The sympathomedullary response to acute stress

Cerebral Cortex.
1. Processes information.
2. Hippocampus.
  1. Hypothalamus.
    1. Direct nerve cell connections through the spine.
      1. Adrenal medullar.
        Adrenaline.
        Noradrenaline.
    2. Triggers the SAM response.
  2. Recognises threat using memory.
Bodily responses to acute stress.
1. Dilated pupils.
2. Dry mouth.
3. Bladder relaxes.
4. Heightened emotions (e.g. fear).
5. Increased blood pressure.
6. Numbing of pain.
7. Increased heart rate.
8. Liver produces more glucose to increase energy.
9. Breathing rate increases.
Taylor et al. found that acute stress produces the fight-or-flight response in men but the tend-and-befriend response in women.
1. There may be gender differences.
McCarty found that age changes the intensity of the SAM response in rats.
1. Older rats produced less adrenaline than younger rats.
  1. However research done with animals cannot necessarily be generalised to humans.

Resource summary

	Created by WhisperedWishes over 11 years ago