Physiological Changes Essay

They have also found that there are strong links between prolonged stress and disorders, mentally and physically. Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1995 also carried out research into the relationship between Stress and the Immune System. Kiecolt-Glaser et al 1995 = == ==

The fight-or-flight response is a very important reaction of the human body. It can help us decide whether a situation is suitable to fight back or flee for safety. In many ways the fight-or-flight response can be useful in a stressful setting that would be difficult to decide for ourselves. Think of it as a bodyguard, it protects you when your body is faced with a risky situation. Likewise, it can tell your brain if a setting is too dangerous to fight in and would be better to just run. The fight-or-flight response is a real thing and not an excuse to act cowardly in dangerous situations. Studies have proven extensive research done by Walter Cannon on the autonomic nervous system and noticeable side effects such as: the chills, increased

Stress is known to negatively impact health. Psychological responses, such as mood, emotion and coping, influence the way we perceive stress and the impact it has on the physiological response (Chida & Hamer, 2008). Past studies have used the hormone cortisol to test the stress response(Dickerson &

Once your brain has decided there’s a danger, in stressful situations, it sends immediate nerve signals down your spinal cord to the pituitary gland and all the ways to the kidneys where your adrenal gland resides, which is how adrenaline is released. Once released, adrenaline increases the amount of sugar in your blood, increases your heart rate and raises your blood pressure. The brain’s hypothalamus also sends signals to your pituitary gland, which allows the body to release Cortisol: Cortisol is a stress response that allows the blood and sugar pressure to remain high, which helps when escaping from danger. For instance, in an interview, which presents a challenge, simulated the same biological reaction that a threat to your life does.

Discuss Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman’s and stress and coping paradigm and in view of this paradigm explain age and individual difference in the experience and handling of stress

Chronic Stress affects the whole body, and especially the brain. In the brain, there is a balance of hormones, and the two stress related hormones are Epinephrine (Adrenaline) and Cortisol. Epinephrine is a hormone that is released quickly and dissipates quickly. However, Cortisol stays, and when you have too much of this stress hormone, it can cause diseases such as Osteoporosis and Heart disease. It also causes weight gain and mood swings. This increase in Cortisol actually causes brain cells to die, due to assisting in creating “free radicals”, which are unattached oxygen molecules, that punctures the brain cell walls, killing brain cells. Even though brain cells are created daily, Cortisol stops and slows the production of proteins (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that keep brain cells healthy and

People deal with stressful situations differently. However, there is an obvious fear when someone suddenly encounters a frightening situation. The acute stress response is a sudden reaction of the body prompted by a psychological disturbance over a short period. Most psychologists refer to the condition as the fight-or-flight response. When a person experiences a sudden physical or mental scare, the response is very fast. A person might decide to fight back the terrifying element or to run away, which signifies the flight aspect of the response (Lee, 2004). By 1920, few people understand this concept until Walter Cannon tried to establish the reason why an adrenaline rush occurs when an individual encounters a distressing situation.

Chapter 6 covers the fundamentals of stress disorders. After reading this chapter discussing the fight and flight response, psychological stress disorders and physical stress disorders, I have a better concept of this subject itself. Our fight and flight response is trigger by our hypothalamus, which sends off neurons and chemical for our mind and bodies to react. As discussed in class, the autonomic nervous system control the involuntary activities like heartbeat and breathing. The sympathetic nervous system is aroused when we face danger (THE FIGHT). For example, the sympathetic nervous system makes our heart beat faster when we are scared. The parasympathetic nervous system (THE FLIGHT) help make us calm, like regulating our heartbeats.

The cycle begins when the brain sees or hears something dangerous, the eyes or ears send the information to the amygdala, the amygdala then interprets the information and distress signals to the hypothalamus (Understanding the stress response). The hypothalamus then sends signals to the muscles all the way to the adrenal

Long-term alterations in the secretion include a glutocorticoid hormones cortisol via the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal access personal play crucial role in mediating the link between chronic stress exposure and ability to variety of diseases. (Stalder et al. 2012) Some of the biological consequences of such arousal were first identified by Selye (1956) as the General Adaptation Syndrome. Selye noted t h a t a principal characteristic of this response is an elevation in cortisol level. As a result of this early work and of more recent laboratory-based research, cortisol is now often regarded a s a "stress hormone" and as an objective marker of stress (Baum et al., 1982). (Pollard 1995)Registering for stressors cognitive affective states

It can cause emotional imbalance, physical ailments, and unlikely behavior. Once stress has built up, it is difficult to get rid of quickly, so it is best to manage stress every day. Noticing the stressors that trigger bad responses and dealing with them at the root is the best way to go. Applying the three important activities, exercise, sleep and meditation, are also key in keeping a healthy mind and body. It is important to remember not all stress is bad stress and one will never escape the stressors of life completely. However, even though stress effects people very differently, it is highly detrimental if not treated once it

Firstly, it is well known that long term stress has detrimental effects on the body, and the mind. One study published this year showed a possible link between cortisol, the stress hormone, and depression (Jin, et al. 2016). Another literature review published this year linked stress with increased risk of developing several mental and physical conditions, like certain cancers, arthritis, mood and

Psychological stress is a result of many factors and should be dealt with very carefully. Stress can be defined as “An excess of demand made upon the adaptive capabilities of the mind and body”.(Joseph 1). Another way of putting it, is that there are some things that put certain demands on us. The effects of stress should not be limited to unpleasant emotional states. Many studies have concluded that the effects on our physical health from stress can be extremely detrimental. These adverse physical effects include heart disease and formations of cancer. There are also some societal issues that psychological stress can hamper.

Based on these findings from research done previously I feel that this study is important. Firstly, we need to understand what causes the stressors and how it affects the individual. For example, if you have an entire university with stressed students, not being productive, not performing well academically perhaps thinking of dropping out of university because of the overwhelming anxiety; it can be detrimental to the institution in terms of status and students in terms of individual realisation. Secondly, we soon have to formulate effective and efficient stress management guidelines as we

      Stress can affect all aspects of one's mind and body.  Behaviorally, stress can cause anger, excessive crying, depression, apprehension, increased alcohol use, mood swings, and even suicide.  It can cause problems physically as well.  Anorexia, fatigue, trembling, loss of appetite, and headaches are just a few of the symptoms that overly stressed individuals may experience (Morrison 2).