Physiology Of Stress Content Flashcards
What is stress?
A state of physiological or psychological strain caused by real or perceived threats that elicit themselves in the form of stressors, tending to disturb the normal functioning of the body where a fight or flight response is needed to deal with the stressor
What are the two types of stress?
Acute stress: short-term stress
Chronic stress: prolonged/ongoing stress
What are stressors?
A mismatch between the normal demands upon an individual and their ability to meet those demands e.g not being able to do something you are meant to do
What is the SAM system also known as?
The sympathomedullary pathway
What are the responses to the two types of stress?
Acute stress: SAM system
Chronic stress: HPA axis/PAS system
Outline the short term response to stress (sympathomedullary pathway)?
Sympathetic nervous system - this branch of the ANS is alerted as soon as a stressor is received from the amygdala as an emotional response
. Electrical signal sent to two endocrine glands just above kidneys. Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline
. These stress hormones circulate around body and cause a physiological response that prepares the individual to deal with the stressor
How are immediate stressors dealt with?
A state of homeostasis is recovered once the threat has passed as the parasympathetic branch of the ANS returns the body to its normal resting state
