PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF STRESS: BANKRUPTCY EXAMPLE
Psychophysiological
reaction to a long term, chronic stressor.
Neurohormonal Interaction:
Cortex Stimulus (see, hear, smell danger) > Thalamus (appraisal) >Limbic System
(emotional reaction) > Hypothalamus (central control) > Pituitary (master gland)
> Adrenal (potent stress hormones).
Temporal (Time Dependent)
Stress Stages:
- Fight or Flight:
Alarm = Sympathetic Arousal Short term: Reaction for immediate crises,
emergency responses (duration is in minutes)
- SAM: SympathoAdrenoMedulla
(Hypothalamic responses) Intermediate: angry, upset, frustrated, argumentative
(duration is for hours)
- PAC: PituitaryAdrenoCortical
- effects are more long-lasting with greater damage potential (duration is
for days/weeks).
- Chronic stress: Long
term worry, guilt, worry and apprehension leads to insomnia, fatigue and illness.