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2 SEM
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3 MODULE

Physiology of Stress
 Stress

Stress
is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur, resulting in physical,
emotional and intellectual responses
Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive,
keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger.Fight or Flight
Mechanism
stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of
relaxation.
 Homeostasis
homeostasis - any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability
while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival. If homeostasis is successful, life
continues; if unsuccessful, disaster or death ensues. The stability attained is actually a dynamic
equilibrium, in which continuous change occurs yet relatively uniform conditions prevail.

Stress constitutes a state of threatened homeostasis triggered by intrinsic or extrinsic adverse

forces (stressors) and is counteracted by an intricate repertoire of physiologic and behavioral
responses aiming to maintain/reestablish the optimal body equilibrium (eustasis).
 General Adaptation Syndrome ( GAS) /// STAGES OF STRESS RESPONSE

General adaptation syndrome (GAS) is a description of the process of how your body responds
to stress. The phenomenon was first identified by a scientist named Hans Selye in 1946.
GAS - the different stages of stress and how your body reacts at each stage. GAS occurs in
three stages, and each stage is characterized by a unique set of physiological changes that your
body undergoes.
The three stages are :-
● Alarm stage
● Resistance stage
● Exhaustion stage
 Stage 1 : Alarm stage

This is the first stage of general adaptation syndrome.

During this stage, your body sends a distress signal to your brain.
Your brain responds by sending a message to the body releasing hormones
called glucocorticoids and adrenaline; these are also known as your “fight or
flight” hormones.
During the alarm reaction stage, you’ll also experience elevated blood pressure
and heart rate levels.
Stage 2 : Resistance Stage

The resistance stage occurs after the reaction stage.

During this stage, your body tries to thwart the changes that occurred during the reaction
stage employing the parasympathetic nervous system
. It typically occurs when whatever was triggering your stress has stopped.
If you remain stressed, the reaction stage will persist. In the resistance stage, body begins to
lower blood pressure and heart rate.
It also reduces the amount of adrenaline and cortisol being produced.
The body, however, remains on alert in this stage and can easily switch back to the alarm
stage if the stressor persists.
 Stage 3 : Exhaustion Stage

Stress puts body through a toll, and the exhaustion stage occurs after prolonged stress.

The body experiences this stage after the body has gone through an extended period of stress.

Here, even if the stressor persists, the body is too depleted to continue to combat it.

This is the riskiest stage of general adaptation syndrome, as this stage is most prone to
developing health conditions here.
Stage related Symptoms

Elevated blood pressure Irritability

Heart rate quickens Poor concentration Anxiety
Pupils dilate Frustration Cognitive difficulties
Senses become heightened Depression
Skin flushes Fatigue
Insomnia
Types of stress
● Acute stress
● Episodic stress
● Chronic stress
Acute stress

An acute stress reaction occurs when a person experiences certain symptoms after a particularly stressful event. The word 'acute' means the symptoms develop quickly
but do not last long. The events are usually very severe and an acute stress reaction typically occurs after an unexpected life crisis or trauma

An acute stress reaction usually resolves within 2 to 3 days (often hours) or a month.

Physical symptoms such as:

● A 'thumping heart' (palpitations).

● A feeling of sickness (nausea).
● Chest pain.
● Headaches
● .Pupil dilation
● Abdomina pains.
● Breathing difficulties.
● Feeling emotionally numb and detached from others.
● Avoidance of anything that will trigger memories. This may mean avoiding people, conversations, or other situations, as they cause distress and anxiety.
Episodic stress

ople experience these mini-crises regularly and live in a state of tension.

Some pe

They may be taking on too much or simply be overburdened by their lives. If you tend to worry, your body will be tense or angry.

The symptoms are similar but occur more often and accumulate.

Over time, a pattern of episodic acute stress can wear away at your relationships and work.

Many people also slowly give up pursuing pleasurable activities or meaningful goals or pursue wrong coping mechanisms. Like drinking
etc..

Muscle tension

Poor concentration

Feeling overwhelmed

Uncontrolled anger and irritability

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress is stress that seems never-ending and inescapable, like the stress of a bad marriage or an
extremely taxing job; chronic stress can also stem from traumatic experiences and childhood trauma.

Chronic stress is the result of stressors that continue for a long period of time.

This type of stress feels never-ending. We often have difficulty seeing any way to improve or change the
situation that is the cause of our chronic stress.

Weight gain, Heightened levels of adrenaline and cortisol., Insomnia, Panic attacks etc.
Eustress and Distress
Panic attacks
Fight Or Flight Response

Physiological response

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as
stressful or frightening. The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers
an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee. These responses are evolutionary
adaptations to increase chances of survival in threatening situations. Overly frequent, intense, or
inappropriate activation of the fight or flight response is implicated in a range of clinical conditions
including most anxiety disorders.
Fight Or Flight Response

Psychological responses

In addition to physiological reactions there is also a psychological component to fight or flight response.
Automatic reactions include a quickening of thought and an attentional focus on salient targets such as
the source of the threat and potential avenues for escape. Secondary psychological responses can include
appraisals about the meaning of the body reactions.
How stress effects your physiology
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 (
Chronic stress response: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) system.

The Hypothalamic Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) System

The Pituitary-Adrenal System

Stressor activates the Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis

● The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland

● The pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
● ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce the hormone corticosteroid
● Cortisol enables the body to maintain steady supplies of blood sugar

Adequate and steady blood sugar levels help a person to cope with prolonged stressor, and helps the body to return to
normal

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.
Sympathomedullary Pathway (SAM)

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 .adrelnaline 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.

Ill effects are experienced from the short-term response to stress and it further has survival value in an
evolutionary context.
Hypothalamo - Pitutary - Adrenal Axis
Stress management

Also

Support systems

Organization skillss

Community service
Please note:🛑🛑

Do read the document regarding involvement

of hormones in stress response…