THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS OF STRESS
FLIGHT / FIGHT / FREEZE Stress is a very normal response. It is intended to get us out of difficult situations. In pre-historic times its function was to get us out of the way of preying animals. When we were facing an attack by a woolly mammoth our brain would register the imminent danger and trigger certain hormonal and chemical reactions. These equipped the body to deal with the threat by fighting, running away (flight) or hiding freezed
ALARM PHASE When we sense a threat the hypothalamus in the brain signals the adrenal glands (near the kidneys) to release adrenalin into the bloodstream. This increases heartbeat and breathing becomes rapid but shallow. Blood flows from the skin, heart, lungs, liver etc and into the large muscles of the body and the brain taking blood sugars (glycogen released by the liver) to the parts of the body that will require extra energy for their response to the danger. As a result of this redistribution we look pale and our hands and feet become cooler (& often clammy). STAGE 1 Other things are also going on in the body. Ø Another hormone, ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) is released activating the adrenal glands further. Ø They now release corticoids into the bloodstream carrying messages to other glands and organs. The spleen, for example, is “told” to release more red blood cells into the blood stream. These carry oxygen and nourishment that are needed because of the extra demands being placed on the body at this time. Ø The ability of the blood to clot is increased, in case there is an injury from any fighting. Ø Vitamins B & C and sucrose are released by the liver for carriage to the muscles. Ø The stomach releases hydrochloric acid – something it only does for digestion of food in normal circumstances. Ø A further response is muscle tension – especially of the back, shoulders and neck and may result in a “tension headache”. Noting tension is a good initial way of measuring or recognizing stress; dealing with tension can be the first step in gaining control.
One other hormone is released and this is noradrenalin. Adrenalin and cortisone are the ‘anxiety’ hormones; noradrenalin gives feelings of euphoria and satisfaction – often termed positive stress.
STAGE 2 In the second stage of stress the distinctive reactions of the alarm stage fade and disappear and the body returns to ‘normal’. It is at this point that we feel we have satisfactorily coped with the threat/stressful situation. Most of the time this is true. Interviews, wedding day etc are stressful but the stress is soon over and after a rest and with good diet the body can recuperate.
PLATEAU OF RESISTANCE However, if the body remains in the alarm phase for long we enter a phase called the plateau of resistance. All the hormonal and chemical changes in the body continue and the body begins to adapt. The immune system kicks in and cortisol is released which help the body resist stress and disease. STAGE 3 Ø If the body remains under pressure, new symptoms begin to emerge. The chemicals produced in the flight or fight response can damage coronary arteries, injure the heart and cause angina.
Prolonged release of corticoids makes you less resistant to illness especially naturally occurring cancer cells hence the link between stress and cancer.
After actively fighting stress for some time the body needs to replenish depleted resources – to ‘recharge the batteries’. The body becomes increasingly vulnerable to disease and the conditions we associate with stress begin to show themselves. If no respite comes the final stage is exhaustion or burnout.
The problem lies not with the pressure / stress of today, but the form it takes. All the responses mentioned are because of a perceived threat – a ‘woolly mammoth’. Years ago these threats were physical and flight or fight was a more appropriate response. Nowadays, our threats are more likely to be internal and the response a mental one. They also come more frequently than in prehistoric times.
FLIGHT / FIGHT / FREEZE Stress is a very normal response. It is intended to get us out of difficult situations. In pre-historic times its function was to get us out of the way of preying animals. When we were facing an attack by a woolly mammoth our brain would register the imminent danger and trigger certain hormonal and chemical reactions. These equipped the body to deal with the threat by fighting, running away (flight) or hiding freezed
ALARM PHASE When we sense a threat the hypothalamus in the brain signals the adrenal glands (near the kidneys) to release adrenalin into the bloodstream. This increases heartbeat and breathing becomes rapid but shallow. Blood flows from the skin, heart, lungs, liver etc and into the large muscles of the body and the brain taking blood sugars (glycogen released by the liver) to the parts of the body that will require extra energy for their response to the danger. As a result of this redistribution we look pale and our hands and feet become cooler (& often clammy). STAGE 1 Other things are also going on in the body. Ø Another hormone, ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) is released activating the adrenal glands further. Ø They now release corticoids into the bloodstream carrying messages to other glands and organs. The spleen, for example, is “told” to release more red blood cells into the blood stream. These carry oxygen and nourishment that are needed because of the extra demands being placed on the body at this time. Ø The ability of the blood to clot is increased, in case there is an injury from any fighting. Ø Vitamins B & C and sucrose are released by the liver for carriage to the muscles. Ø The stomach releases hydrochloric acid – something it only does for digestion of food in normal circumstances. Ø A further response is muscle tension – especially of the back, shoulders and neck and may result in a “tension headache”. Noting tension is a good initial way of measuring or recognizing stress; dealing with tension can be the first step in gaining control.
One other hormone is released and this is noradrenalin. Adrenalin and cortisone are the ‘anxiety’ hormones; noradrenalin gives feelings of euphoria and satisfaction – often termed positive stress.
STAGE 2 In the second stage of stress the distinctive reactions of the alarm stage fade and disappear and the body returns to ‘normal’. It is at this point that we feel we have satisfactorily coped with the threat/stressful situation. Most of the time this is true. Interviews, wedding day etc are stressful but the stress is soon over and after a rest and with good diet the body can recuperate.
PLATEAU OF RESISTANCE However, if the body remains in the alarm phase for long we enter a phase called the plateau of resistance. All the hormonal and chemical changes in the body continue and the body begins to adapt. The immune system kicks in and cortisol is released which help the body resist stress and disease. STAGE 3 Ø If the body remains under pressure, new symptoms begin to emerge. The chemicals produced in the flight or fight response can damage coronary arteries, injure the heart and cause angina.
Prolonged release of corticoids makes you less resistant to illness especially naturally occurring cancer cells hence the link between stress and cancer.
After actively fighting stress for some time the body needs to replenish depleted resources – to ‘recharge the batteries’. The body becomes increasingly vulnerable to disease and the conditions we associate with stress begin to show themselves. If no respite comes the final stage is exhaustion or burnout.
The problem lies not with the pressure / stress of today, but the form it takes. All the responses mentioned are because of a perceived threat – a ‘woolly mammoth’. Years ago these threats were physical and flight or fight was a more appropriate response. Nowadays, our threats are more likely to be internal and the response a mental one. They also come more frequently than in prehistoric times.