The explanation behind our biologically-instinctive reactions of either confronting or escaping: Uncovering the physiological and psychological dimensions of the body's stress response mechanisms.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the fight-or-flight response — an automatic physiological reaction to perceived threats — continues to play a significant role in how humans respond to stressors, even though these stressors are often non-life-threatening[1].
This response, which was evolutionarily designed to prepare the body for immediate action, is initiated when the brain perceives a threat and activates the amygdala, which sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus[2]. The hypothalamus, in turn, triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which releases stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, causing physical changes such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels[1][4].
However, in modern contexts, the fight-or-flight system is often chronically activated due to psychological and persistent stressors, such as ongoing job stress or relational conflicts[3]. This chronic activation leads to prolonged cortisol exposure, which can damage brain structures involved in emotional regulation, increasing anxiety and emotional sensitivity[4].
Moreover, difficulty returning to homeostasis, or a state of balance, is a common consequence of chronic stress. This state of heightened alert without physical resolution or escape can cause fatigue, irritability, and cognitive disruption[2]. In some cases, individuals may experience a "freeze" response, characterized by immobility or dissociation[3][5].
Chronic stress can also lead to negative health consequences, such as cardiovascular issues, including heart disease, hypertension, and stroke[6]. Furthermore, it can contribute to mental health challenges, such as anxiety disorders and depression[1][3][4]. Prolonged stress can also disrupt hormone levels, affecting appetite, sleep, and reproductive health[1].
Managing modern stress requires interventions that interrupt this cycle and help the body return to baseline. Mindfulness, therapy, and stress reduction techniques are effective ways to achieve this[5]. It is essential to recognise that while the fight-or-flight response was essential for survival in ancestral environments, modern stressors often do not require physical action, and chronic activation due to ongoing stress can have negative consequences for health and well-being.
References:
[1] Sapolsky, R. M. (2017). Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.
[2] McEwen, B. S. (2007). The End of Stress as We Know It. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8(7), 563-570.
[3] van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
[4] Cahill, L., & McGaugh, J. L. (2006). The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory: Molecules, Synapses, and Circuitry. Oxford University Press.
[5] Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. Delta.
[6] Steptoe, A., & Kivimäki, M. (2012). Stress, Behaviour, and Health. Oxford University Press.
