PMDB25H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Hans Selye, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System
Document Summary
The term stress has been described as a nonspecific body response to a stressor. Stressors are internal perceptions or external events that cause the body"s autonomic nervous system to respond, to protect the body. Internal stressors are products of emotions, and are referred to as anxieties. External stressors result from external events or observations and involve a sensation or fright or fearfulness. The body"s response is the sane as for internal stressors, except that the duration of the stress is controlled by the external event. The most common cause of stress is change. Cumulative stress may become chronic depending on the intensity and duration of the stressors. It is interesting to note that men and women respond differently to stress. Men often become physically or verbally aggressive, and may also use denial as a defense mechanism. Women on the other hand often internalize their stress, mulling it over and over again in their minds.
