By Dr. Saul McLeod, published 2010
Stress is a biological and psychological response experienced on encountering a threat that we feel we do not have the resources to deal with.
A stressor is the stimulus (or threat) that causes stress, e.g. exam, divorce, death of loved one, moving house, loss of job.
Sudden and severe stress generally produces:
- Increase in heart rate
- Increase in breathing (lungs dilate)
- Decrease in digestive activity (don’t feel hungry)
- Liver released glucose for energy
Firstly, our body judges a situation and decides whether or not it is stressful. This decision is made based on sensory input and processing (i.e. the things we see and hear in the situation) and also on stored memories (i.e. what happened the last time we were in a similar situation).
If the situation is judged as being stressful, the hypothalamus (at the base of the brain) is activated.
The hypothalamus in the brain is in charge of the stress response. When a stress response is triggered, it sends signals to two other structures: the pituitary gland, and the adrenal medulla.
These short term responses are produced by The Fight or Flight Response via the Sympathomedullary Pathway (SAM). Long term stress is regulated by the Hypothalamic Pituitary-Adrenal (
The adrenal cortex releases stress hormones called cortisol. This has a number of functions including releasing stored glucose from the liver (for energy) and controlling swelling after an injury. The immune system is suppressed while this happens.
The hypothalamus also activates the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
The ANS is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These activities are generally performed without conscious control.
The adrenal medulla secretes the hormone adrenaline. This hormone gets the body ready for a fight or flight response. Physiological reaction includes increased heart rate.
Adrenaline leads to the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and reduced activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Adrenaline creates changes in the body such as decreases (in digestion) and increases sweating, increased pulse and blood pressure.
Once the ‘threat’ is over the parasympathetic branch takes control and brings the body back into a balanced state.
No ill effects are experienced from the short-term response to stress and it further has survival value in an evolutionary context.
Currie, A. R., & Symington, T. (1955). The pathology of the pituitary and adrenal glands in systemic disease in man. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 48(11), 908.
McLeod, S. A. (2010). What is the stress response. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/stress-biology.html
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