I thought it might be helpful to know more about the so-called stress-response. If you would like the references, let me know. I hope this contributes to our knowledge.
The Stress Response
Evolution required the development of instinctual survival behaviors and neurobiological mechanisms to cope with a variety of life-threatening situations. When exposed to acute stress or trauma, the human being has to respond and adapt quickly. Depending on the circumstances the individual might freeze, escape, or attack (Blanchard & Blanchard, 1988). During the last century scientists such as Walter Cannon (Cannon, 1932; Cannon, 1935; Cannon, & de la Paz, 1911), Hans Selye (Selye, 1946; Selye, 1955; Selye, 1973) and John Mason (Mason, 1971; Mason, 1975) had a major influence upon the currently used stress theory. Hans Selye first introduced the term “General Adaptation Syndrome” in 1946 and his theoretical propositions and empirical findings provided many of the principles currently used in stress research. The “General Adaptation Syndrome” is defined as the sum of all non-specific, systemic reactions of the body which ensue upon long continued exposure to stress (Selye, 1973). Selye assumed the response always to be the same, regardless of what happened to elicit it. He characterized the stress response by three consecutive stages. The first two stages are the alarm reaction and the resistance/adaptation stage. If the stressor is not removed, the exhaustion stage and death will follow. Selye described that during the alarm reaction an initial surge of glucocorticosteroids is followed by a depletion of stored glucocorticosteroids, a state he referred to as “shock.” The stage of resistance shows adaptation to be at its best, allowing for an increase in corticoid secretory granules. During the final stage, the stage of exhaustion, the acquired adaptation had vanished and glucocorticosteroids are depleted (Selye, 1955; Selye, 1973).
The initial alarm reaction, the Fight-or-Flight response, and the mobilization of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in response to a threat were first described by Walter Cannon (Cannon, 1932). The Fight-or-Flight response is a highly evolved mechanism that involves detecting danger, experiencing fear, and setting off the sequence of adaptive escape and defensive responses, characterized physiologically by sympathetic nervous system activation, hypervigilance, and tuning out of all non-critical information.
The instinctual arousal response reflexively triggers the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the medulla, or center of the adrenal glands…. Adrenaline stimulates the heart to beat faster and stronger, immediately increasing the amount of blood that is pumped throughout the body. To allow this blood to reach the correct organs to enhance strength and speed, adrenaline dilates the blood vessels that feed the brain and the skeletal muscles. It simultaneously constricts the blood vessels that feed the organs of digestion, including the liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestines. One doesn’t need to digest food when immediate survival is at stake. One does, however need immediate access to glucose, the primary source of energy for the brain and muscles. The major storehouses for glucose are the muscles themselves as well as the liver, where glucose is stored in form of a chemical called glycogen [emphasis in original]. Adrenaline stimulates the liver to break down its stored glycogen into glucose and to release that glucose into the bloodstream for immediate energy utilization. The brain needs more blood, oxygen, and glucose to direct the process, and it receives them through the dilating of its blood vessels….The same process that sets up adrenaline release also influences the pituitary gland, the master gland of the endocrine system, to release a hormone that specifically influences the adrenal cortex, or outer layer of the adrenal glands. Through secretion of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), the pituitary influences the release of cortisol by the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has several different functions that basically prepare the threatened or stressed animal to tolerate and mange a threat or stress if it persists for very long. (Scaer, 2005, p. 206–207)
Whether the individual fights or flees depends on the individual’s perception of the threat. In addition, Perry at al. (1995) point out that infants and children are less likely to use the Fight-or-Flight response and that response patterns will vary depending on the different stages of development. If the individual believes that he or she has a realistic chance of overcoming the threat, the response might be to attack. In circumstances in which the threat is perceived to be more frightening, it is more probable that the individual will try to escape.
An individual exposed to severe traumatic stressors utilizes the same neurobiological mechanisms that are activated following exposure to a less severe (“normal”) stressor. With “normal” amounts of stress, these neurobiological mechanisms facilitate a process that allows the individual to function with greater endurance, strength and immunity. Successful adaptation is followed by a restoration of normal allostatic balance. Allostatic balance refers to a mechanism maintaining stability or homeostasis through change (McEwen, 2004). In the event that the individual does not have the needed resources or can not escape the traumatic environment, the mal-adaptation may disturb the healthy allostatic balance of the brain. Although this state is stable, it leads to changes that deviate significantly from normative neurobiological standards (Friedman, 1995).
From the time when Selye published his understanding of the stress response the scientific and clinical view has evolved, and researchers have recognized that there are vast individual differences regarding the capacity to cope with a traumatic event, both gender and how individuals respond to different and to the same stressors (Yehuda & McEwen, 2004). Rather than the threat per se, it is the individual’s perception of and response to a threat that can lead to neurophysiological (low encephalographic coherence), neurochemical (elevated levels of stress hormone, cortisol, and suppressed metabolism of the “well-being” neurotransmitter, serotonin), and neuroanatomical (hippocampal shrinkage) changes; as well as alteration in gene expression and behavior (Bremner, 2002; Foa, Keane & Friedman 2000; Teicher 2003). The brain’s ability to grow and change, to adapt and recreate, to organize in a “use-dependent” fashion (Perry, 2001b) is also true in regard to how this complex structure is impacted by chronic stress and trauma. The more any neural system is activated, the more it will change over time.
Key components of the stress response are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system (most commonly known as the HPA axis), the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system, and the extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) system. These three systems prepare the body for the Fight-or- Flight response. The HPA axis is involved in the secretion of hormones from the pituitary and adrenal cortex. The LC-NE and CRH systems are the main pathways in the brain that encode the response to stress. In general, stress-induced activation of these systems leads to sympathetic activation, characterized by increased flow of glucose and oxygen to the muscles and brain, adrenomedullary discharge of epinephrine, vasoconstriction, increased heart rate and blood pressure, enhanced arousal, and focused attention (Friedman, Charney & Deutch, 1995; Friedman, M. J. & U. S. D. o. V. Affairs, 2001; Yehuda, & McEwen, 2004).
In addition to the described Fight-or-Flight response a third response to a perceived or actual threat is the parasympathetically mediated immobilization or freezing response (LeDoux & Gorman, 2001; Perry et al., 1996; Rothschild, 2000). In the freezing response, the organism instinctively constricts; the energy that would have been discharged by executing the Fight-or-Flight strategy is amplified and bound up in the nervous system. The constriction, if not integrated emotionally as well as physiologically, creates profound and lasting changes in physiological arousal, emotion, cognition, and memory. The autonomic nervous system is put on permanent alert, and the physiological activation and feelings of “intense fear, helplessness, loss of control, and threat of annihilation” (J. L. Herman, 1997, p. 33) stemming from the original traumatic event, continue (Levine, 1997).
excellant article. I don’t believe we thought much about the stress load. I think about it alot. The woman’s role really undergoes a significant change, due to the stress. The man’s does too, but I believe the woman takes on a bit more of the stress. And when the stress becomes to bad, you start making mistakes. Those of us whom are prone to panic attacks, will find it harder to cope, than most. I’m trying to think of ways to deal with the stress, I already know, and imagine the stress that will be. In going through a mental walk through of one of my plans, I started to feel hopeless. Not knowing how long the situation will last, doesn’t help any. My only solitude is hopefully my family can establish a regular routine, which in turn hopefully will help to alleviate the stress factor. I’m going to push for a regular routine as quickly as I can. This is where homeschooling will become essential, for several reasons.
Having had a very severe migraine attack (which only lasted an hour) could well have been brought on by stress. It is one of the triggers for so many problems. I think I know what brought my aura on, but many people don’t realize how so many physical problems can be brought on by a combination of factors, with stress being one component, and possibly the precipitating factor.
A large segment of the population today is suffering from similar physiological effects to Post Traumatic Stress due to our in-depth and consistent stimulation coupled with overscheduling and malnutrition.
Most overweight people are malnourished, so don’t look for the typical anorexic in my first statement. Free cortisol from the stress continues in many of us to circulate past its useful life.
Recurrent, deep headaches and other signs are early warning signals of a rapidly depleting endocrine system, an overworked liver, an intrinsic & systemic failure of cytokinic regulation and a mind that never rests well.
Are we kidding ourselves that we can ‘ re boot’ the brain with meditation, sleep, excercise, etc? Or does that really help? Also, I do think ‘reframing’ (changing our self talk) can help us perceive stressors in a less threatening way. Am I wrong? I don’t have the education or expertise to sort through all the info available. What practical steps can an individual take to prepare for upcoming big stressors? How do we build resilience into our brain?
kc_quiet, they can’t hurt, those things you mentioned.
“The autonomic nervous system is put on permanent alert, and the physiological activation and feelings of “intense fear, helplessness, loss of control, and threat of annihilation”
(Whistling, kicking toe in the dirt, “eying possible exits”…)
“Self-talk; maybe, we can improve, but, what gets me is,
political candiates who “have no public positon on pandemic preparedness”, health, emergency, and school officials who “see no need to tell the public anything further at this time” for fear of “bad outcomes”, people who “have to” sign up as many Medical Reserve Corps volunteers as possible, who will not give disclosure on current cfr, and hard vaccine and antiviral realities, talking “all-hazards”, instead of “pandemic influenza year”.
Stress! We’ll do what we can. (Sure glad the Flu Wiki helps us know we’re not alone, and other occaisional sucesses keep us re-inspired to keep trying.)
Good news guys. About a week back I read a good study with good methodology (with human subjects) that was reported on one of the major science feeds that I track daily, maybe ScienceDaily. (I did not save it). By drinking several cups of black tea a day you can drastically cut the release of the cortisol that is associated with stress. You still feel stressed, BUT you don’t have all that cortisol corroding your arteries, setting up general inflammation in your body, and decreasing your feelings of well-being (other than what could be caused by a realistic appraisal of your situation). : )
So stock up on that Black Tea and while you are at it the Greeen Tea, too, (the “tea mind” effect is real and the chemical released by the ingestion of Green Tea that creates “tea mind” has been documented).
And the caffeine is not excessive, and it gives you a nice buzz. (In fact, I have a little buzz going on this morning).
Medical Maven: That explains why black tea is recommended for losing weight. I could not figure out why - thought it was maybe to help reduce water retention. In that cortisol puts weight on maturing women (especially, it now makes sense why it is recommended for weight control and loss. Going to go make some right now!
will stock that along with my chamomile for variety. good tip. Love my teas.
They say high doses of green tea will rev up the metabolism enough to use up 60 to 100 calories. I think they are bringing out a new drink with green tea and will advertize it that way. Had a challenging day. Lost my car keys in a store about 50 miles away from home. Noone found them. (I thought I had dropped them in a shopping cart, but when I looked at the carts it wasn’t there. Got a lift to my dealership, but they are doing their repair work out as they are expanding. Got a skeleton key made up, and the girl ar the dealership arranged for a tow. Got a ride back to my car. Stopped at the store one last time and someone found the keys in the cart they where using. (They didn’t bother calling me though I had left my cell phone number.) The tow truck pulled over just as I was calling to cancel. Then I called the service of my dealership and said all was well, but I would be stopping to have two keys made up. I was frazzled to say the least, but the day was sunny, my dealership personel as usual were super helpful, and I left some sugared pecans for the girl who made all the calls for me. I immediatly drank a lot of tea as I was all wired up, the adrenaline working overtime, and I needed to put myself back into a more normal mode of reacting., so I sat for a while until I disn’t feel so hyper alert. The store personal (young girls), sucked, they didn’t give a hoot., why should they, after all whats the big deal. The dealership went into overdrive to help, and the lifts I got came just at the exact moment I needed them. If it was nite, If it was raining I’m sure I would have been pretty much of a mess. As it was, I was wired up. I think I’ll get a lanyard and keep a car and house key around me at all times when I am out. As one man said when I recounted my week, this is the third problem so it should be over. Am superstitious as all get out and hope its so. Still, I think I”m going to keep some Sobe Green and Black tea in the car with a few tea bags to punch it up. Thank god for American friendliness and cooperation.Oh it is Friday the thirteenth. Will go to a fun lecture with Bram Stoker and another horror writer Re-enactors all gussied up in period dress.
Yesterdays stress, while not that terrible ,depleted me. I was washed out when I got home. Still feel as if I had been pummeled, muscles ache, tired. It must be that you are tensed up and every muscle reacts as well as the adrenaline rush.I will double up on the vitamins and minerals for a few days.I think I’ll do those free Berkeley educational courses on the body. They are on Musculature, Neurology, Skeletal systems etc. The more we can understand our autonomic and sympathetic nervous systems the better for us if we want to survive a pandemic or worse a combination of catastrophic events.
I’m going to print out the original posting. I experienced it in a small way yesterday. Nothing major but enough .
Took a mess of herbals and am back to normal. Most of the people here probably pay closer attention to their families well being than their own. I know I did. Now that I have no real backup I am paying close attention to my own state of being. It may serve you well to keep close watch on yourselves, so that you don’t get overstressed or overtired and nip any condition in the bud. A good doctor is fine, but you are your own best judge of everything that is going on in the body which carries you around. We are little chemical factories. One thing amiss and its like a house built of cards. Remove one and it might remain standing, remove two or three and its bound to collapse.
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