When a stressful event (stressor) occurs, the body prepares us for “fight or flight.” The body’s response to a stressor is automatic and arouses our autonomic nervous system. Specifically the sympathetic nervous system is called into action. The sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. As this happens, our heart rate climbs and “blood is diverted to [our] skeletal muscles” (Myers 400). Through resistance of the stressor, our “temperature, blood pressure, and respiration [all] remain heightened” (Myers 400). As the stress continues for lengthened periods, our body may deplete these resources and cause deprivation and/or illness.

The fight or flight response causes general adaptive reactions that aid in survival. Our pupils become dilated which allows us to take in more light and see more clearly. Endorphins are released and our body becomes more resistant to physical pain. Also, our judgment is reduced to more primitive instincts. As we become alarmed by a sign of danger, our body illustrates visible adaptive responses that many animals convey. One such adaptive response is “freezing,” which cuts down the sound of our movements and allows us to hear or see things acutely. This response is exemplified by the “like a deer in a headlight” analogy. Another physically visible response to a sudden danger is “shielding.” This is demonstrated when we cover our heads with our arms or when we use ourselves as a shield to cover our children.

Most of our responses to stressful events are automatic and go without cognition. It is intriguing how many of our basic instincts of survival can be attributed to other animals as well. We have a lot to be thankful of our stress response system; such as our ability to perform at peak athletic levels, or our immediate reaction to protect ourselves and others from harm.

Words: MikeyBonobo



References

Myers, David G. Exploring Psychology 8th Ed. Worth Publishers. 2011. Emotions, Stress and Health. Pgs. 399-400.

Fight-or-Flight Reaction. ChangingMinds.org. Changing Minds. 2011. http://changingminds.org/explanations/brain/fight_flight.htm

Martinez-Lavin, Manuel. Stress, the Stress Response System, and Fibromyalgia. BioMed Central Ltd. 2007. http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/ar2146.pdf

Deer-in-the-headlights photograph retrieved from google images via successfulworkplace.org