can result in lasting changes to these parts of the brain. Damaging these parts of the brain not only effect the body physically, but can also damage an individual emotionally which effects their personal and social life.

2. Allen, J. G. (2001). Traumatic relationships and serious mental disorders. New York : Wiley.

The more overwhelming or intolerable the traumatic event is in comparison to the individuals self-capacities (ability to tolerate affect and maintain a sense of self in connection),

The second system that plays a large role in panic attacks is the hypothalamus. Along with the amygdala, the hypothalamus plays a key part in the autonomic function of the nervous system. It works to regulate homeostasis within the body as well as monitor behaviors such as drinking and eating. In the case of patients with social anxiety disorder, the hypothalamus constantly sends chemical signals to the sympathetic nervous system that can implement fight or flight response, which is often exemplified through states of panic and anxiety (Wilent, 2009). Again, with the help of the amygdala, these signals are activated through chemical receptors. Irregular stimulation of chemical receptors in the

Trauma is an inevitable aspect of life and all humans handle it in different ways. Humans have learned over time to compensate for negative experiences in life through the interactions of the mind, the body, and the brain. The ways in which they interact are exemplified by the biological systems highlighted in the essays by Oliver Sacks, Daniel Gilbert, and Martha Stout. In “The Mind’s Eye,” Sacks emphasizes that the trauma of losing one’s vision often triggers the system of the mind’s eye to improve perception beyond sight, by means of neural plasticity and language. Comparatively, Gilbert suggests in his essay “Immune to Reality” that negative situations in life can trigger the psychological immune system to provide protection from

Long-term activation of this stress-response system can lead to the disruption of almost all of the body’s processes. If this happens, the individual has an increased risk of developing numerous health problems. So, to prevent this from happening, the problem must be nipped in the bud.