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What is Stress?What is Stress?
A state of physiological or psychological A state of physiological or psychological strain caused by adverse stimuli (physical, strain caused by adverse stimuli (physical, mental, internal or external) that tend to mental, internal or external) that tend to disturb the functioning of an organism. disturb the functioning of an organism.
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Physiological Stress ResponsePhysiological Stress Response
Sudden and severe stress generally produces:Sudden and severe stress generally produces: Increase in heart rateIncrease in heart rate Alterations in digestive activityAlterations in digestive activity Skin becomes paleSkin becomes pale Sweating increasesSweating increases Muscular tremorsMuscular tremors
These responses are produced by the These responses are produced by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPAA)Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPAA)
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Physiological Stress ResponsePhysiological Stress ResponseHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The stress response occurs when we are exposed to some sort of threat.
It involves co-ordinated responses from a number of different systems and structures
Sympathetic ganglia
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The HypothalamusThe HypothalamusHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The hypothalamus 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 sympathetic ganglia.
Sympathetic ganglia
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The Pituitary GlandThe Pituitary GlandHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The pituitary gland controls the glands of the endocrine system.
When activated by the hypothalamus it releases ACTH, which activates the adrenal cortex.
Sympathetic ganglia
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The Sympathetic GangliaThe Sympathetic GangliaHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The sympathetic ganglia are connected to the internal organs. When activated they affect the functioning of the lungs, heart and digestive system.
They are also connected to the adrenal medulla
Sympathetic ganglia
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The Adrenal CortexThe Adrenal CortexHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal cortex releases chemicals called corticosteriods.
These have a number of functions including releasing stored glucose and controlling swelling after injury.
Sympathetic ganglia
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The Adrenal MedullaThe Adrenal MedullaHypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline.
This hormone stimulates the sympathetic ganglia, keeping their activity at a high level.
Sympathetic ganglia
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Fight or Flight ResponseFight or Flight Response
Increase oxygen intake
Release stored glucose
Divert resources away from digestion
Ready to expend energy, either by fighting or by running away
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The Fight or Flight ResponseThe Fight or Flight Response
An early evolutionary adaptation that is An early evolutionary adaptation that is useful in dealing with physical threatsuseful in dealing with physical threats
Helps us deal with short-term problems Helps us deal with short-term problems that can be solved by fighting or runningthat can be solved by fighting or running
Unfortunately, many of the threats we face Unfortunately, many of the threats we face in our society do not fall into these in our society do not fall into these categories…categories…
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