flight or fight response

• the flight or flight response is an evolutionary survival mechanism that prepares the body to deal with a perceived threat or danger. it is an automatic physiological reaction triggered by the brain when an individual faces a stressful or threatening situation.
• it is primarily regulated by the autonomic nervous system(ANS) which has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
• the SNS is activated during stressful situations, preparing the body for action.
• the PNS is responsible for returning the body to a resting state after the threat has passed (rest and digest)
• when a threat is perceived, the amygdala in the brain is activated, which processes the emotional response to danger and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which activates the SNS
• the SNS stimulates the adrenal medulla, part of the adrenal glands, to release the hormones adrenaline into the bloodstream
• the release of adrenaline results in several physiological changes to prepare the body to confront or escape the threat:

  • increased heart rate
  • increased breathing
  • pupil dilation
  • reduced digestive activity
  • increased blood flow
• if the stressor persists over time, the HPA axis is activated, which is a slower, more sustained response. this consists of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands
• H- the hypothalamus release a chemical messenger, CRH, which is released into the bloodstream in response to the stressor
• P- on arrival at the pituitary gland, CRH causes it to produce and release ACT, and is then transported in the bloodstream to its target site in the adrenal glands
• 'A'- ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release various stress-related hormones, including cortisol.
• AO3- Taylor et al suggests that females response to stress are more characterised by a tend to befriend response rather than flight or flight. this involves protecting themselves through nurturing behaviours and forming protective alliances with other women. this different system for coping with stress because their response evolved in the context of being primary caregiver of their children, as fleeing would put their offspring at risk}