4A - Internal and External stressors

stressor

any event that causes stress or is perceived as a threat and a challenge to our ability to cope

stress

a state of mental, emotional and physiological tension, resulting from a stressor

internal stressor

a cause of stress that originates within an individual; can be both psychological and biological/physiological

external stressor

a cause of stress that originates from outside an individual, such as an event or environmental extreme

acute stress

stress that usually occurs because of a sudden threat and only lasts for a short time

chronic stress

stress that lasts for a long time

fight-flight-freeze response

an automatic biological response to a perceived stressor that increases our chances of survival in our environment

cortisol

a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates a wide range of bodily processes, including metabolism, and is released in response to stress