The Fight or Flight Response

What is the fight or flight response?

• An evolutionary survival mechanism in response to a threat

• Primes the body and mind for extreme action, fighting for our life, or escaping the threat

• The body returns to homeostasis after the threat has passed

• The fight or flight response is not designed for the modern world, it is “maladaptive” in most situations

What is ‘acute stress’?

Common form of stress in response to immediate pressures, can be exciting in small amounts and give you focus and energy. But exhausting if maintained

What is ‘chronic stress’?

Long term form of stress in response to prolonged emotional pressure. This often occurs in situations that the individual feels unable to control

**FIGHT OR FLIGHT PROCESS

Effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline

• Increased blood flow to the brain and skeletal muscles. For quick thinking and reactions

• Decreased blood flow to systems that are not time critical. Such as the skin and the digestive and immune systems

• Dilated pupils for improved vision and faster breathing rate for increased oxygen in the blood. Increased sweat to remove heat

• Psychological effects of increased anxiety, attention and increased alertness

Stress related illness

• Constant triggering of fight or flight response in chronic stress has long term effects on physical and mental health

• Fight or flight response shuts down immune system, digestive system causes high blood pressure and results in anxiety

• Increased risk of heart disease, obesity and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). A general lowering of resistance to disease and can result in depression